The billionaire owner of a mining company has banned his staff from leaving the office to go for coffee, instead opting to provide everything on-site.
Chris Ellison, managing director of Mineral Resources, says he wants to "hold them [his staff] captive all day long."
Ellison has previously banned his staff from working at home.
Enhancing On-Site Amenities to Retain Employees
To stop his staff leaving the building, the company has invested heavily in a range of amenities at its head office in Perth, Australia.
Speaking during a financial presentation this week, Ellis said:
“I want to hold them captive all day long."
He said his company’s investment in on-site facilities is a strategic move to prevent employees from leaving the building for small errands, like grabbing a coffee.
He added:
“We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that cost."
Ellison earned $6 million Australian dollars last year, (around $4 million, or £3.1 million). He has previously criticised companies who allow staff to work at home. His company, worth around $8 billion Australian Dollars ($5.4 billion or £4.1 billion), banned the practice last year.
He said:
“I have a no-work-from-home policy.
“I wish everyone else would get on board with that – the sooner the better. The industry can’t afford it.”
Opposition to Lenient Working Hours
Ellison also expressed concerns about the growing trend of adopting more lenient working hours.
He said:
“We’ve now got the industry all heading out there going, ‘Why don’t we do a four-day week? We got used to it over COVID.
“We can’t have people working three days, and picking up five days a week pay, or even four days."
Creating a Workplace That Employees Don’t Want to Leave
The amenities at the office now include a restaurant and a gym, as well as other amenities to keep employees engaged and satisfied.
He said:
“Head office is a place that a lot of our people want to be, and they love working in there,”
Additional Incentives for Office Attendance
The company has also opened a crèche, offering childcare services at a significantly reduced cost of A$20 per day, compared to the typical A$180 charged by external providers.
Ellison explained:
“So another reason for them to come and enjoy work: drop the little tykes off next door.
In addition, Mineral Resources provides access to doctors and nurses on-site, with the intention of creating a work environment where employees can focus on their jobs while having their personal needs catered to.
“We’re going to feed them, but mum and dad will be working in our office."
