Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new rules will apply to Manchester United’s non-football employees and they have one week to make up their minds about staying with the team.
Ratcliffe’s impact is felt off the field as well as he makes important decisions that impact more than a thousand workers. Known for making difficult business decisions, Ratcliffe has outlawed flexible work arrangements from home and ordered all employees to report to work from the office as of June 1.
This decision is based on his conviction that working remotely reduces productivity which is supported by a 20 percent decrease in email traffic at one of his companies when employees began working from home on Fridays. An email on Tuesday offering voluntary resignation with a deadline of June 5 was distributed to every employee.
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Workers can opt out of their notice periods in the office but they will still be eligible to receive their annual bonus early (which is typically paid in September). This option which some see as a cost-cutting move to allow more investment in the playing squad is expected to be taken by up to 20 percent of the staff.
Despite record revenue, the club announced a £42 million loss for the 2022–2023 season. The new directive has elicited varying responses from the staff. Although some people are not happy by the change and think it is shortsighted while others applaud it.
Ever since he arrived, Ratcliffe has shown a strong desire to raise the bar. He was critical of the facilities, lack of order and drew direct parallels to the operations of his own company INEOS during a recent visit.
In an attempt to cut costs, he also alluded to the possibility of canceling employee benefits like Christmas parties. Also, non-football employees were not given food unlike previous years and had to pay £20 for their coach tickets to the FA Cup final.
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This annoyance was increased when it was revealed that YouTuber IShowSpeed who had interrupted the players post-game festivities was permitted free entry. Staff members must decide whether to accept the new requirement for in-office work or look for other employment as the new system takes effect.
The future work culture at Manchester United will probably be shaped by the results of this radical overhaul.
