Why this luxurious workplace in Sydney is being called out by Aussies - even though it has an indoor cricket pitch and golf simulator
A financial services companys new office featuring a golf simulator, indoor cricket pitch and table tennis has copped flak online for appearing to be a female-unfriendly boys club - but the CEO insists its an unfair portrayal.
A financial services companys new office featuring a golf simulator, indoor cricket pitch and table tennis has copped flak online for appearing to be a female-unfriendly boys club - but the CEO insists its an unfair portrayal.
In a social media post the company, 26 Degrees - which provides expertise, technology, integrity, and a uniquely Australian spirit to power customised financial solutions - spruiked its new global headquarters in Sydney.
After months of eager anticipation, the newly built 26 Degrees Sydney office at Sub Base Platypus in North Sydney has finally reached completion, it posted about the makeover, completed two months ago.
Pictures of the fit-out show a cavernous, warehouse-like space decked out with various boys toys.
In one shot, an artificial turf cricket pitch is laid out behind a lounge, with a basketball hoop and a set of golf clubs also visible.
Another shot shows two men playing table tennis in front of a curtained-off lounge area, while other pictures show a racing car set-up next to a pinball machine and a man playing an iron shot in front of a golf course simulator.
And not a woman in sight… one person commented on The Aussie Corporate Instagram post about the office.
I’m thinking (it) must be a very male dominated workplace, another posted.
In a social media post the company, 26 Degrees - which provides expertise, technology, integrity, and a uniquely Australian spirit to power customised financial solutions - spruiked its new global headquarters in Sydney
Another shot shows two men playing table tennis in front of a curtained-off lounge area, while other pictures show a racing car set-up next to a pinball machine and man playing an iron shot in front of a golf course simulator
Wow, a frat house, one person posted, referencing single-sex US college fraternities.
The most bro working environment ever, one person remarked, while another said it looks like it smells like Lynx.
But Gavin White, 26 Degrees Group CEO, strongly refutes the suggestion the Sydney office is a glorified boys club.
The office has been very much been designed with our many talented female staff in mind, he told Daily Mail Australia.
We not only have the cricket, basketball and golf - which the female staff also love, by the way - but we have a dedicated yoga-stretching-Peloton room which is very popular.
We have classes weekly for yoga and Pilates in our gym.
We also have fully stocked showers with hygiene supplies and amenities... Dyson hairstyling supplies – dryer, straightener, airwrap, etc.
I spent 25 years working in American investment banks and absolutely hated their very macho, very dog-eat-dog culture, said Mr White.
Its not Australian for me and now Ive been lucky to build something and do it our way.
The comments about it being a boys club environment is exactly what we were trying to avoid.
We not only have the cricket, basketball, golf - which the female staff also love, by the way - but we have a dedicated yoga-stretching-Peloton room which is very popular, Group CEO Gavin White told Daily Mail Australia
The comments about it being a boys club environment is exactly what we were trying to avoid said Mr White
Mr White said approximately 70-80 people work at the North Sydney headquarters, including about 30 women. About 60 per cent of employees are 28 years or under. The firm also has offices in London, Tokyo and Cyprus.
He said the well-equipped North Sydney workspace is just one part of a culture to attract and retain talented employees, noting the flexibility to only work two days in the office, annual leave rollovers, different types of paid leave and mental health initiatives for staff were just as significant.
The CEO also said publicity around the new office - both positive and negative - has had an unexpected benefit.
Weve never had so many job applications in the past week... an influx of applications, particularly for our internship program which starts in December, he said.
Im happy for people to criticise us because Im proud of what weve done.
