A lot of life’s biggest moments don’t arrive on a schedule. Publicis Groupe NZ shares how it supports its people throughout all of those various stages.
A cancer diagnosis, becoming a parent, caring for an ageing parent, or supporting a loved one through a difficult time can change everything in an instant.
While flexibility matters, real support reflects the realities people face at different stages of life. The organisations that attract and retain great people are often those that recognise work is only one part of a person’s story.
Publicis Groupe NZ head of people and culture Jayde Hill says the focus should be on “meeting people where they are, and making sure they feel equipped, understood and supported as their lives evolve”.
Beyond flexibility
Serious illness is one of the clearest points where work and life intersect, often bringing uncertainty not only about health, but also about financial security and employment.
Since 1993, cancer has been the leading cause of death in New Zealand*. Almost four years ago, Publicis Groupe launched its global Working with Cancer initiative to help remove the stigma of cancer in the workplace and provide people facing cancer or other serious illness with job and salary security for up to 12 months.
For those taking on a primary caregiver role for an immediate family member, tailored personal and professional support is also available.
“This is where support moves beyond flexibility and into certainty. Working with Cancer was designed to challenge the stigma that still surrounds serious illness in workplaces. At a time when someone should be focused on treatment and recovery, removing financial stress and professional uncertainty can make a meaningful difference,” Hill says.
The relief is everything
Working with Cancer continues to evolve, most recently with an increased focus on prevention and screening. Free skin cancer screenings are offered to Publicis people for greater support, alongside dedicated wellbeing leave and time to attend medical checks.
Jude Gratten, TV Manager at MBM, experienced first-hand the impact of Publicis Groupe’s Working with Cancer policy, after being diagnosed with stage 4 B cell lymphoma.
“When I realised the level of support that ‘Working with Cancer’ would provide, the relief I felt was everything. It meant so much to work for a company that offered this kind of programme. MBM truly went above and beyond with this policy, and it made an incredibly difficult time so much more manageable. It gave my family and I real peace of mind, and I’m forever grateful,” she says.
Inclusive framework
Supporting people through illness is one part of Publicis Groupe’s broader philosophy. Five years ago, the company reviewed its paid leave policies to create a more inclusive framework that better reflects the realities of people’s lives beyond work.
As a result, paid entitlements include Menopause Leave (10 days), Gender Affirmation Leave (10 days), Domestic and Family Violence Leave (10 days), Fertility Treatment Leave (10 days) and Miscarriage, Termination and Stillbirth Leave (five days).
The company also changed Personal Leave to Wellbeing Leave, in recognition that when people get sick, it can be for physical or mental health reasons.
Hill says: “Everyone faces different challenges at different stages of life. These leave entitlements recognise that health and wellbeing extend beyond physical illness. They’re designed to support people through experiences that can have a significant impact on their lives, so they don’t have to separate what they’re going through personally from their working lives.”
Supporting working parents
For working parents, the challenges can look different again. New Zealand has some of the highest childcare costs in the OECD, and balancing work with family responsibilities often requires more than good intentions. Access to flexible arrangements, practical support and opportunities to connect with other parents can make a significant difference to whether parents remain and thrive in the workforce.
“Parenthood is one of life’s biggest transitions, and there’s no playbook for navigating it,” Hill says. “Through our Empowered Parents Programme, employees can access coaching designed to make the transition back to work smoother and more supported. The programme is available to all parents and caregivers, including LGBTQIA+ families.”
Meanwhile, Cub Care Days give Publicis parents an additional five days paid leave when children are unwell or need extra support, without drawing on their wellbeing leave.
Breakout Room designer Gareth McDade says: “As a dad of two, Cub Care has been a valuable safety net because it gives me access to extra days when they fall ill. Knowing that time was there gave my wife and I flexibility when it mattered most and removed a lot of potential stress. It’s a simple benefit, but one that shows Publicis Groupe understands that parenting doesn’t always follow a schedule.”
The real test of support
The advertising and communications industry prides itself on understanding people, but that’s only part of the equation. The real challenge is building workplaces that reflect the realities of people’s lives.
As the ecosystem of work undergoes significant transformation and the way we work continues to evolve, the question is no longer how organisations create a good people experience. It’s how they recognise and respond to those people’s life experiences.
Sources:
*Cancer statistics NZ: Common cancers, survival, and challenges, policywise.co.nz
