BHP tough on curry lunches and post-it notes

23 Aug 2011, 1:11 pm
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BHP Biliton's strict office policy sparks debate.(AAP)

BHP Biliton's strict office policy sparks debate.(AAP)

The company's strict office environment policy has stirred debate over appropriate workplace etiquette

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If you like to decorate your cubicle, nibble snacks at your desk and throw your coat casually over the back of your chair – then working for BHP Biliton may not be for you.

The Australian and SMH Online reported that the mining giant’s strict office etiquette policy was emailed to employees in Brisbane this month.

According to the memo, additional clothing must be stored in designated areas, MP3 players can’t be used, mobile phone ring-tones must be kept low and post-it notes must be removed from computer monitors at the end of the day.

Over- individualising your work space is out in general. Employees are allowed one framed picture, but cleaners are instructed to throw away anything else on an employee’s desk that is not a computer or office-related tool.

And forget about those curry lunches - pungent food is completely banned.

BHP Billiton spokeswoman Samantha Stevens told the Courier-Mail the policy was not new and were simply a matter of manners. “Firstly, this is the same policy that is at all of our head offices around the country.”

She said to her knowledge no employees had made complaints, but comments on various social media forums  questioned whether the harsh rules promoted low morale and de-humanised the workplace.

 

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Your Comments

Big Business

Disillusioned - from Sydney, 9 months ago

As if we needed any more reasons to despise Big Business. If it's not bad enough that they own both major political parties, they demand that poor Joe taxpayer socialise their losses and subsidise the bonuses of the big bosses. Big Business are the job destroyers, anti family and anti small business. They are the destroyers of healthy communities. Very little good can be said of big Business and that's why they pay brown paper bags to pollies to ensure the ACCC drives all competition away.

Vegies

Robert H - from Corrimal, 9 months ago

Vegetarianism is harmless enough though it is apt to fill a man with wind and self-righteousness.

Mrs

Kathleen Dearing - from RYDE, 9 months ago

I agree. People should go to work, to work and be paid for it. Not have a social function at their desk. It all boils down to self respect for oneself and for the Company that employs them. And of, some people don't know any better. I also work for a company where at the end of the day even if a coffee cup is on the desk it goes in the bin.

Pungent Smell

Alan - from Wollongong, 9 months ago

The only pungent smell is the one coming from Bluescope Steels top executives who have pocketed millions of dollars in bonuses as the company lays off 1000 workers and shuts down production.

Project admin

Matthew Reid - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

I worked for eight years in the BHP Billiton office in Melbourne. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that complaints about the strict policy were aired amongst employees on a daily basis. This is one of the reasons I no longer work for them. It is also rumored to be due to the fact that CEO Marius Kloppers is a vegetarian that hot food has been banned and microwaves removed from BHP offices.

Meh

Ryan - from Gold coast, 9 months ago

What a bunch of nazis. Wonder if the big pay packet is worth losing your soul.

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