Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's new investor, has told the club's staff to either work from the office or quit their jobs.
The Guardian reported that he cites email traffic statistics to Manchester United staff as the reason for a ban on working from home and told them to seek “alternative employment” if they are not willing to work from the club.
The chemicals tycoon told the club that email traffic dropped by 20 per cent when one of his companies experimented with work-from-home Fridays, and believes that productivity and collaboration will increase once more employees are in the office.
“If you don't like it, please seek alternative employment,” he told staff.
United’s football staff tend to work from the offices and commercial staff will be more affected by this rule.
Staff have made light of the topic because it is understood there is not enough space in Manchester and at the club’s London premises to accommodate all staff as some areas are used for hospitality and other activities.
Other challenges to be addressed include dealing with employees who do not live near Manchester and London and the fact that some staff are on flexible contracts, meaning they do not have to work from club offices under their contract.
When Ratcliffe’s buy-in at United was agreed the club said Ineos, his company, had been “delegated responsibility for management of football operations” but it now seems that he could have the power to make other decisions too. Since February Ratcliffe has owned 25 per cent of the club, for which he paid just over £1 billion.
During last week’s tour Ratcliffe also ordered staff to raise standards after describing the untidiness in offices as a “disgrace” and some dressing rooms as “not much better”.
“I had a good tour around some of the facilities. I am afraid I was struck in many places by a high degree of untidiness. In particular the IT department which frankly was a disgrace and the dressing rooms of the U18 and U21 were not much better,” he wrote to staff.
He is conducting a structural assessment before Omar Berrada joins as the chief executive in the summer. Berrada is on gardening leave after being headhunted from Manchester City.
