Publicis Groupe U.K. has closed its Turnmill office in London after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
“Publicis Groupe U.K. was notified that an employee, based out of the Turnmills campus, has tested positive for COVID-19. Although the employee has not been in the office since 2nd March, we have taken the precaution to close this campus temporarily to conduct a deep clean, with the office due to reopen on Monday 16th March. Remote working has been implemented for all employees affected and we continue to serve our clients. All possible parties affected have been informed and referred to U.K. government advice to temporarily self-isolate,” a Publicis Groupe representative wrote in a statement.
“Publicis Groupe U.K. remains committed to the health and safety of our employees and visitors. While campuses at Baker Street, Chancery Lane and Television Centre remain open, we have been implementing enhanced cleaning practices across all of our U.K. sites across the past week and will continue to adapt our actions in line with the evolution of the epidemic, the World Health Organisation’s recommendations and instructions from the U.K. government,” they added.
Publicis Groupe initially announced the news in an internal email sent out to U.K. staff by Publicis Groupe U.K. CEO Annette King and U.K. managing director Scott Criddle, which was obtained by AgencySpy.
The email informs employees that a Publicis Groupe U.K. employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and that the Turnmill office is closing and implementing compulsory remote working protocol for all employees located in the building. The email notes that the individual in question has not bee in the office since March 2, but that anyone in direct contact with the employee between February 24 and March 4 has been directly contacted and asked to “self-isolate until the end of the incubation period.”
“Our Publicis Sapient People team and Publicis Groupe U.K. Talent teams will remain in regular contact with these employees during this period,” the email continues.
According to the email, it is anticipated that employees and contractors will be able to return to “usual working practices” at the Turnmill office on March 16, with the exception of those asked to self-isolate.
The email also notes in bold that employees are asked to keep the information confidential, with the following line:
We would appreciate your confidentiality at this time. If you receive any queries from clients, please let your client lead or brand CEO know rather than dealing with the query yourself.
The email closes by noting that “a separate communication has been sent to all clients and partners of Publicis Sapient” and asks that employees reschedule client or team meetings to be conducted via Skype or MS Teams and reminds employees of how to securely work remotely.