WPP tackles revolt with free beef ragu and garlic bread

WPP is busting the myth that there is no such thing as a free lunch by wooing staff back to the office with the offer of gratis meals on Fridays as the holding company attempts to placate its disgruntled workforce.

The return to work mandate forcing employees to return to the office for at least four days a week triggered a mass protest earlier this year, with an online petition attracting more than 20,000 signatories.

Employees working at WPP headquarters in London had previously only been required to go into the office three days a week.

In an email written to all 108,000 staff in January, global chief executive Mark Read said he believed ‘we do our best work when we are together in person’.

He added: “It’s easier to learn from each other, it’s a better way to mentor colleagues starting out in the industry, and it helps us win pitches as a truly integrated team.”

City AM revealed earlier this month that two of WPP’s agencies Ogilvy and Grey had been unable to introduce the company’s return-to-office mandate, due to an insufficient number of desks.

Two Grey staff members told City AM the four day week requirement will not come into force until at least June to give the agency time to add desks to its office floors.

However, the free lunches were introduced last week at the group’s HQ on the South Bank in London, and reportedly included beef ragu, garlic bread and a spring salad.

WPP confirmed it has introduced complimentary lunches on Fridays to enhance the experience of coming into work for employees, although it is not known how long the freebies will be in place.