As many as 78% of adland professionals believe that companies within the industry aren’t doing enough to support their employees’ mental health, according to a damning piece of IPA research.
As a result, IPA president and GroupM CEO, Josh Krichefski has called on agencies to prove that they are investing in and developing better frameworks for employee mental health support, instead of simply offering up platitudes.
Worryingly, the industry body’s survey also found that a staggering 83% of adland staff feel concerned about taking time off when there’s a high workload, indicating the high levels of stress prevalent within the sector.
The IPA will ask agencies to implement clearly signposted monitoring processes, checks and action in a bid to make them fully accountable to their employees.
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“As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. But this takes commitment – demonstrable commitment – and investment from the top down. What’s crucial is to embed it into the culture and everyday workings of your organisation,” Krichefski said.
“We must integrate mental health and wellbeing and not view it as an add-on. This is why it is vital that agency leaders commit to and evidence their activity in this area.”
Agencies that follow the IPA’s guidelines will be awarded the ‘People First Promise’ badge of honour, making them a more attractive proposition to potential new staff looking for a healthy work-life balance.
