An Australian mining executive has voiced strong opposition to remote work, expressing a desire to keep his employees “captive all day long” and to deter them from venturing outside for a cup of coffee.

Chris Ellison, CEO and founder of Mineral Resources, a mining services firm valued at approximately £4 billion, stated that he prefers his workforce to remain on-site.

During the company’s annual results presentation, Ellison remarked, “We kind of figured out a few years ago how much that costs, wandering out around lunch time.” He emphasized his intention to maintain staff within the office.

Ellison, known as one of Australia’s wealthiest individuals, explained that he is investing in various amenities at the Mineral Resources’ headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, to encourage employees to stay on the premises. He stated, “When I get them up in the morning, I want to hold them captive all day long. I don’t want them walking down the road for a cup of coffee.”

To facilitate this, the company provides a restaurant, gym, and other facilities designed to keep employees engaged and present.

Last year, Mineral Resources is reported to have implemented a ban on remote work. Ellison urged other companies to adopt similar policies, remarking, “I wish everyone else would get onboard with that, the sooner the better. We can’t have people working three days a week and picking up five days’ a week pay.”

High-profile executives, including Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, have echoed concerns regarding remote work.

Despite these sentiments, many white-collar workers in Australia continue to work from home for part of the week. In the UK, hybrid work has gained widespread acceptance, according to research by property services firm CBRE.

Recent CBRE findings indicate that employers are seeing progress in enticing staff back into the office, with more companies reporting increased utilization of office spaces. The report noted that 43 percent of employees traveled to the office three or more days a week in comparison to 37 percent in 2023, although challenges persist in aligning employer expectations with employee preferences in the long term.

Ellison, aged 67 and originally from a disadvantaged background in rural New Zealand, established Mineral Resources in 2006. His net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion by Forbes.

In addition, he shared that the company is investing in childcare facilities to assist parents in returning to the office, offering services at significantly reduced costs compared to market rates.

Discussing the company’s nursery, he noted, “I found out one of the key things for our women, in particular, was that they spend about A$180 (£93) a day on day care. It’ll take 105 kids and it’ll cost them about A$20 a day. So another reason for them to come and enjoy work, drop the little tikes off next door. We’ve got doctors on board and nurses. We’re going to feed them, but mum and dad will be working in our office.”

After announcing a decline in profits and the cancellation of its dividend, the company’s share price dropped by 8 percent, with a market capitalization of about A$8 billion.