Sport

Manchester United issue statement after Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives staff resignation offer

They are being incentivised with an early bonus.

Danny Jones - 30th May 2024

Manchester United have issued a statement explaining the recent offer of a ‘redundancy’ package to staff if they tender their resignation before next Wednesday.

Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s guidance, the club reportedly sent around a blanket email last Friday to those working throughout the administration offering early payment of an annual bonus to anyone who doesn’t wish to return to United’s offices as the new co-owner aims to end working from home (WFH).

As per The Athletic, the new minority shareholder – who controls a 27.7% stake since his partial takeover in December 2023 – has issued a directive that staff must return to the office from 1 June, giving them a deadline of 12 noon on 5 June to decide whether they want to remain or not.

Following the apparent resignation terms, a club spokesperson has since qualified that while the offer was indeed sent en masse to existing staff, it is “isn’t a voluntary redundancy programme” and is simply offering those who don’t want to “work from the office full time” with an alternative.

🚨 United have made it compulsory to work from their offices in Manchester or London from 1 June. Staff have been offered early payment of an annual bonus if they resign by next Wednesday, as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s edict to get all employees into the club’s offices and his… pic.twitter.com/e8IDR8G8Sk
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) May 28, 2024

According to the representative, the package is there to “provide options for staff who don’t wish to return to the office to step away now”, with the outlet adding that the offer is also available to those who already work exclusively in-office but would like to leave with a payout.

This comes after Ratcliffe recently noted the lack of email traffic and queries being answered since WFH was made available following the pandemic, which came not long after he took aim at the untidiness around the club, labelling the state of several facilities as a “disgrace”.

The regular and potentially substantial bonus for many is still due in September but the idea seems to be to streamline United’s workforce as part of INEOS overhaul of the club’s financial strategy. The footballing giants have offices both here in Manchester and London.

As per multiple sources, the email reads: “To ensure we have enough space for colleagues to work safely, we will convert the Trinity Club, the Knights Lounge and the 1999 Suite in East Stand into office space. This is in addition to existing facilities in the Engine Room and elsewhere across the stadium…

“The London office will be reconfigured to allow additional space for teams. Some teams will also be based at the Ineos office at Hans Crescent in Knightsbridge.”

For balance, for many years, people at United have said the workforce is bloated, questioned what some colleagues do. But worth remembering many people do that with colleagues at lots of organisations, kinda familiar conversation at large companies.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) May 29, 2024

Ratcliffe is yet to fully install his new executive team as part of the rebuild, with CEO Omar Berrada having been appointed but not taking up his post until July, and Dan Ashworth still waiting to be dismissed by Newcastle United as he looks set to join the Red Devils.

As for on the touchline, Erik ten Hag’s future remains undecided after talk that he will be sacked following the FA Cup final, with the likes of Ipswich manager, the 23/24 LMA Manager of the Year and former United youth coach Kieran McKenna having already held meetings with the club.

However, given the manner in which the Dutchman’s side won the historic fixture, beating rivals Man City with one of their best performances of the season, he could very well be given a restoration of faith.

Either way, there’s a lot of movement going on at Old Trafford and it remains to be seen how many staff will take United up on their resignation offer.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group