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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:
biddybird · 24/02/2021 15:14

Tell them it's your lunch break and you'll be walking to the fridge and back.

BaronessBomburst · 24/02/2021 15:14

Ignoring the fact that they shouldn't be forcing this on you in the first place, you could cheat and use Pokewalk.
You just download it from the app store, select the distance you want to cover, and it'll add the steps to your fitness tracker.
PokémonGo players use it for hatching eggs. The swinging your phone in a sock trick also works, although an old stocking gives more bounce for less effort.

actanonverba22 · 24/02/2021 15:14

@sunflowersandbuttercups fine it’s free time, again anyone can choose to invest time in their ‘team’ whether inside or outside of work

BlokeHereInPeace · 24/02/2021 15:18

If this is in the UK then it is in breach of the Equalities Act 2010.

The employer is breaking the law by preventing employees with a protected characteristic from getting additional leave.

I didn't read all the posts so sorry if this has been covered. If the OP is in a union then it would be wise to ask them to deal with this.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 24/02/2021 15:18

[quote actanonverba22]@sunflowersandbuttercups fine it’s free time, again anyone can choose to invest time in their ‘team’ whether inside or outside of work[/quote]
Yes, of course people can choose to do what they want.

But your free time activities should not have an impact on your work life. Doing "X" out of work shouldn't mean you get free annual leave at work.

It's discriminatory and illegal. Makes me incredibly glad that I work for myself if this is the attitude that some employers have towards their employees.

mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 15:19

If you struggle to be assigned to a group at work

Groups at work who work on projects together are not a problem because people tend to be on an even playing field involving actual work skills, and the people in the groups have been hired for their ability to contribute actual work skills.

Groups in which people are expected to participate in physical activities otoh, tend to involve very uneven playing fields.

I find it very troubling that people can't understand this.

Hoping none of those wondering what the problem is are not managers.

Belladonna12 · 24/02/2021 15:21

It's a terrible idea and I'm sure it breaks the equalities act if anyone in your workplace is disabled. Find a way to cheat.

lovemelongtime · 24/02/2021 15:21

10000 is quite a lot - I am relatively fit and did a similar challenge recently . Far too much to expect - but do it once really slowly and then tell them how long it took you. They might change their tune after that.

But seriously - no they cannot mandate that. I work in HR and it wouldnt even get air time.

Heyahun · 24/02/2021 15:24

Jesus it’s hardly any steps at all I don’t see the problem tbh! Everyone should be getting at minimum that many steps a day!

TwunchOfBats · 24/02/2021 15:25

Not unreasonable at all. Assuming, of course, you and your team are all

a) five years old
AND
b) under the parental care of your 'manager'

nancywhitehead · 24/02/2021 15:25

Yuck. I'd hate this and although I think the employer has good intentions, I would not take part on principle.

I love going for walks and do it regularly but this is a terrible idea. It puts unfair pressure on people with the team aspect and the half day off. It also seems to ignore the fact that your lunch break is unpaid and they can't insist you do anything in that time.

If they are insisting on this then they need to be giving you an extra half hour at lunch time to do it (although even then it's very bit iffy, as I doubt it's in your job description, and requiring you to leave the house at a specific time of day when you may have children at home or other responsibilities is still not really on).

Tell the boss you don't want to do it, or if you're uncomfortable with that, discuss it with HR. How do your colleagues feel about it, out of interest?

FossilisedFanny · 24/02/2021 15:27

Jesus it’s hardly any steps at all I don’t see the problem tbh! Everyone should be getting at minimum that many steps a day

Read the Op and the many many replies stating why this is a problem.

daisychain01 · 24/02/2021 15:27

Dear Manager

I need to point out that during the Covid19 it is a recognised fact that women are far more likely to bear the burden of home schooling that their male counterparts. I am currently having to balance my role responsibilities with home schooling my children.

Whilst exercise is important, it is a nice-to-have for me until my children are back in school. I am therefore unable to take part in this activity, as it competes with my work and family priorities.

Lemonsyellow · 24/02/2021 15:27

@Heyahun

Jesus it’s hardly any steps at all I don’t see the problem tbh! Everyone should be getting at minimum that many steps a day!
Clearly you have been unable to read the thread. The problem has been pointed out by lots of people several times.
daisychain01 · 24/02/2021 15:27

Covid19 lockdown

ememem84 · 24/02/2021 15:27

to answer some questions re my post which appears to have caused a bit of a fuss too.

It's not mandatory. Everyone is included if they want to be.

Currently we do not have any physically disabled staff, or staff who are physically disabled and unable to walk. so it's not an issue. i suppose that if we did, then things would be adapted.

As they were when I was pregnant both times. the first time i took part and special dispensation was given to me. I still won two months though as am very active. in the time this has been going on , i've been the only pregnant one in the office. so what they do next time someone is pregnant i don't know.

in terms of mental health, exercise has been shown to help boost mood. however i appreciate that you have to be in the right frame of mind to do it in the first place. and if you aren't in that place for whatever reason, then having a challenge like this isn't going to help things.

but there is no exclusion. its not mandatory. you don't have to do it. people pick and choose the times they take part. some months i take part. some i don't. when i used to travel for work, i'd maybe miss out because i knew i'd be spending hours sat on planes etc so missing out on steps

i'm taking part this month and so far today i have got 8,000 plus steps. i had to go tot he post office this lunchtime, so took a walk. then did a bit of a food shop. and have pottered around the house as well as working. i have bluetooth headphones so have taken calls while walking round the house. have chased the kids around this morning before nursery, and will do the same before bed.

Fuckadoodledoooo · 24/02/2021 15:28

This is in general, but why are people so afraid to say "no, I won't be taking part"?

I wouldn't have accepted that when I was working. I did my job. That was it.

Petrarkanian · 24/02/2021 15:28

I haven't read the full thread so don't know if this has been mentioned apologies if it has.

Do some knitting my Fitbit registers each stitch as a step.

Fuckadoodledoooo · 24/02/2021 15:29

(Maybe that's why I've never progressed, but I have no time for stuff like that or any other team things, I just do the job they employed me to do).

daisychain01 · 24/02/2021 15:30

It's ludicrous and clueless of them telling you that you have to go out in all weathers. Don't they realise if you have children, you'll spend most of the lunch break putting on and taking off their wet weather gear and getting them organised.

actanonverba22 · 24/02/2021 15:30

You could be an amazing, knowledgeable person at work. If you don’t invest time in your team, this is from both sides, you won’t get far in that organisation.
We do understand that asking people to complete physical activities in an inequitable setting is discriminatory.

TheOrigRights · 24/02/2021 15:30

They can sod off!

I do my 5 or 6 mile run at the time that suits me (lone parent with a child at home).

I could easily do 1000 steps during a break, but buggered if my employers will dictate to me when I do my sport.

Lemonsyellow · 24/02/2021 15:32

@ememem84
How do you know there are no staff with any physical or mental issues?

sunflowersandbuttercups · 24/02/2021 15:32

@Heyahun

Jesus it’s hardly any steps at all I don’t see the problem tbh! Everyone should be getting at minimum that many steps a day!
Read the thread Hmm

.

Juno231 · 24/02/2021 15:34

@lovemelongtime you read one zero too many!

Loving this thread lol, so many people up in arms over a measly 1000 steps.

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