Mineral Resources’ bold plan to keep employees in the office, limiting coffee breaks and remote work, sparks debate. Explore perks, controversies, and the future of work.

Table of Contents

Once upon a time, coffee breaks were a sacred ritual in the corporate world—a brief yet essential escape from the daily grind.

However, in the heart of Western Australia, one man has decided that coffee breaks are the enemy of productivity.

Meet Chris Ellison, the managing director of Mineral Resources, who crafted a plan so audacious that it might redefine the office experience.

The Office Fortress: Welcome to Your New (Work) Home

Picture this: You stroll into the sleek, modern headquarters of Mineral Resources, a gleaming beacon of industry in Perth.

The vibe is welcoming, almost too welcoming.

The gym is calling your name, the on-site restaurant wafts tempting aromas your way, and the daycare center is ready to care for your little ones.

Sounds like a dream workplace, right?

Well, there is a catch.

Ellison’s grand vision is not just about providing employees with a cushy environment—it is about keeping them there.

All. Day. Long.

“When I get them first up in the morning, I want to hold them captive all day long,” Ellison announced during a company presentation.

The phrase “holding them captive” might evoke images of a corporate prison, but do not worry—no shackles are involved.

Just the soft, invisible chains of convenience and comfort.

No Escape: The War on Coffee Breaks

In Ellison’s ideal world, the office is not just a workplace, but a fortress where productivity reigns supreme, and coffee runs are the enemy.

“I do not want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee,” Ellison declared as if a simple latte could bring down the entire operation.

The company even crunched the numbers and found that these little escapes cost more than just a few dollars—an affront to productivity itself!

So, what is the solution?

Keep everything employees need within arm’s reach.

The gym, restaurant, and daycare are all designed to keep you from straying too far from your desk.

Depending on your perspective (and caffeine dependency), this strategy could be either genius or diabolical.

The Daycare Deal: A Win for Parents, A Win for Ellison

One thing Mineral Resources did get right is their approach to daycare.

This could be a game-changer for parents juggling work and childcare.

The company’s new daycare center, which can accommodate about 105 children, offers care at a bargain price of AUD 20 (€12.28) per day.

Considering the average cost of childcare in Australia is around AUD 180 (€110.54) per day, this move is miraculous.

Parents might be willing to forgive Ellison’s anti-coffee stance if it means affordable childcare and more time spent close to their kids—even if that time is spent in an office fortress.

The No-Work-From-Home Crusade: Bring Back the Commute

However, the plot thickens.

Ellison wants to keep employees in the office and has declared war on remote work.

“I have a no work-from-home policy,” he proudly announced, as if WFH was some corporate rebellion that needed quashing.

“The sooner, the better,” he added, wishing other companies would follow his lead.

While many companies worldwide are embracing flexible work models—some even testing out the four-day workweek—Mineral Resources is doubling down on the traditional office environment.

For Ellison, there is no room for compromise: employees should be in the office five days a week, from morning until the end of the workday.

It is a bold stance when work-life balance is becoming more of a priority and has sparked controversy.

Ellison’s Office Oasis: Comfort or Control?

So, what is the deal?

Is Ellison’s plan to keep employees close at hand a clever strategy to boost productivity, or is it an outdated attempt to cling to the past?

The jury is still out.

On one hand, the perks offered by Mineral Resources are undeniable.

The restaurant, gym, daycare, and psychologists contribute to a work environment that caters to almost every need—except, perhaps, the need to escape for a moment of peace.

On the other hand, the insistence on in-office presence and the crackdown on coffee breaks seem extreme, especially in a world where many companies are moving in the opposite direction.

Companies like Deutsche Bank and Manchester United have also pushed back against the work-from-home trend, but they have yet to go as far as to try and eliminate coffee runs.

The Bigger Picture: A War on Flexibility?

Ellison’s approach is not unique, though it is in the minority.

Across Europe, some companies are also tightening their grip on employees’ time and presence.

Deutsche Bank, for example, has implemented policies to keep staff in the office on Fridays and Mondays, ensuring that the office remains buzzing with activity throughout the week.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made headlines for asking employees to return to the office full-time, citing concerns over productivity and collaboration.

However, while these companies push for more in-office time, other parts of the world are moving in the opposite direction.

Countries like the UK, Germany, and France have implemented laws to protect employees from being contacted outside of work hours, and the UK has even trialed a four-day workweek.

So, where does this leave us?

As companies like Mineral Resources push for more in-office presence, the global conversation around work-life balance, flexibility, and employee well-being continues to evolve.

The answer lies somewhere in the middle, with companies offering the best of both worlds: the office’s structure combined with the freedom of remote work.