‘No Coffee Breaks’: Mining Company Intends To Hold Employees ‘Captive All Day Long’

At a time when debate around Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s remarks about a 70-hour working week didn’t subside, an event has reignited discussions all over again. Chris Ellison, managing director of Mineral Resources, has restricted his employees from taking coffee breaks, explaining that he intends to “hold the staff captive all day long.” According to a BBC report, Mineral Resources, with its head office in Perth, houses a restaurant, a gym, staff psychologists and other facilities to encourage employees to stay in the office. The company also doesn’t offer a work-from-home policy.

Explaining the benefits of these facilities, Ellison said, “We have a lot of different benefits that we have brought on. Why have I done that? Because when I get them first thing in the morning, I want to hold them captive all day long. I don’t want them leaving the building. 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.”

Additionally, he suggested that other companies should adapt to this thinking and push employees to work from the office. Ellison emphasised that such a workplace culture helps to embrace parenthood. “The industry cannot afford it. We can’t have people working three days a week and picking up five days a week’s pay—or four days. Another reason for them to come in and enjoy work. Drop their little tykes off next door. We have doctors on board and nurses who are going to feed them, but mom and dad will be working in our office,” he added.

The mining tycoon was speaking at the MinRes FY24 Financial Results Presentation as he made the comments. Social media users reacted largely to a video going viral from the event.

A user wrote, “Happy employees are productive employees. I’ve worked with people that could do the work of two other employees. I had no problem letting them have more breaks as a bit of a reward for being a good employee.”

Another commented, “People are paid to work and be in the work space unless it is lunchtime. If the company policies don’t suit the employees they can always find another job.”

“So .. how is non-productive things like lunch, gym, coffees etc somehow better when staff use provided facilities rather than that of other nearby businesses?” a user asked.

The video of his speech has taken social media platforms by storm, sparking a fresh debate about workplace policies and employee freedom amid growing tension between management and staff.