While many Australian employees relish the prospect of a complimentary meal during a working lunch, staff at one of the nation's Big Four banks have been left feeling decidedly underwhelmed. Workers at ANZ Centre in Melbourne's Docklands precinct have been offered the chance to enjoy a sausage sizzle in their office's designated BBQ area this Wednesday, but at a personal cost of $10 per head.
The Costly Sausage Sizzle Details
The $10 fee grants each participant one sausage in bread, complete with onions and condiments, accompanied by a soft drink and an ice cream. For those with a heartier appetite, an additional sausage will set them back a further $5. This pricing structure has raised eyebrows, particularly when compared to the beloved Bunnings sausage sizzle model, where a sausage in bread typically costs $3.50 and a cold drink $2.50, with onions and condiments provided free of charge—a practice considered quintessentially Australian.
Office Announcement and Logistics
A sign posted in the office, under the banner of ANZ Catering, welcomed staff back with the announcement: "We will be hosting a sausage sizzle in the Core B BBQ area for ANZ staff." The notice detailed that the event would run for just one hour, from 12pm, requiring staff to carefully time their lunch breaks. Attendance is capped at 100 people, with tickets available for purchase at the main reception on the Upper Ground Floor, and possession of a ticket is mandatory for entry.
This is not an isolated occurrence; records indicate a similar lunch was held on December 9 at the same price point, suggesting it may be a recurring corporate catering initiative. There is no indication from the promotional materials that this event is linked to any charitable cause.
Public and Internal Reaction
The office's catering social media channels have remained silent on the matter, but public commentary has not. The Aussie Corporate, a noted commentator, expressed a blunt assessment online, stating: "Grim stuff at ANZ, making you pay $10 for a sausage sizzle." This sentiment likely echoes the disappointment felt by many staff members who anticipated a more traditional, cost-free office perk.
The Daily Mail has reached out to both ANZ and ANZ Catering for an official statement regarding the pricing and rationale behind the charged lunch event. As of now, no response has been publicly issued, leaving employees and observers to ponder the corporate catering strategy at play.
