GroupM has partnered with workplace advisory Parents at Work to launch an online Families Hub to provide extra resources for employees and tools for managers to help balance work and home life.
Parents at Work is a membership-based organisation providing work and family education, and policy advisory services. The partnership will give GroupM’s managers and people leaders access to additional tools and knowledge to successfully support their team members.
Employees can hone into interactive resources, webinars, podcasts and courses on the hub. They cover topics including Preparing for Parental Leave, Career Life Alignment, Working Dads, Balance & Wellbeing, Raising Toddlers or Teens, and Navigating Aged Care.
The hub also provides one-to-one coaching for managers and for people approaching or returning from parental leave, to facilitate the transition.
GroupM Australia chief people officer Cindy Grass says Covid has highlighted the need to manage home and work life.
“Supporting our people is the most important thing that we do as an organisation. We know that juggling work and home life is a challenge whatever your situation, and during the pandemic and our current lockdowns that has only become more apparent.”
Grass says the hub complements GroupM’s current programs and policies.
GroupM’s existing employee benefits package includes a commitment to flexible work. Since 2015, GroupM in Australia has offered 16 weeks’ parental leave. The personal leave policy includes a provision for mental health days, domestic & family abuse support, additional leave for birthdays, volunteering, Summer Days (five additional half days off during Summer), and regular Training Days to support personal and career development.
GroupM APAC CEO and GroupM Australia acting CEO Ashutosh Srivastava says the partnership with Parents at Work offers staff an additional layer of support and assistance.
“GroupM’s employee promise is that we want all our people to have a fulfilling career. We also believe that work is a part of life, and not the other way round,” Srivastava says.
“The future of work at GroupM is more flexible, more collaborative, and more focused on how we come together in ways that are good for everyone’s wellbeing and for how we deliver for our clients."
Throughout Australia’s recent lockdowns, GroupM agencies have supported working parents with a number of initiatives and increased flexibility. The latest staff perk is advice for working parents from parenting author and educator Maggie Dent. GroupM is also providing weekly fun & games sessions for GroupM Kids to help parents entertain their children at home.
In true lockdown style, GroupM staff marked the launch of Families Hub this week with a virtual event to share and celebrate inspiring family stories, and experiences from across the business.
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