WPP, the British advertising giant, has offered counselling to “unsettled” US staff amid an outcry over the heavy-handed tactics of Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement regime.
The company, led by American chief executive Cindy Rose, also opened the door for employees to take time off work following fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents, including two in Minneapolis in January.
In an email to staff on Thursday, WPP’s chief people officer Marie-Claire Barker said: “We know that recent events in the news have been unsettling for many of our colleagues across the United States and may be taking a toll on you both personally and professionally.
“If you need any flexibility in your work schedule during this time, please reach out to your People team. They are here to support you and will handle these conversations with discretion and care, whatever you may need.
“We also recognise that people may make personal decisions about how they manage their time during this period. If you have questions about taking time away from work or using our usual time off arrangements, your People team can guide you.”
She also referred staff to the company’s “employee assistance programme”, which provides “confidential counselling, referrals, and resources for a wide range of personal and work-related matters, including mental health support”.
Cindy Rose, chief executive of WPP
SIMON DAWSON/REUTERS
In the aftermath of the shooting of nurse Alex Pretti, a US citizen, last Saturday, several business leaders issued statements to their staff. Apple chief executive Tim Cook wrote in an email to staff that he was “heartbroken” and said: “This is a time for de-escalation.”
Michael Fiddelke, the incoming boss of Minneapolis-based retail giant Target, said in a video message to staff: “The violence and loss of life in our community is incredibly painful.”
Opponents of the immigration regime across the US staged anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests on Friday, with some calling it a “general strike”. There had been discussion on WPP employee message boards about joining the walk out.
Writing on a forum that only allows participants with verified WPP emails, one person said: “I don’t feel like working when our nation is falling apart.” Another said: “Sadly, work is too busy to take off.” In a Reddit forum for the wider US ad sector, a poster wrote: “Lol it’s a Friday most people strike every week.”