Outgoing BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has joined his successor Andrew Mackenzie in Perth this week for a "road show" to explain the rationale behind the mining giant's succession planning to its Perth workforce.

Mr Kloppers and Mr Mackenzie hosted a town hall-style meeting in front of BHP's about 3000 local staff at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre on Monday.

BHP was tight-lipped yesterday on what was discussed during the meeting, saying simply it was a chance for employees to hear firsthand about the company's plans when Mr Kloppers hands over the baton to Mr Mackenzie on May 10.

However, it is understood one of the hot topics on the lips of BHP employees on Monday was whether the company's infamous clean desk policy at its Brookfield Place head office would continue under Mr Mackenzie's reign.

The policy, in keeping with Mr Kloppers' demands across BHP's operations, requires employees to keep only a "sensible amount of lollies" at their desks - because eating was banned - and only a single A5-size photo frame.

The company also encourages a paperless workplace at Brookfield Place, with cleaners instructed to take all excess paper from desks.