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Original poster

'Teambuilding' at the weekend

110 replies

whatdidyousaaay · 04/06/2024 11:33

I work 9-5 Monday to Friday and that's all I'm contracted for. Our team has had a few issues (mostly due to a couple of people being very unpleasant and upsetting everyone!) and so the boss has decided to host a teambuilding activity. One of the unpleasant people won't be attending, having made a good excuse in advance, but the other will. The event is on a Sunday and, while it's free for staff, it's an outdoor activity (which I usually like, but this is not my cup of tea) and we will need to provide our own food. The boss doesn't need to pay for this (is just paying for transport as the activity is free) so won't lose money if I don't attend. Would you just suck it up and go or would you respectfully decline? It's very much expected that we will attend.

It's all day and is around 2 hours from where we live.

YABU - of course you should go
YANBU - no way!

OP posts:
Nonewclothes2024 · 04/06/2024 14:46

Absolutely no from me.

Maddy70 · 04/06/2024 14:37

Absolutely not.

My time is my time

betterangels · 04/06/2024 14:35

Unpaid and two hours away on a Sunday? No hope in hell.

StripeyDeckchair · 04/06/2024 14:33

What's the point if one of the problem people in the team isn't going?

2hrs each way travel plus the event
Are you being paid overtime? Being given an additional days leave?
Can you claim your mileage?

No, I wouldn't be going.
Weekends are precious and this sounds like team building on the cheap so I doubt it will be effective

LadyWhistledownMarkTwo · 04/06/2024 14:22

No way would I go.

Rewis · 04/06/2024 14:21

Oh fuck no unless it is compensated. I don't mind an odd "mandatory" after work event on my free time or attending a christmas do. But a full day team building 2h away from home? Nope

CleftChin · 04/06/2024 12:24

Well, I couldn't really, as a single mum with no childcare (and no way would I be paying out what would likely be over 100 quid for a full day on a Sunday)..

And having to bring your own food too!

Nope. My boss does have enforced team building - but at least food (and booze in the evening) is freely available - and I do actually like the people I work with!

NevergonnagiveHughup · 04/06/2024 12:21

Absolutely not. I’d only go if it was scheduled Monday to Friday and I’d be clear on that with my boss.

transformandriseup · 04/06/2024 12:19

Well it would a no from me as my husband works weekends so I would have no childcare.

Hotttchoc · 04/06/2024 12:18

Erm no this should be in work time

What about people who need childcare?

I don't think I'd go unless it's something I really wanted to do or loved spending time with the people

Bouledeneige · 04/06/2024 12:17

Nope don't go. Team building should be for work days. What are single parents and carers supposed to do? Shell out for childcare? . It's not inclusive and your manager is a dickhead.

cheddercherry · 04/06/2024 12:16

No, I’d be pointing out that one of the reasons for said event is not going to be there so what’s the point. Manager should spend their Sunday learning how to manage a team more effectively than letting two people be so disruptive.

KimberleyClark · 04/06/2024 12:14

I think most team building events are box ticking exercises that very rarely achieve anything meaningful.

Lurkingandlearning · 04/06/2024 12:13

But this isn’t a team building issue. Your manager has two staff he cannot manage effectively enough to stop them making an unpleasant environment for the team, who presumably do a good job.

If anyone needs additional training it is your manager. He needs to learn how to manage disruptive staff and show appreciation for the rest of the team

Gettingbysomehow · 04/06/2024 12:12

I never ever go to team building exercises. It's lazy and ineffective management dealing with bullying issues in this way.

GaraMedouar · 04/06/2024 12:10

My initial reaction to this was ‘hahahaha - nope’ — and after thinking about it it’s still the same!
can’t think of anything worse!

LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/06/2024 12:09

It's either optional or they pay you to go. Really this should be held during working hours, I know you are trying to get out of it OP but its really shit for people with caring responsibilities who might actually want to go.

I have gone out with my colleagues on the weekend before, but I like them and our boss always gets us a pub lunch too!

Lucylaughing · 04/06/2024 12:07

I'd only do this if I had an extra day of annual leave in lieu to take whenever I wanted, and I like my team.
Work event on a Sunday, two hours from home? Absolutely not

Nottherealslimshady · 04/06/2024 12:06

They have to pay you for your time for that surely?

DP has to go to things sometimes, it's a good job and an excellent company with good opportunity for promotion so he is quite active in partaking. They also do family socials and footy trips.

For travel 2 hours away he'd be provided with a hotel the night before and food and drinks are paid for that night. If it was a working day he'd get his usual pay plus overtime for the travel and overnight stay. For a weekend he'd get paid the overtime for the whole event.

You're not required to work outside of your working hours so they have to pay you to do so.

IBegYourBiggestPardon · 04/06/2024 12:05

Personally I'd rather fork out my own eyeballs and eat them, than attend a team building exercise. Don't get me wrong I get on perfectly fine with everyone I work with. I just don't do shite like that.

Notsonifty50 · 04/06/2024 12:05

...and spend it with people you don't like? Are they paying you for it? I would definitely be declining!

Notsonifty50 · 04/06/2024 12:02

They want you to travel four hours, give up one of your days off

B1anche · 04/06/2024 12:00

Your boss sounds like a cheapskate! I'd be amazed if anyone attends!

Strictlymad · 04/06/2024 11:59

How on earth would I word the email that says noooooooooo

parkrun500club · 04/06/2024 11:51

Whenever my employers hold weekend social events I am away for the weekend.

Whether I actually am or not.

edited: I don't dislike my colleagues but I like to keep them at arm's length and definitely don't want to see their kids and dogs.

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