Manchester United’s employees have been given a deadline of next Wednesday to make a decision regarding the possibility of voluntary resignation as part of Ineos’ new initiative to phase out remote work. On Tuesday, personnel received an email encouraging them to contemplate accepting redundancy.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new minority shareholder, is assuming responsibility for the day-to-day operations and has mandated that employees work from the offices in Manchester or London beginning on June 1. Those who do not agree with this new policy are being offered an early payout of their annual bonus if they choose to depart from the club.
The same terms are being extended to current office-based employees, but not to scouts or playing staff. Staff have until June 5 to confirm their decision to resign. A spokesperson for the club clarified that this initiative does not constitute a voluntary redundancy programme, and the club acknowledges that not everyone wishes to work from the office full-time, thus providing options for those who prefer not to return to the office.
This decision coincides with Ratcliffe’s plan to reduce the club’s staff by approximately 25 to 30 per cent due to concerns about overstaffing. Corporate restructuring firm Interpath Advisory has been appointed to oversee cost-cutting measures aimed at improving efficiency and identifying potential areas for savings.
As of June 30 last year, Manchester United reported employing 1,112 staff, the highest among the Premier League’s top six clubs. Plans to end remote working were communicated to staff last Friday, with the club expressing its intention to convert various areas of Old Trafford into office space.
Ratcliffe, who has already made controversial decisions in an effort to revamp the club, recently expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanliness at Old Trafford and Carrington in an email to staff. Additional cost-saving measures included informing employees that they would be responsible for covering their own travel expenses to the FA Cup final, though they still received complimentary tickets for the match, which United won 2-1 against Manchester City.
In conclusion, the new working policy at Manchester United has caused a commotion among its non-football staff. The stringent deadline for the resignation decision and the focus on returning to the office represent a significant shift in the club’s approach to remote work. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the overall efficiency and culture of the club.