Massey skimps on staff’s coffee, tea, stationary, travel and catering

In a recent email, the Senior Leadership Team urge staff to reconsider any travel they have already planned for this year, and company cars are to be used for short distances. 

The new cost-saving initiatives sent on the 16th of August, come as Massey recorded an $8.8 million deficit in 2022 and recently announced a year-to-date operating deficit of $14.2m.    

The email said Massey had made the decision to “revise our refreshments provisions”. 

“Effective immediately, fruit teas and coffee beans will no longer be included in our curated selection available for purchase, nor will they be reimbursed via Flexi-purchase.”

The vice chancellor was last reported to earn $586,000 per annum.  

To fulfil its obligation under employment agreements that, “all employees are to receive free tea, coffee, milk and sugar for rest periods”, instant coffee, ‘standard’ tea varieties, Milo, milk and sugar would continue to be available for staff.

Company vehicles were to be used for “shorter distances”, saying drives between the Wellington and Manawatū campuses, and overnight stays incurring expenses were to be avoided unless approved as essential travel.

A Massey University spokesperson said, “These decisions have been hard to make, and the Senior Leadership Team recognise some staff may find them unsettling.”

The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) would review all domestic and international travel requests for the remainder of 2023, noting that some travel is externally funded, for example, via external research funds or via an external organisation.

Massey will no longer contribute (per-head) to end of year staff functions, saying this will save approximately $150,000 dollars. 

The email continued to say Massey was putting purchasing “non-essential stationary and equipment” on pause. 

Discretionary spend for catering for staff training sessions, meetings, and farewells was also to be paused, and any exceptions needed to be approved by the relevant SLT member.

The Massey spokesperson said, “There is a continuing need to look at every aspect of our operations – from large to small – and ensure our operations are fit for the future and able to continue to serve Aotearoa New Zealand”.

“While some of the measures outlined in the recent email to staff may appear to be minor cost savings, collectively they will have a positive impact on the university’s financial position.”