Mumbai: In a bold move to normalize preventive cancer care and champion employee well-being, Publicis Groupe India has launched the ‘Screening Time Off’ initiative, a unique workplace policy that encourages employees to take time off for cancer screenings. The initiative is part of the Group’s global Working with Cancer pledge and reflects its ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive and recovery-forward workplace.
As part of this initiative, Publicis Groupe India has partnered with Datar Cancer Genetics, a global leader in advanced cancer detection, to offer accessible and innovative blood-based screenings that detect over 30 types of cancers. Screenings will be made available not only to employees but also to their immediate family members, reinforcing the Group’s holistic approach to employee care. The screening services will be accessible throughout the year.
Surbhi Gupta, Chief Talent Officer, Publicis Groupe – South Asia, shared, “We are committed towards building a workplace that prioritises empathy, inclusion, and well-being. The Screening Time Off initiative will help our people take a concrete step towards caring about their health by screening for cancer. Our goal is to create a culture where people are healthy and thriving at work and this is a step towards this commitment.”
The initiative builds on Publicis Groupe India’s existing support systems, which include a one-year paid leave policy for employees undergoing treatment for critical illnesses like cancer, access to caregiver support, counselling, and other tailored resources. This expansion into preventive care underscores the importance of early detection—an approach backed by the American Cancer Society, which states that early-stage diagnosis can lead to survival rates well over 90% for many common cancers.
Launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos two years ago, Publicis’ Working with Cancer pledge has now brought together over 3,000 companies worldwide, all united in their mission to destigmatize cancer at the workplace and build cultures rooted in empathy and recovery.
With ‘Screening Time Off’, Publicis Groupe India continues to lead by example, reinforcing its commitment to empowering its workforce with meaningful, compassionate healthcare initiatives that truly make a difference.
