The way that the workplace has evolved is remarkable, but billionaire Chris Ellison isn’t on board with flexible arrangements.
Now that we can all kick our feet up at home, sip on a coffee while lying on the sofa to complete our daily tasks on the clock, it’s hard to think about what it was like before remote work was created.
Not only has it been hailed as the ultimate solution for those who want more of a work-life balance, but it’s also been great to see how productive workers can be when not bogged down by office politics and a manager breathing down their necks.
But while it’s been uber popular among employees, Ellison isn’t a fan of this change to the workplace and he even admitted that if it were up to him, his staff would never leave the office.
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It’s safe to say that there’s no flexible options at his company, Mineral Resources Ltd.
But now he’s coming after coffee breaks.
That’s a step too far, Ellison.
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The mining tycoon explained to Fortune on Thursday 29 August (today): “I want to hold them captive all day long.
“I don’t want them leaving the building. So 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.”
Ellison’s firm boasts a giant headquarters in Perth, Australia which features work perks such as a wellness Center, restaurant, gym, creche, a reflection room and yes, a café.
He claims that his staff ‘love working’ there and because the office holds so many amenities, it ‘kept them glued’ inside instead of crossing the road for a quick espresso.
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That means there’s no room for asking to work from home a couple of days each week, even if it’s for childcare reasons.
Following an earnings update at the company, a transcript of the call reported him as saying: “I have a no-work-from-home policy.
“I wish everyone else would get on board with that, the sooner the better.
“We can’t have people working three days a week and picking up five days a week pay.”
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While many companies down under are happy with their employees choosing to work two days at home and three days in the office, or vice versa, it’s a no-go with Ellison.
Instead, he has incentivised his office to prefer to work in the office through a daycare scheme.
Ellison explained that his company’s daycare center charges A$20 ($13.58) a day, while most private nurseries charge A$180 a day.
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He said: “Drop the little tykes off next door.
“We’re going to feed them, but mum and dad will be working in our office.”
He might be going against science with his staunch beliefs, though.
Sociologist Juliet Schor of Boston College, has been outspoken about the improvements in employee physical and mental health and work-life balance, as well as higher job satisfaction and general life satisfaction when adopting a 4-day work week.
There was also evidence of burnout reductions which have been maintained over the past year.
So, maybe flexible working really is the way forward, Ellison?