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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:
Kellymumto2 · 25/02/2021 20:10

They can’t force you and of course it seems harsh to make it about letting your team down, but, a lot of people are better with meeting goals if they have someone else to be accountable to. Maybe that’s the angle they were going for but didn’t put it across in that way.

Covidweddingday · 25/02/2021 20:14

This sounds brilliant and would get me motivated to get out and about. Those who cannot walk due to disability should be given some other challenge to be fair but a scheme like this that gets people moving is a brilliant idea. Too much sitting is really bad for you. The hundreds of people up in arms on this thread really need to take a look at their own health if they genuinely think this isn’t a good idea.

Vepul · 25/02/2021 20:16

@Covidweddingday

This sounds brilliant and would get me motivated to get out and about. Those who cannot walk due to disability should be given some other challenge to be fair but a scheme like this that gets people moving is a brilliant idea. Too much sitting is really bad for you. The hundreds of people up in arms on this thread really need to take a look at their own health if they genuinely think this isn’t a good idea.
What is they don't want to declare their disability?

It would be a lot better if they just let people opt in to walking groups together, not forced.

hayley037 · 25/02/2021 20:20

@Sadsiblingatsea

Unbelievably intrusive and controlling but this is the world we now live in.
Exactly this. It isn't about the amount of steps or how easy it is, it is being mandated as part of the job to do in your own time. I doubt it was in the JD when the op accepted the role.

My boss is very much one of these controlling managers who believes that forced fun benefits employees and wellbeing when it actually has the opposite effect. She has decided that she wants our department to be more visible and is now mandating that I not just attend work drinks and other such things but arrange and lead them.

With the economy the way it is, I'm finding it hard to argue back.

IEat · 25/02/2021 20:20

In work time yes, during my lunch fuck off

kalokagathos · 25/02/2021 20:20

Fab initiative. Normally I hate forced fun. But this is health so great.

Oysterbabe · 25/02/2021 20:22

I'd tell them to fuck off and continue to use my lunch break to watch bargain hunt.

amitoooldforthisshit · 25/02/2021 20:24

buy a newton cradle and stick the phone to the bottom of it..or buy a cheap dumb phone off amazon and daily drive it until end of the lockdown

Angrywife · 25/02/2021 20:25

The very fact that it is "enforced" by work would be enough for me to refuse.
Whether it is "a great idea to encourage activity" or "great for mental health" etc etc is irrelevant.
They are treating you like primary school kids not employees and I'd be the loudest objector to their intentions.
Don't buy in to any of the ridiculous suggestions to wave your phone around, or put it on the washer or any other idea to kid work in to thinking you've gone along with their ideas either. Who knows what they might have lined up next.
It needs nipping in the bud. No is a complete sentence but if they wanted to argue, I'd give them both barrels

JustLyra · 25/02/2021 20:25

@kalokagathos

Fab initiative. Normally I hate forced fun. But this is health so great.
So, insisting on discriminatory activities, in your own time, are a fab thing for employers to do as long as they outwardly benefit health?

Really?

sbhydrogen · 25/02/2021 20:28

We do walking meetings, especially so if it's a 1-1. They're really good, as long as it's not too windy or wet.

Lemonsyellow · 25/02/2021 20:29

The hundreds of people up in arms on this thread really need to take a look at their own health if they genuinely think this isn’t a good idea.

I suspect many of those people are fully aware of their own health and actually genuinely know it’s a crap idea - because it is a crap idea.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 25/02/2021 20:34

@Covidweddingday

This sounds brilliant and would get me motivated to get out and about. Those who cannot walk due to disability should be given some other challenge to be fair but a scheme like this that gets people moving is a brilliant idea. Too much sitting is really bad for you. The hundreds of people up in arms on this thread really need to take a look at their own health if they genuinely think this isn’t a good idea.
I already walk in my lunch break. I still wouldn't fucking do it. If you're willing to let an employer dictate what you can do in your free time for "righteous " reasons or not that's your problem.

Getting all high and mighty about who the people who might object are is a dick move . Go walk yourself nuts. Some people can't either because disability or other commitments or won't.

Some of us value our free time,rights and wellbeing more than that.

Sootybear · 25/02/2021 20:38

I've read through some of these posts and really? Like people say it's 10 minutes of walking . You could do it in your garden if you have one. As for people with mobility issues I'm sure if you contacted your line manager, they would understand and make adjustments. Someone said they are on their feet all day, well your workplace wouldn't be doing this. If you've got children it's lunchtime so probably a good idea to get them out. Weather, well it's getting nicer and spring is round the corner. Presumably your job is office based, everyone working from home etc. Then you really do need to get out for at least 10 minutes a day. Maybe say you can do the steps anytime in the day, not just lunch hour so that everyone can fit it in. Plus it's not compulsory and yes you say it's a team effort, then why can't you share the steps and some days you do less and other days you do more. Make suggestions rather than moan to other people. That's what I would do.

Ninkanink · 25/02/2021 20:38

I’m well aware of my health. I go walking most days. That is not the issue here.

Aside from potentially being discriminatory and illegal, it’s out of order for an employer to presume any right to dictate to their employees unless it is directly related to work, during paid work hours.

You might be happy for your employer to own you outside of work or act as your parent in your own home, but I do not need a nanny state to manage my affairs nor a nanny boss to manage my unpaid lunch time.

If they are so concerned about their employees’ health and ‘team spirit’ they can designate a 15 minute paid break during which people can opt in to the walking challenge in whatever way they wish.

poppycat10 · 25/02/2021 20:43

@Lemonsyellow

The hundreds of people up in arms on this thread really need to take a look at their own health if they genuinely think this isn’t a good idea.

I suspect many of those people are fully aware of their own health and actually genuinely know it’s a crap idea - because it is a crap idea.

Hello Lemon, I've run 14 miles this week and walked a further 9. How far have you walked or run?

It is a stupid controlling idea and there's zero need for it.

EarthSight · 25/02/2021 20:43

I assume your manager is into BDSM then? To make you record it on your phone is just beyond. Don't do it. I don't think they can make you do it anyway. Just say your ankle hurt or something.

Also, if you are paid during your lunch hour, they have no right to dictate what you do during it.

poppycat10 · 25/02/2021 20:45

@peak2021

How does the manager have a clue about the locality of the area each of their team can walk in their lunch break? I can avoid people very easily, but others may not, and what if they would come into so many people that their risk of catching Covid 19 is reasonably high?
The risk of being run over by some boy racer is probably 100 times higher than catching covid outside, but that's not really the point there, the point is that it's a rubbish controlling idea in terms of insisting you do it all and then record it. I happen to have a watch that counts steps but if you don't?
catatecheese · 25/02/2021 20:46

just sit on a voice ball for a bit whilst you work. A bit of bouncing soon gets the step count up Wink

catatecheese · 25/02/2021 20:47

Bouncy yoga ball I meant!

TeaAndBiscuitsAndWine · 25/02/2021 20:47

[quote DayBath]@HeadSpin5 It's not about the steps really, it's about setting a precedent that workplaces can dictate how you spend you UNPAID lunch hour. At what point does this turn into "voluntary" training sessions for work, checking emails and taking calls? No workplace has the right to pressure people into doing work related initiatives (no matter what they are) during their uncontracted free time. It's also particularly sinister to call it voluntary but then put so much pressure on people and name and shame those who arent taking part.

So even if you think its a great idea and completely ignore the disability discrimination aspect (which is really sketchy in itself), there's still no way this is even remotely acceptable. [/quote]
Exactly!

OhioOhioOhio · 25/02/2021 20:47

I haven't read the full thread but could one of you wear everyone's watches and then take it in turns? Joking. Obviously.

Lemonsyellow · 25/02/2021 20:48

@poppycat10
You are tagging the wrong person. I agree. I said it was a crap idea. I can’t walk 100 steps.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 25/02/2021 20:49

@Sootybear

I've read through some of these posts and really? Like people say it's 10 minutes of walking . You could do it in your garden if you have one. As for people with mobility issues I'm sure if you contacted your line manager, they would understand and make adjustments. Someone said they are on their feet all day, well your workplace wouldn't be doing this. If you've got children it's lunchtime so probably a good idea to get them out. Weather, well it's getting nicer and spring is round the corner. Presumably your job is office based, everyone working from home etc. Then you really do need to get out for at least 10 minutes a day. Maybe say you can do the steps anytime in the day, not just lunch hour so that everyone can fit it in. Plus it's not compulsory and yes you say it's a team effort, then why can't you share the steps and some days you do less and other days you do more. Make suggestions rather than moan to other people. That's what I would do.
I wouldn't want suggestions. I just don't wanna fucking do it ,or worse be forced and blackmailed to do it.

OP doesn't either for many valid reasons.

Dailywalk · 25/02/2021 20:50

Sounds ok to me. I wouldn’t mind especially if If it potentially means a half day off.
Or you really don’t want to do it- Have you got kids - get them to take your phone for a walk?

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