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Workers who leave the head office to buy a cup of coffee are costing an Australian mining firm too much money, according to its boss.<\/p>\n
Managing director of Mineral Resources Chris Ellison said during a financial results presentation on Wednesday he wants to “hold staff captive all day long”.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want them leaving the building,” he said.<\/p>\n
The head office in Perth has a restaurant, nine staff psychologists, a gym, and other facilities designed to encourage staff to stay in the office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“We have a lot of different benefits that we have brought on,” said Mr Ellison, whose company has a strict “no work from home policy”.<\/p>\n
“Why have I done that? Because when I get them first thing in the morning, I want to hold them captive all day long. I don’t want them leaving the building.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee. We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that costs.”<\/p>\n
He said the rest of the mining industry should “get on board” with his thinking on the benefits of working in the office rather than at home.<\/p>\n
“The industry cannot afford it. We can’t have people working three days a week and picking up five days a week pay – or four days.”<\/p>\n
The company culture at Mining Resources also extends to Mr Ellison’s views on parents, with the company building a day-care centre on site big enough for 105 children.<\/p>\n
“Another reason for them to come in and enjoy work,” he said. <\/p>\n
“Drop their little tykes off next door. We have doctors on board and nurses who are going to feed them, but mum and dad will be working in our office.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mr Ellison is not the only boss to enforce a no work from home policy. <\/p>\n
Last week, the head of London-based smartphone maker Nothing sent an all-staff email to announce the end of hybrid working and a move to fully office-based work.<\/p>\n
“I know this is a controversial decision that may not be a fit for everyone, and there are definitely companies out there that thrive in remote or hybrid setups,” he wrote in the email.<\/p>\n
“But that\u2019s not right for our type of business, and won\u2019t help us fully realize our potential as a company.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n