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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work forcing walks

872 replies

CaramelCandle · 24/02/2021 13:08

My whole team is wfh. The manager has decided that everyone needs to walk 1000 steps a day on their lunch hour for the next month. We've been put into teams and have to record the steps and the team with the most will win a half day off. There were a few people not keen to take part but everyone has been put into a team anyway. AIBU to think this is stupid? I understand the idea is to get people away from their desk etc but it's the way it's been done so that you're letting your team down if you don't take part that I think is unfair. Surely it would be better to give people a choice without the guilt.

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 24/02/2021 13:09

I don't think they can insist on that!

Myheadmyheart · 24/02/2021 13:11

I would hate that.

ComDummings · 24/02/2021 13:11

What a dumb idea. I hate forced ‘teamwork’ and ‘fun.’

unmarkedbythat · 24/02/2021 13:13

Have you a union?

Newfor2021 · 24/02/2021 13:14

If it’s on your lunch break then surely you’re not being paid for it and you can do whatever you like. I’m afraid I wouldn’t do it just because of being forced to do something in my own time. I’d probably still go for my daily walk, just not tell them!

someonelockthefridgealready · 24/02/2021 13:15

I'd enter exactly 1,000 steps every single day, but I am the queen of PA at work, so you probably shouldn't listen to me.

someonelockthefridgealready · 24/02/2021 13:15

(I wouldn't do them though, because I hate being told what to do in my private life by work.)

DynamoKev · 24/02/2021 13:17

YANBU they should fuck off.

BarbaraofSeville · 24/02/2021 13:18

Is that a typo? 1000 steps is nothing, it must be a 5-10 minute walk at most.

Even if it's 10000 steps, I think it's a good thing. Lots of people are suffering from mental health issues and lack of activity due to barely leaving the house and a decent walk each lunchtime will do a great deal to help with both. Plus by being a work thing it legitimises being unavailable for a good hour or two in the middle of the day.

lastqueenofscotland · 24/02/2021 13:18

1000 steps? That’s literally 10 minutes. I couldn’t get that worked up about that...

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 24/02/2021 13:18

They want screenshots from our phones to 'prove' it.

OP posts:
WonkyCactus · 24/02/2021 13:18

It sounds awful and unfair. How are you meant to record the steps? Can you just make up a number (not that you should have to!).

UrAWizHarry · 24/02/2021 13:19

Meh, if you don't want to do it, just don't do it.

1000 steps isn't very much though, and it's not the worst idea in the world to encourage people to get away from their desks for 5-10 minutes.

IrenetheQuaint · 24/02/2021 13:20

This is ridiculous - also obviously a massive problem for any members of your team with disabilities that affect mobility.

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 24/02/2021 13:21

Yes there are some people with disabilities who will struggle but this was ignored

OP posts:
edwinbear · 24/02/2021 13:22

If you don't want to go for a walk, don't, they're not actually 'forcing' you to, you just won't win the extra time off. I'd happily give up 10 mins of my lunch break once a day if it meant I could possibly get an extra half a days leave. The weather is lovely at the moment, and it's good to take a break from your screens. This wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I'd take it in the good spirit it's intended, but I do try and get out for some fresh air once a day anyway.

rawalpindithelabrador · 24/02/2021 13:24

I wouldn't want to spend my lunch hour in that way. It's for eating lunch. Lunch is my main meal of the day.

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 24/02/2021 13:27

If I don't take part, it's not just me that won't win the extra half day, it's the rest of the people in the same team too. It's that sort of peer pressure and guilt that is bothering me the most. If it was individual then that's fine as it wouldn't be affecting other people's chances.

OP posts:
ginnybag · 24/02/2021 13:28

Are those lunch breaks paid?

If not, they have precisely no right to insist you do anything at that time. Suggest if they want you walk as a work-place task, it's in working hours.

You equally could ask for the risk assessments for the work -task. Or point out that everyone is under a stay-at-home order unless they have to leave. This isn't an essential task.

Alternatively, if you are going out, use that, or just make something up each day. They're hardly going to ship you step-counters to make you 'prove it'.

Beautiful3 · 24/02/2021 13:28

I would do it to get half a day off!!! Love that idea, a real incentive to get fit. You dont have to do it.

YouWantToDoWhatInAPyrexDish · 24/02/2021 13:28

It’s your lunch hour - they can’t tell you what to do during that. One of the benefits of wfh might be squeezing in an hour long episode of something on Netflix while eating your sandwich prepared that morning in readiness ...

If they insist this is somehow a work related activity that must be done it should be done during work time.

DorotheaDiamond · 24/02/2021 13:29

See if waving your phone backwards and forwards counts it as steps...

FossilisedFanny · 24/02/2021 13:30

Just shake your phone while sitting with your feet up .

BestZebbie · 24/02/2021 13:30

Stick your phone on top of the washing machine as it does a spin? That should get you some steps...

GoodbyeH · 24/02/2021 13:31

How will you know how many steps you have done? Are you supposed to count as you walk? That's so boring!!