Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it saw many within football’s workforce have spent less time working in an office and more time working from home. That, amongst many reasons, has increased work ethic for many as it has allowed people to become more flexible. Not only that, it has seen many become dependent on the arrangement as it aided work-life balance and childcare for many.
However, with the world slowly returning back to the state it was in prior to the pandemic, many clubs and organizations slowly removing the flexible balance. That has received more than a little pushback with people keen to maintain the current balance as it has not hurt teams. But Manchester United have reportedly changed the norm as the club has ordered staff back permanently.
Jim Ratcliffe spearheads Manchester United’s return to permanent work from office
As per the Athletic, Manchester United have informed all their staff that the club are going to return to the office permanently from the start of June. The report has indicated that this comes from part-owner Jim Ratcliffe as his company INEOS has noted several changes since the introduction of the flexible schedule.
Their plans, however, had received pushback from former interim CEO Partick Stewart although he has since announced his departure. But as per the Athletic, the club emailed all their staff that INEOS have been and will continue to review how the Red Devils have been operating. The organization is also trying to create a “high-performance environment” that helps improve everything in their goal towards football success.
The email also, reportedly, added that they believe working from the office permanently will help achieve that.
“Part of this is looking at how we work—how we create a high-performance environment where everyone can be their best, working together towards our common goal of football success. The key to achieving this goal is connection and collaboration. Everyone coming together as a collective to share skills, knowledge, and ideas, building on the best of what we already do and looking at where we need to change and innovate,” as per the statement reported by the Athletic.
“We believe this connection and collaboration is best achieved when everyone works together in close proximity. Although hybrid working has some benefits, it cannot replace the value of people being physically together. With this in mind, we will be asking all colleagues who currently have hybrid working arrangements to return to the office permanently.”
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