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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:
Sunrainsnow · 25/02/2021 20:52

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but currently we are only supposed to be going out once per day for exercise so they are dictating that exercise has to be walking, at a specific time and only the amount of time you can squeeze into your lunch break (either that or you break the current Covid rules).

I gave up my job in September. I am currently homeschooling my reception age child and looking after my toddler. First lockdown was hard enough trying to manage my work while looking after 2 young children. Now the added complication of homeschooling and the level of input required by a reception age child I cannot imagine how it would be possible while still working. It is ridiculous that your employer is putting extra pressure on already stressed parents Op. Plus the fact they have ignored yourself and others with disabilities. I am glad you have told them you won't be doing this.

These initiatives are great when voluntary, but they have no right to dictate the way you spend your time like this.

Sootybear · 25/02/2021 21:00

Fair enough @AccidentallyOnPurpose but I would probably talk to my line manager if I couldn't do it for whatever reason. At my place of work we get the emails about wellbeing etc which includes getting out in the fresh air. But who even reads them? At least OP's workplace appears to care for their employees albeit in a clumsy way. Maybe come up with a different idea to encourage a healthy work life balance at work.

JellyBabiesFan · 25/02/2021 21:01

Do they provide a work phone?

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 25/02/2021 21:02

@Sootybear

Fair enough *@AccidentallyOnPurpose* but I would probably talk to my line manager if I couldn't do it for whatever reason. At my place of work we get the emails about wellbeing etc which includes getting out in the fresh air. But who even reads them? At least OP's workplace appears to care for their employees albeit in a clumsy way. Maybe come up with a different idea to encourage a healthy work life balance at work.
It they really cared it would be during work time and it would be optional, with possible added incentives to ensure a high uptake. It's that simple.
Ifonlyidknownthen · 25/02/2021 21:14

I'd walk on the sot for ten minutes, or mop your floors, that gets me loads of steps very quickly

SallyB392 · 25/02/2021 21:16

Not sure what they would do with me, I don't have a phone for a start, and some days, just getting from room to room is too much

Tiredwiththeshits · 25/02/2021 21:16

I see what they’re trying to do but why spend people’s free time for them?! Your lunch is unpaid!

ManCubsMama · 25/02/2021 21:17

I think it’s a good incentive. If people weren’t so reluctant to do a 5 min walk we probably wouldn’t have the level of obesity our nation does!

To get time off is just a bonus!

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 25/02/2021 21:26

I haven't rtft but am I the only one is stupidly competitive and would have to do 10000 steps in about 3 seconds just so I could "win"?! Blush

Therarestone · 25/02/2021 21:26

God Forbid, a manager trying to motivate the team to improve their mental and physical health? What HAS the world come to.

inserts Simpsons 'won't somebody PLEASE think of the children' meme

jenkel · 25/02/2021 21:28

Well I would read into it, that I work for a caring employer that cares about my mental and physical health, and would probably do it. It’s good to get out of the office, into the fresh air and do some exercise, obviously some amendments would need to be made for people that have disabilities. I wouldn’t get upset about it, you either accept it for what it is and go with it or don’t, you have a choice,

Sameshirtdifferentday · 25/02/2021 21:28

You know what’s bad for mental health? Doing something you don’t want to. Not wanting too, is a good enough reason, in fact you don’t need a reason.

Skysblue · 25/02/2021 21:29

I think it’s needed. DH has been wfh for over a year and now barely leaves his study. Eats all 3 meals in there, starts work straight after shower, spends 30 min after work watching tv then goes to sleep. In a typical week mon-fri he won’t leave the house once. It’s so unhealthy, am quite worried about him but I can’t force him out of the house for a walk as that is apparently’nagging’ and I ‘don’t understand how much work he has’. He used to manage a 2 hr round trip commute a day but now can’t find time for a walk around the block.

I can’t make him go outside. His boss could though and I wish he would.

SunshineAvocado · 25/02/2021 21:30

Encouraging walks is fine, but enforcing them?! No way!

Expecting employees to log their steps?!

Free time is free time

I also hate those naff team building exercise thingies! Cringey.

Lumene · 25/02/2021 21:34

I would invent a knee injury.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 25/02/2021 21:34

@Therarestone

God Forbid, a manager trying to motivate the team to improve their mental and physical health? What HAS the world come to.

inserts Simpsons 'won't somebody PLEASE think of the children' meme

You know what would massively improve my mental health? Not having one more thing added to my "things I must" do list. Especially not from work,during my unpaid time
TheSmallAssassin · 25/02/2021 21:38

@jenkel - if they care so much, then why haven't they properly thought it through? Why aren't they suggesting people use work time to do it, it's "only 10 minutes" after all? And why, if they care so much about mental health would they introduce something that's causing resentment? It's just lazy thinking.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/02/2021 21:39

@ManCubsMama

I think it’s a good incentive. If people weren’t so reluctant to do a 5 min walk we probably wouldn’t have the level of obesity our nation does!

To get time off is just a bonus!

But being told you have to do it at a certain time whatever the weather isn't on. We had something at work where we were encouraged to exercise but when we wanted to and however we wanted to (I was impressed I wasn't last!). There's no way I would have gone out in the pouring rain or snow and ice we had recently for some stupid work challenge.
SignOnTheWindow · 25/02/2021 21:43

@CaramelCandle

Lunches are unpaid. People with kids have been told to take the kids with them and we've been told to go in all weathers. I think it's fine for those who want to do it and understand it could be fun for some but those who don't want to are being made to feel bad about it which kind of goes against the whole promoting mental health thing. I've got kids I'm homeschooling and have health issues as well as other responsibilities. I'm more than happy not going out at all some days. It feels like another plate to spin really and not one I want to take on.
Have you told them this? ^^

Completely agree, btw. Sounds like the sort of emotional blackmail my ex workplace would pull, which is why it's my ex workplace.

Fuck. That.

Lulu49 · 25/02/2021 21:57

1000 steps is nothing and easily achievable

DunderBlue · 25/02/2021 21:57

I know it sounds obvious, but just don't do it. They can't force you to and just be upfront with your workmates you're not gonna join in if you don't want to. Starting to say no at work really sets you off on a much better path, if you're not obligated, don't do it.

JustLyra · 25/02/2021 21:59

@jenkel

Well I would read into it, that I work for a caring employer that cares about my mental and physical health, and would probably do it. It’s good to get out of the office, into the fresh air and do some exercise, obviously some amendments would need to be made for people that have disabilities. I wouldn’t get upset about it, you either accept it for what it is and go with it or don’t, you have a choice,
Have you read the OP’s posts?

People have been out into groups regardlsss of their wishes and no account of disabilities, or circumstances, has been taken.

So how the hell does that read as a caring employer? It reads as the exact opposite to me. Someone who hasn’t given a single second thought to the actual well being of their staff before implementing a tick box exercise

donutqueen · 25/02/2021 22:01

Just a guess that she isn't expected to count the steps in her head.

Lulu49 · 25/02/2021 22:02

This reply has been deleted

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PracticingPerson · 25/02/2021 22:05

This can't be legal, tell them to fuck off you'd prefer not to take part thank you for the opportunity.

Can't believe so many people would be happy to be bossed about like this!