Manchester United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is shaking things up at the club as he looks to make his mark.
In a recent all-staff meeting, he announced an end to the club’s flexible work-from-home policy. He instructed them to come to the office or seek alternative employment.
According to The Guardian, the INEOS boss cited email statistics as a reason for his decision, claiming that email traffic dropped 20% during work-from-home Fridays at one of his companies.
Ratcliffe believes returning to the office full-time will increase productivity and boost teamwork. However, the move has raised eyebrows.
Some staff live far away from the club’s Manchester and London offices. There are also roles which don’t require office work and there might not be enough space.
The new policy has its critics. Some people find the email traffic justification weak and the sudden shift disruptive. There’s even humour circulating about a potential office space crunch.
Ratcliffe purchased a 27% stake in the club for £1.25 billion and is keen on raising the standards across the board.
Despite assuming control of football operations, the petrochemical boss has been extending his influence to other corners of the club.
The 71-year-old recently visited Old Trafford and called some areas of the club’s physical space a disgrace before ordering a general clean-up.
This is the latest sign of Ratcliffe’s growing influence as he fights to restore Man United to its former glories.
Ratcliffe hired Omar Berrada from Manchester City, looking to refine and improve the club’s football operations. Berrada will take over as Chief Executive Officer after his gardening leave.
Jason Wilcox has since assumed his position as technical director and is keeping an eye on manager Erik ten Hag and his squad.
Wilcox will determine whether the Dutchman should keep his job beyond this season after a poor second term at the club.
The club is still working to take Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United to head the sporting shake-up.
