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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Forced fun at work

94 replies

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 31/03/2020 09:44

Since we've all been WFH my boss has made it his mission to force us all to have 'fun' at work. Things like daily quizzes, film yourself doing something ridiculous and post it to the Whatsapp group, wear silly headgear for the weekly team video call. I'm finding it all a bit draining. I know his heart's in the right place but I constantly ignore everything and he's making me feel bad. I'm the oldest in the team by nearly 10 years and I feel like the old grumpy one, but FFS really?! AIBU not to be arsed with this rubbish?!

Tell me what your teams are doing to keep spirits up and lets see if I can make some constructive suggestions to improve the current silliness!

OP posts:

JustFrustrated · 31/03/2020 10:46

I work in a field based roll, so don't see my colleagues from one month to the next, some members of the team I don't see apart from once a year.

We're now all in a WhatsApp group that usually is retained for important work memos from senior staff, but now is anything.

We've used teams to have a "lock in" and a pub quiz, we've had stupid exercise video challenges (which i surprised everyone by doing) we all dip in and out. Some is contrived, but it's important we do this.

And for as long as I see my manager doing the exercise vids (sorry boss, my bad) I'll do them and take part - to support her.

But maybe thats the difference here, we're all - work friends. I know my managers personal worries, she supported me through a hard time emotionally, we've all supported someone else through their relationship breakdown, so to us...this is an extension of the same thing.

We're also having daily catch up video calls as individual teams - they've all seen me without makeup, not such a fan of that.

RandomMess · 31/03/2020 10:49

What a shame with all my internet issues my web cam isn't working...

ShadyAcromat · 31/03/2020 10:50

Just do this: twitter.com/PettyClegg/status/1244649528285855746

Be that potato.

Original poster

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 31/03/2020 10:52

Hahaha love the potato!

OP posts:

AutumnRose1 · 31/03/2020 10:58

Horrendous

Working at home is the dream, partly because you don’t have to do shit like this.

PoorlyWeasels · 31/03/2020 10:58

We've been having daily quizzes, which I actually enjoy, but then I've been off sick for 2 weeks since this whole business started (finally, finally starting to feel human) so I don't know what else its morphed into.

I cannot bear enforced "fun", because it generally isn't.

We had a "fun" ice-breaker at a Team Event that involved the larger team being divided into 3 teams (deliberately mixed up so not with your normal team), each making a circle and throwing multiple balls. Hugely triggered my anxiety as I can neither throw nor catch and was convinced people would have a go at me for dropping the balls (memories of PE and never being picked, and a sporty father who took it personally that I was so "useless").

Did complain afterwards and initially they didn't take it seriously, until someone higher pointed out the whole non-inclusive aspect of such a physical activity, when you don't personally know all the people involved.

luckylavender · 31/03/2020 11:00

Sounds dire. But at least you have a job.

ClientQueen · 31/03/2020 11:00

Nothing here. We have to ring people so about 150 calls a day. No video chats, quizzes, anything. Bliss

malloo · 31/03/2020 11:01

YANBU. I would hate that. I'm getting pretty fed up of all the Skype calls too, can't get any work done because people keep phoning all the time. Plus virtual coffee breaks. Thing is, I don't chat that much when I'm in the office and rarely go for coffee breaks, now all of a sudden its all the time! I'm trying to make an effort and not be too grumpy, I know some people are really struggling with being at home, so I think its kind to help them. But it makes me more stressed. Truth is, I'm quite happy sitting here on my own!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 31/03/2020 11:02

Refuse to turn my cam on. Refuse to do the fun shit. Deep down I know I should, but I hate it so much I am sure it will show.

Dandarabilla · 31/03/2020 11:04

Just don’t do it, don’t get involved. I am sure it’s not mandatory. If I were you I would have a serious word with your boss.

Original poster

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 31/03/2020 11:07

I did comment on one particularly forceful Whatsapp (because I hadn't submitted my video of me doing something stupid) that I was too old for this schizzle, and he said 'what? Too old for fun?' Not my idea of fun mate.

OP posts:

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 31/03/2020 11:08

weekly team video call

weekly, weekly?
OK, so no enforced jollity, silly hats, quizzes, but we 'keep our spirits up' with twice daily team meetings. In addition to all the other meetings to actually discuss work.

Shinyletsbebadguys · 31/03/2020 11:09

Fortunately most of my team are relatively grumpy and the ones that have chirpy tendencies tend to appreciate our general level of grumpiness.

Although I will say the tips shared for those of us with DC at home are useful , currently today everyone is watching panda cam at Edinburgh zoo in between meetings, koala cam is quite popular too. One team member is claiming her cat is watching.

I'm not sure we are being "fun" noone really likes that rubbish, but we are all going a tad loopy so cute animals helps.

Our CEO on the whole company zooms is driving us all mad with the forced jolllity though. Fortunately they are so big you can get away with switching the camera off and wandering off to make dinner. Hmm come to think of it maybe we should develop a rota, if we all do it she might cotton on.

Dontjumptoconclusions · 31/03/2020 11:10

Be polite and firm.

"it's not really my kinda thing, but thanks for the invite" or "sorry I'm on a deadline I don't have time!" something like that.

I get where the boss is coming from, but let's be honest, we want to just get the work done and call it a day.

adaline · 31/03/2020 11:11

Christ, "organised fun" is the most cringeworthy thing on this planet.

Why on earth would anyone go along with that kind of nonsense?

Cissyandflora · 31/03/2020 11:18

Oh gosh that’s so awful. I can’t get involved with stuff like that. I once had a training course for one day a week for 12 weeks. At the start of each day everyone was given a little child’s sticker as a reward for being there. I steadfastly refused that bloody sticker for the 12 weeks. I was the only one not to smile and go along with it but it still makes me cross just thinking about it.

Deathraystare · 31/03/2020 11:24

Wow! I don't know how i'd cope with forced fun!

I do have to put a cheery face/voice on when answering phone calls of the I asked for XX Ward "Yes dear I put you through but obviously they are not answering". Either they are busy or the patients have smashed up the phones. Again.

I had been expecting a whole load of bother when we went no visitors allowed on the wards, but everyone has been fine. Phew!

Parkandride · 31/03/2020 11:29

I am considerably less "fun" than my "fun" office but I accept that people will be struggling with loneliness, worries, mental health issues etc and they may appreciate the contact. Given up watching the joke videos being whatsapped around though, there's only so many laughing smilies one can share in return...

The other night we did get pissed on virtual after work drinks and I really enjoyed it so maybe there's hope for you yet

Original poster

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 31/03/2020 11:29

Fun for today is online bingo. I thought yeah ok I'll give that a go, until I see that if you get a house you have to video yourself saying 'house' in the silliest way possible and post it to Whatsapp.

I really need a new job.

OP posts:

LyndaSnellsSniff · 31/03/2020 11:35

I see so much of this stuff. I think keeping in touch is vital but enforced jolliness is just awful.

I do wonder if we’re peaking too soon with regards to online fun? Can we really sustain this for months??

Another bugbear (and i freely admit to being a miserable git) is when people post screenshots of themselves on Facebook having lots of super fun with others on Zoom etc. It’s the virtual equivalent of posting pics of the fun night out i haven’t been invited to!

otterturk · 31/03/2020 11:38

Ours has set up daily 'check in cup of tea' chats before or after the working day where we can have a cup of tea an da chat about what's been on TV. I would rather eat my own soul.

TheGreatWave · 31/03/2020 11:39

Headgear you say?

Read your op, scrolled down to see an ad of two pairs of pants (Jo's cervical trust).

An unfortunate juxtaposition perhaps.

billy1966 · 31/03/2020 11:41

OP, what an additional nightmare.

How about you contact him privately and tell him nicely that this bullshit is making you feel additional stress and isolation at a difficult time and request he backs off.

If he doesn't....then he is a bit of a prick and I would revert to ignoring it.

Any blow back .......you can refer to your email...

You should be able to work in peace from home without this annoyance..

otterturk · 31/03/2020 11:41

@PoorlyWeasels you really complained about having to catch a ball...?!

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