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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:
Cherrysoup · 25/02/2021 16:18

Man above, having just come off crutches for a life long mobility issue, I’d be fuming at this. This is such a bonkers request/demand from the OP’s manager.

mathanxiety · 25/02/2021 17:18

Nail on the head there, @MsMarch.

Leontine · 25/02/2021 17:21

Waving your phone back and forth counts as steps, or put your phone in your pocket and jiggle your leg. That method registers 1km in about 10 minutes.

Margerine78 · 25/02/2021 17:25

If you mean 10,000 then that's quite a lot, I average around 10,000 when I walk into town from my flat to run errands and that takes up a whole hour (I have short legs though!). That's your whole lunch break, are you meant to eat a sandwich on the go? Sod them, if they're that keen they should give you an hour's walking time daily on top of lunch break, or give you an hour and a half lunch break at least!

Scoobydoobydo · 25/02/2021 17:25

Who the hell do they think they are?
It's your time!
If you want to do it, do it
If you want to spend the entire 60 mins eating cake, do it
It's your time, spend it how you want

Yogalola · 25/02/2021 17:25

Sounds like a great idea, 1000 steps is nothing and achievable for all. It will do you good and may even help you all lose a few pounds . An incentive of winning a half day is worth having, go for it and enjoy.

Ihatefish · 25/02/2021 17:26

Hold your phone in your right hand make offscreen wanking gestures at your team leader -that should do it

BestBeforeddmmyy · 25/02/2021 17:27

I think I would be impressed that my boss was interested in supporting staff well being and taking an interest in their health. As others have said though, 1,000 steps is only a 5 or 10 minute walk.

Yellow78 · 25/02/2021 17:28

@Ihatefish

Hold your phone in your right hand make offscreen wanking gestures at your team leader -that should do it
🤣🤣🤣
Sarahrellyboo1987 · 25/02/2021 17:29

Tell them that lunches are unpaid and that what they’re asking is completely unenforceable. If they have concerns about individuals then they should support them individually.
However, you will not participating in any team and are happy to be in a team by yourself. You’ll reward yourself with a bottle vodka, a kebab and some booze related Amazon purchases!

Size5s · 25/02/2021 17:31

Can you strap it to a neighbours dog?
I don't get paid for my hours lunch, therefore I'm entitled to do what I want. If they want the step, they can take it in work time, as is a work request/requirement

Sarahrellyboo1987 · 25/02/2021 17:32

@Yogalola who said she needs to lose a few pounds? Bizarre assumption.

Additionally, this isn’t achievable for everyone. As a parent of a child with complex disabilities I’d love to be able to just go out at lunch, at a specified time and walk 1000 steps. But, I can’t. Epilepsy sucks. Heart issues sucks. Anxiety sucks. Sensory Processing Dysfunction sucks. Joint dislocations and swelling suck. But, hey...achievable for all 🙄

LILLYPRINT · 25/02/2021 17:34

Bloomin cheek. Lunch time is for you, not for the firm to dictate what you do.

Lemonsyellow · 25/02/2021 17:35

@BestBeforeddmmyy

I think I would be impressed that my boss was interested in supporting staff well being and taking an interest in their health. As others have said though, 1,000 steps is only a 5 or 10 minute walk.
Sigh. Only a 5 or 10 minute walk? Really? Supporting staff well-being ? Really? Taking an interest in their health? Really?
JustLyra · 25/02/2021 17:35

@BestBeforeddmmyy

I think I would be impressed that my boss was interested in supporting staff well being and taking an interest in their health. As others have said though, 1,000 steps is only a 5 or 10 minute walk.
How is he taking an interest in the health of the staff by A) impinging on their own free time and B) putting pressure on people with health issues and/or disabilities to take part in a competitive physical activity?
ticktox · 25/02/2021 17:38

Ok - would dislike this and disabilities should be accommodated
BUT
FFS - it’s a positive thing and why do we all have to be such misery guts....

LemonadeSunshine · 25/02/2021 17:39

Do you have a dog that likes walking around in the day...?

Lemonsyellow · 25/02/2021 17:40

@ticktox

Ok - would dislike this and disabilities should be accommodated BUT FFS - it’s a positive thing and why do we all have to be such misery guts....
It’s actually a negative thing to do and would make many people miserable.
JustLyra · 25/02/2021 17:41

@ticktox

Ok - would dislike this and disabilities should be accommodated BUT FFS - it’s a positive thing and why do we all have to be such misery guts....
How is it a positive thing?
starfishmummy · 25/02/2021 17:45

@EmpressWitchDoesntBurn

Plenty, I reckon, depending on your wrist action. I recall a few years ago donig crochet on a long drive while ex was driving, and realised I'd added around 1700 steps by doing so.

GrinGrinGrin

Mine counted knitting as steps too. Conversely it didn't count actual steps as steps!!
ticktox · 25/02/2021 17:46

If you have a job that requires you to sit at a desk all day - it is generally a positive to be incentivised to get up and physically move. It is good for physical and mental health and will give eyes a break from the screen..... a shared goal may help feeling connected when wfh. it is a positive suggestion.
Disabilities should be accommodated.

numberoneson · 25/02/2021 17:47

I couldn't do it, 'cause I have hamstring problems and arthritic feet - tell them you aren't physically fit enough, and besides you have committments during your lunch hour. Your manager is a cheeky fucker to assume s/he can dictate what you do in your own time. It's especially not on when it sets people against each other if they choose to do their own thing. I'd be fuming.

ChelleMum85 · 25/02/2021 17:47

@CaramelCandle

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.
You need to speak to your Union. This is illegal to enforce and putting you under uneccessary stress, bullied into pressure.
Madamum18 · 25/02/2021 17:47

Probably well meant but VERY crass management!! People should be given the choice to join in or not and those that want to put into teams. But the half day off thing should be dropped|!

RCats · 25/02/2021 17:52

Just put the step counter on the cat or the dog and then no one will know you haven't done it! Grin