Publicis Foundation launches Working With Cancer to erase the stigma of cancer in the workplace

PARIS, Today: In a world where one in every two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, the Publicis Foundation is launching a cross-industry coalition to erase the stigma of cancer in the workplace.

The coalition has the support of leading cancer charities including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MacMillan Cancer Support and the Gustave Roussy Institute – plus Adobe, AXA, Bank of America, Disney, Google, L’Oréal, Lloyd’s, McDonald’s, Meta, Mondelez, Microsoft, MSD, Nestlé, , Omnicom, Pepsico, Reckitt, Renault, Toyota, Unilever, Verizon, and Walmart.

In April 2022, Publicis ceo Arthur Sadoun was diagnosed and treated for cancer. After making his condition public, he received thousands of testimonies that exposed the fear those with cancer experienced, not only for their lives, but also for their jobs.

Those messages reflected an unsettling reality that Working with Cancer aims to address: 50% of cancer patients are afraid to tell their employer about their diagnosis, despite 92% feeling that support at work positively impacts their health.

“For World Cancer Day on 4 February, Working with Cancer will launch a mass media wakeup call, backed by $ US100m donated by partners around the world.”

For World Cancer Day on 4 February, Working with Cancer will launch a mass media wakeup call to encourage everyone to play their part in supporting their colleagues with cancer.

This will be backed by $ US 100 million in media that has been generously donated by partners around the world.

Publicis Groupe’s Pledge

• We will secure the job, salary level and benefits of any Publicis Groupe employees diagnosed with cancer* for at least 1 year, so they can stay focused on their health treatment as the priority.
• All Publicis Groupe employees with cancer* will be individually accompanied when they return to work through personalized career support.
• All affected Publicis Groupe employees will have access to an internal community of volunteers (peers) who are properly trained to provide support, through the Marcel platform.
• All Publicis Groupe employees in a primary caregiver role for a patient in their immediate family will receive custom personal and professional support to navigate the flexibility and time arrangements needed maintain their energy at work and as a caregiver.
• workingwithcancerpledge.com
• publicisgroupe.com/cancer-in-the-workplace
• mslgroup.com