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PR agencies allowing employees to work from home
By Editor on Mar 29, 2007 in HR
Does your agency allow you to work from home? If not, it might soon, considering that some agencies have already started following this new practice.
The cover story of the March 31, 2007 issue of Outlook Money magazine mentions that IPAN and Perfect Relations are allowing people who are involved in conceptualising of projects and ideas, writing, research and copywriting to work from their homes. These agencies also provide reimbursements for telephone and internet bills. Three people in IPAN have already started working like this.
However, employees in the client servicing departments are not that lucky for obvious reasons as they need to interact with the clients and media on a regular basis.
Well, a good start to see there are some HR policies, apart from the usual fill-up of time-sheets and leave-benefits, taking shape in the industry.
On Mar 30, 2007, bella said:
Wow, all I knew till this time that some IT companies allow there employee to work from home, its good to know that now PR industry is also practicing “work from home” policy.
It makes a lot more sense too, as people involved in conceptualizing of projects and ideas, writing, research and copywriting can work from home, yes they can discuss things over the phone or online, or meet when required, but they don’t need to come to office every day.
Bella!
On Mar 30, 2007, hobbithob said:
hi bella, I suppose client servicing people can also work from home to some extent - collaborate online and meet whenever there is a meeting thought practically this will take some time to come
On Mar 30, 2007, Anonymous said:
Hi Hobbit, visiting this IndiaPR after a long time. Wanted to point out something to all PR peers -
Check out the latest HT site (in beta) http://beta.hindustantimes.com.....epage.aspx
and than go to the New York Times site http://www.nytimes.com/
As my friend who pointed this out to me said: ‘Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery.. go HT!’
Heheheeee…!
On Mar 30, 2007, hobbithob said:
5 columns, tabbed links, masthead design, hmmm…maybe they sourced the same template….originality and creativity is supposed to be HT’s considering their showcase in today’s edition about photography awards they won!!
On Mar 30, 2007, Anonymous said:
Hmm…interesting points Hobbit and they do make sense. But I always thought that if you are one of India’s best newspapers you don’t waste time on templates; you create something new. Isn’t that what ‘originality and creativity’ mean…?
And now that you are talking about the IFRA Awards, go back to yesterday’s HT and look closely at the photos on pages 12 and 13. The only photo that does stand out and is different is Vikas Khot’s shot of the President, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma and Ajay Piramal.
Let’s not go by what has been ‘awarded’ but use our own judgement. Pick up any newspaper and check out the photos from AP, AFP or Reuters photographers. On any given day the sophistication and story behind them runs much deeper.
PS: Even the HT team knew which photo was really worth the prize, and displayed it prominently on the front page (Thursday, 29 March) with the heading (in bold) - ‘HT SWEEPS ASIA AWARDS’
On Mar 31, 2007, Anonymous said:
her is da latest. a sexual harrsasment issue in a leadng pr agency in bengalooru…the head of the office , d harraser, was transfered to new delhi and the poor female employee was chucked out. any guesses which pr firm this is?????????????????????
On Apr 16, 2007, Benita said:
Hi Hobbit,
You are right, Client servicing ppl can work from home too. I will now be heading the Mumbai branch of “Media Managers”, a Kolkata based PR Agency. And, you guessed it right, I’ll b OPERATING FROM HOME.
Guess that brings hope to many others!
Cheers!!
On Apr 17, 2007, Anonymous said:
Hi! Just wandered into your blog. Great effort. Wanted to say that I have been working from home for PR Pundit for the last 5 years now and I think it is the first such effort by any PR agency in India. The others have just hopped on to the bus! But am glad they have….this is the way forward.
Arpi
On Apr 17, 2007, hobbithob said:
Yes Benita and congrats on your new position.
On Apr 18, 2007, Anonymous said:
Hi, Just wanted to drop in and let everybody know that Genesis B-M also have a working from policy since last couple of years and a lot of cluent servicing people do take this option at least one day a week.
On Apr 19, 2007, Anonymous said:
Thanx Hobbit
On Jul 13, 2008, John said:
This is new in India. But most of the advanced countries are in this practice of allowing people to work from home a long time. It is a great move from IPAN and Perfectrelations.
On Jul 14, 2008, Shashank Jaitely said:
The time have really changed since the time this post was made live. I think all the top ten PR firms in India give flexibility to their employees to work from home. With technologies like laptops, datacarss and blackberrys, it has become easy.
Besides helping in bringing in the work-life balance, it is presumed to be a good talent retention mechanism…:-)