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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
LakieLady · 24/02/2021 17:12

@Polkadotties

That would piss me off, I hate enforced ‘fun’. I get out of my house every day as I have a horse. In my lunch time I like to sit quietly, eat my lunch and watch something on my iPad. I wouldn’t want to spend it walking around
Yes, I agree. "Enforced fun" is an oxymoron imo, as "fun" must surely be something you decide to do because you enjoy it.

The minute it becomes compulsory, it's a chore, not fun. And I feel the same way about a compulsory trip to the pub, despite being someone who loves pubs (and drinking Grin) or at an office party.

GintyMcGinty · 24/02/2021 17:14

They can't insist on it.

But its a good idea. My work do this voluntarily. Can you not just do it? Its not that much to ask. It makes you come across as difficult.

JesusAteMyHamster · 24/02/2021 17:17

Why on earth are posters banging on about none existant disabilities ? The op hasn't stated she or anyone else has a disability. She just doesn't want to do it. Which is fine.

A lot of posters are saying it's a good idea. Which is also fine.

It's also bloody insulting to suggest that people who have disabilities can't exercise. A disabled person in an office environment could still take part by doing chairobics or something else they enjoy. The disabled person who works with my brother had one of those desk bike things under his table. He pedals away all day........if someone suggested to him they couldn't have a competitive exercise thing at lunchtime they'd be given very short shrift. And I wouldn't blame him. Hmm

The vast majority of people in the UK aren't disabled. They can easily walk 1000 steps in 10 minutes. And there are a million and one ways to include people who have disabilities in some form of exercise.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 24/02/2021 17:17

But if they were truly encouraging it, they'd be doing it in paid working hours.

This. If it's so important why not let people start late or finish early to do it. Or get a break throughout the day?

Or at least not set a time frame .

If they really cared it would've just been a suggestion and offered opportunities /incentives for it to be done during the work day to encourage uptake.

mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 17:17

@actanonverba22

Nope, that's not at all a straw man argument. I understand your comment to mean you are stumped and have realised your position here is indefensible.

The individual activities can be substituted at will in this thread - kayaking/strip club/5k/walking 1000 steps/ballet lessons on a Saturday morning/dog walking-cat fostering to help out the local shelter and raise the profile of the company in the community - but the principle remains exactly the same.

That is to say, activities designed by a manager that are not related to actual performance on the job, where participation is not actually voluntary at all because there are negative consequences for non-participation including but not limited to covering the work of those who win the day off, with the activities and the motivational factor designed regardless of the wide range of conditions and circumstances affecting employees' ability to participate, and deemed 'essential' elements of 'success' in any given company.

In real life, if employees are asked to accept that an employer is within his or her rights to make 'success' dependent on ability to participate in activities deemed 'requirements' to be seen as a 'team player' you are looking at exactly the same principle - an employer sets the bar regardless of protected characteristics and penalises those falling short of attributes such as physical fitness and physical conditions, and caring responsibilities.

In practice this means many women, people with disabilities, and older people won't 'succeed'.

It's disablist, ageist, and sexist, to the max.

Chanandlerbong01 · 24/02/2021 17:18

My friends a dog Walker, want me to ask her to forward on screen shots for you?

mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 17:19

Why on earth are posters banging on about none existant disabilities ? The op hasn't stated she or anyone else has a disability. She just doesn't want to do it. Which is fine.

Because the principle matters.

The principle being that an uneven playing field is discriminatory.

mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 17:19

It's also bloody insulting to suggest that people who have disabilities can't exercise. A disabled person in an office environment could still take part by doing chairobics or something else they enjoy. The disabled person who works with my brother had one of those desk bike things under his table. He pedals away all day........if someone suggested to him they couldn't have a competitive exercise thing at lunchtime they'd be given very short shrift. And I wouldn't blame him. hmm

The vast majority of people in the UK aren't disabled. They can easily walk 1000 steps in 10 minutes. And there are a million and one ways to include people who have disabilities in some form of exercise.

Jesus wept.

VaVaGloom · 24/02/2021 17:23

My work set some wellbeing activities / tasks - fine for anyone that wants to do them but I just ignored them.

Chimoia · 24/02/2021 17:23

Lead the rebellion against it. Others will follow.

faerin · 24/02/2021 17:23

1000 steps is nothing and would be very easily achievable, but I hate the idea of my boss pitting colleagues against one another like this. He's a manager not a fitness coach / competition runner.

JesusAteMyHamster · 24/02/2021 17:24

MathAnxiety.

You're talking to a person who has a disability (( one who's had to fight to keep mobility )). Who is also a carer for someone who has a disability.

And I'm pretty insulted by your attitude.

Jesus is probably well and truly weeping too. Hmm

mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 17:24

Can you not just do it? Its not that much to ask. It makes you come across as difficult.

And there, in a nutshell, is the problem: 'Difficult'

Women with babies/small children/SN children/who want to get a headstart on dinner/pump breastmilk/heavily pregnant/spd - difficult.

Employees who have a disability or illness - difficult.

What group are least likely to come across as 'difficult'?

SionnachGlic · 24/02/2021 17:24

We had this where I worked, iwe were given little pedometers...I worked out a way to shake it so it recorded 'steps'. I do my walks when I like & am pretty fit myself, thanks v much. I would wear the thing some days but the whole idea of being dictated to annoyed me to hell.... it was based on average steps per team so I opted out at week 2 when the team lickarse started organising group walks from 1.05-1.35pm. My day is 6.15 AM to 7PM usually....I want an actual break at breaktime.

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 24/02/2021 17:27

@CaramelCandle

They want screenshots from our phones to 'prove' it.
Tell them to get stuffed, what you do on your lunch break is your business, this in unenforceable.
mathanxiety · 24/02/2021 17:27

@JesusAteMyHamster -

You have no idea what circumstances the people on this thread live with.

One size does not fit all when it comes to disability.

There are laws on the books to prevent discrimnination against people with disabilities, women, and older employees because discrimination against all of those groups is a massive problem with huge repercussions.

endlesswicker · 24/02/2021 17:27

@actanonverba22

The level of vitriol this is receiving is disproportionate. Granted they should make the task equitable for all however. If you’re not willing to partake in an activity to make your work life more enjoyable then of course that’s your choice.

Also sorry but what on Earth is wrong with a bit of competition?! Everyone getting a medal doesn’t exactly teach resilience...

No, they shouldn't make the task equitable for all.

There shouldn't be a task in the first place. The employees are entitled to a lunch hour and the employer has absolutely no right to demand participation in a work event during their break.

Covidcorvid · 24/02/2021 17:28

@CaramelCandle

They want screenshots from our phones to 'prove' it.
Sorted that for you.
Work forcing walks
MatildaStoker · 24/02/2021 17:29

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

Not sure if it's been mentioned but they aren't actually giving anyone an extra half day off if they've already commandeered your lunch hours. I would just not do it - they are seriously overstepping.
This is an excellent point.

Even if you’re quite a quick walker, and it only takes you 10 minutes to walk 1000 steps, a months worth of that adds up to nearly 3 and a half hours.

So they’re demanding that you spend the equivalent of about a half day of your own time, during your unpaid lunch break - more if you can’t walk that fast - to be in with the chance of winning a half day off work.

Again, if someone wants to join in, or would be going for a walk at lunchtime anyway, that’s great for them, but it’s a rubbish deal for people who struggle with walking or whose personal circumstances mean it’s difficult to squeeze in a walk at a set time.

GintyMcGinty · 24/02/2021 17:29

And there, in a nutshell, is the problem: 'Difficult'
Women with babies/small children/SN children/who want to get a headstart on dinner/pump breastmilk/heavily pregnant/spd - difficult.
Employees who have a disability or illness - difficult.
What group are least likely to come across as 'difficult'?

Oops I missed the bit where the OP said she was being asked to do this pregnantly making the dinner surrounded by children whilst simultaneously breastfeeding from a wheelchair.

I thought she just didn't want to do it.

Covidcorvid · 24/02/2021 17:30

Alternatively but this....all the hardcore pokemon players have one.

phone stepper

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 24/02/2021 17:34

Why are people so lax with and dismissive of their rights and free time?

WeatherwaxOn · 24/02/2021 17:35

@FossilisedFanny

Just shake your phone while sitting with your feet up .
Yes, that's what I would do. Or bung it on top of the washing machine on a spin cycle for a short while.

If I want to go for a walk, I will. Some people may not be able to. I think everyone should flatly refuse, to be honest, but there will always be someone who'll go along with it and spoil it for the rest.

Employee wellbeing is all well and good but you can't enforce things on people like that.

ItsDinah · 24/02/2021 17:37

1,000 steps is roughly 2500 feet. I've calculated that would be 140 round trips to the kettle from my sofa or 102 round trips to the nearest loo. I must measure the sweetie aisle at Lidl to see how many times I would have to run up and down it. I am currently improving my fitness and diet by simply running past the sweetie aisle.

EileenGC · 24/02/2021 17:41

I have not read the full thread - over 400 messages - but has anyone mentioned the fact that you're able to ADD imaginary steps on your phone, even if you haven't done them? It's definitely an option on my iPhone, not sure about other brands?

If the pressure to collaborate with the team is that high (and you fancy half a day off), I'd just add random numbers each day and send the screenshots. Keep it really random so it's not obvious - 1357, 2452, 1185 and so on...