Employee Benefits, London

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting life choices for our team.

We provide an extensive range of benefits, including enhanced policies for new parents.

The healthier our lifestyles, the better resilience and longevity we are likely to have. We believe in providing resources that will alleviate distractions allowing employees to do their best work.

Health and wellbeing

To keep you active and healthy both physically and mentally.

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BUPA

We offer BUPA health cover, which gives prompt access to specialist treatment. Everyone can enjoy the same comprehensive cover, regardless of previous medical history. Family members can be included in the scheme (at an additional cost).

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Unum Dental

All AKQA employees can enrol in a dental plan provided by Unum, with four levels of cover to choose from and the option to add family members to the scheme. The cost of cover will be deducted from monthly pay.

London Benefits - Cycle

Cycle to work

Through Cyclescheme, we help employees buy a bike tax-free, saving 15–25% off the retail price. The chosen bike is purchased with a voucher.

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Help @ Hand

AKQA offers Help @ Hand, which gives free access to NHS doctors 24/7 through an app, providing medical advice, answering questions and giving employees peace of mind.

London Benefits - Mental Health

Mental health

Becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or worsen existing issues. AKQA has many places for employees to reach out for support and advice.

London Benefits - Headspace

Headspace

AKQA offers a 50% subsidy on Headspace. The app teaches mindfulness with hundreds of sessions on everything from stress to sleep, bite-sized meditations and SOS exercises.

London Benefits - Glasses

Eye tests and glasses

Employees are entitled to a free yearly eye test and funds towards a pair of glasses.

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Flu jab

AKQA offers employees yearly free flu jabs to maximise the chance of everyone having a healthy winter.

London Benefits - Gym

Gym membership

Employees have access to a local gym in Farringdon, whether to shape up or de-stress.

NABS

NABS

Employees have access to Nabs, offering free mentoring and impartial advice on personal or work-related matters for people in the advertising and media.

Equipment

Adjustable desks in the studio

We offer adjustable desk options in the studio for those who like to alternate between standing and sitting.

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EAP - Employee Assistance Programme

A free 24/7 confidential service that offers practical support on work, family, relationships, money and health.

Learning and development

To help you grow and develop in your role, and to reach your full potential.

Benefits-insight

AKQA Insight

AKQA Insight features presentations, case studies and points of view from across the AKQA global network, plus external guest speakers and key figures from innovative disciplines.

Personal development

Personal development workshops

These workshops run regularly, covering a wide range of topics, including Presentation Skills, The Art of Communication, Unconscious Bias, and Mental Health First Aid.

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Management programme

Managers can significantly impact business outcomes, employee engagement, and performance. We ensure all line managers have the opportunity to attend a four-module programme, teaching them skills to become effective managers.

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LinkedIn Learning

Everyone can benefit from our subscription to LinkedIn Learning – an online platform that provides access to thousands of courses.

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BIMA

BIMA brings digital thought leaders together through external events and training; AKQA employees can attend the seminars and conferences for free.

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Department and individual training

We offer team and individual development opportunities, including industry-related events and accredited qualifications.

Lifestyle choices

To ensure a healthy work-life balance.

Holiday

Annual holiday

We offer 25 days’ annual holiday per year plus bank holidays; three of these days are used over Christmas to ensure that everyone has the entire period from Christmas Day to the New Year off. We offer an additional day of annual holiday for each completed year at AKQA, up to 30 days.

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Discounts

Through partnerships with our clients and local businesses, we can offer employee discounts on food, haircuts, beauty treatments, travel and retail. Through WPP, AKQA employees can also benefit from discounts of up to 20%.

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Anniversaries and long service awards

To celebrate each year contributed to AKQA, we send employees anniversary gifts to say thank you. To recognise our long servers, we also celebrate five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years milestones with a financial reward.

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Summer Fridays

So employees can make the most of the summertime, everyone can finish early on Friday afternoons throughout the summer.

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Birthday day off

We offer birthday days off, which can be taken any day within the birthday week.

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Recruitment referral scheme

We pay a financial bonus if you refer a candidate who ends up being permanently employed by AKQA.

AKQA Benefits - Coffee

Fruit, tea and coffee

Complimentary fresh fruit, herbal teas and drinks are available with milk alternatives. There are coffee machines throughout the studio and a subsidised vending machine.

London Benefits - Flexible working

Flexible working

We recognise the importance of quality time away from work; AKQA is open to flexible working patterns, from reducing weekly hours to working from home.

London Benefits - Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

A range of ERGs and groups across the AKQA network can be joined to connect and unite employees around a shared identity or interest.

Saving and protection

To help you plan for the future and for times when you may need support.

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Enhanced shared parental leave

We have significantly enhanced paternity pay for new parents to demonstrate our commitment to offering industry-leading family-friendly policies. We understand it is important for new parents to take time with their partners during the first year of the newborn’s birth.

Maternity

Maternity policy and primary carer leave

To ensure time off with new babies is as rewarding as possible, AKQA offers an enhanced maternity package (which increases the longer employees have worked at AKQA). Expectant parents are entitled to reasonable paid time off for antenatal care.

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Paternity policy and secondary carer leave

New parents are entitled to two weeks of paid leave immediately after their baby is born.

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Adoption leave

Adoption leave is available for new parents within the first year of adoption, offering the same enhanced payments as full maternity and shared parental.

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Life Assurance

As an AKQA employee, you’re automatically enrolled in our Life Assurance scheme. This entitles someone nominated by you to receive a payment of four times your annual salary.

Pensions

Pension

We offer a generous pension scheme that employees will be added to from their first day and can also increase their contribution level. Quarterly meetings are held with pension consultants to help guide employees through their options.

Income-protection

Income protection support

Employees may be eligible for our Permanent Medical Insurance (PMI) scheme if they’ve been off work due to illness or injury for more than 26 weeks. The scheme pays up to 75% of an annual salary until a return to work is possible.

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Mortgage advice

We host drop-in clinics throughout the year, offering a free consultation with a mortgage broker who provides independent advice to first time buyers, buy-to-let purchases and general mortgage advice.

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Season ticket loan

We provide an interest-free loan for yearly train travel, taken out of employees’ salaries over six to twelve months.

Prioritising you is essential to your wellbeing, particularly during the ongoing challenges in the world. Self-care strategies allow you to take charge of your mental and physical health. In addition to organised opportunities through sport, yoga and meditation, we’ve compiled a wide range of self-care resources for families and individuals, combined with continuous positive lifestyle encouragement and support for our employees.