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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:
pastagirl · 26/02/2021 18:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiredmum2468 · 26/02/2021 22:12

My sisters in laws boss tried this and she fixed her pedometer to her bonkers mad spaniel 🐶 😂

HenGab4 · 26/02/2021 22:18

Whilst it’s a good idea for us all to keep fit. No one should accept being told. We don’t live in a dictatorship. Although if we accept all the nonsense coming at us we are heading that way. Next to come is people will be told to use pronouns when introducing yourself!

FightingFiles · 26/02/2021 22:23

"No, I'm sorry, I can't do that"

That should do it.

Lemonsyellow · 26/02/2021 22:36

@FightingFiles

"No, I'm sorry, I can't do that"

That should do it.

I’d hone it further, without the “I’m sorry” and maybe change “can’t” to “won’t” or “don’t want to”.
Xenia · 26/02/2021 22:53

I would just keep to "No thanks".

Velociraptor1 · 27/02/2021 07:49

I am so annoyed at this!! To all the people saying 1000 steps is nothing - totally irrelevant.
This is just so wrong, to make you out to be the cause of nobody getting a half day when to ask this is out of order.
To suggest people take wtheir kids with them is laughable at best. It can take a lunch hour to get an unwilling kid to get ready and move. Also in all weathers? Unreasonable. Unsafe for some people.
Your lunchbreak is your own and they have no right to dictate what they think you should do. I worked for 2 companies like that... forced 'fun' and obligatory Christmas parties/nights out. Hated them. We had our own work nights out but the company ones I started being 'sick' for.
If there are any others who feel the same as you, stick to your guns. You shouldn't have to, but lay out your reasons why you can't as your lunchtime is already full, this is so your colleagues know too. They are causing you a lot of stress over this, and pitting you against your colleagues, not their best way to improve morale.

Cloudbeeb · 27/02/2021 07:50

Just say no. Getting unions etc involved will make it so much worse.

PersimmonTree · 27/02/2021 07:57

BigBrother behaviour by your work, please stand up to them.

Or tell them you're doing it by proxy, and screenshot the dog running circles round the garden or the hamster on its wheel.

Personally I'd just laugh at them and get on with my work.

ElizaLaLa · 27/02/2021 08:27

It's a 5-10 minute walk and the op doesn't have any disabilities Confused

Vepul · 27/02/2021 08:43

@ElizaLaLa

It's a 5-10 minute walk and the op doesn't have any disabilities Confused
She does

I do actually have a hidden disability. Some days I could manage the steps but others I couldn't but I don't want to have to explain that to the organiser

Original poster
CaramelCandle · 27/02/2021 09:06

I've told my team I'm not participating and have asked the manager to remove me from the team (waiting to hear if I'll actually be removed though). Didn't give a reason as don't think it's their business really but they know enough about me to know I'd struggle regardless. Anyway there's been a bereavement in DH's family since I last posted so any energy I have will be focused on supporting him through it. Work will just have to accept it and if it causes resentment in the team then so be it.

OP posts:
AccidentallyOnPurpose · 27/02/2021 10:47

@ElizaLaLa

It's a 5-10 minute walk and the op doesn't have any disabilities Confused
  1. She does
  2. The principle of it is wrong even ignoring the discrimination angle(towards people with disabilities ,people that are carers,people that are single parents etc)It's OP's free,unpaid time. They don't have any right over it or demand that she gives it up. Even for 5-10 minutes.
Odile13 · 27/02/2021 10:51

I think you are well within your rights to opt out and not give a reason. It’s none of your employer’s business how you want to spend your lunch breaks and when / if you want to go walking. And I say that as someone who loves walking, but wants to do in on my own terms, when it’s convenient for me.

Abraxan · 27/02/2021 11:10

@ElizaLaLa

It's a 5-10 minute walk and the op doesn't have any disabilities Confused
Yes she does. Even is she doesn't - it's her unpaid lunch hour. She may have other things she needs to do in her unpaid lunch hour, or simply things she wants to do instead.

And with a management who have refused to accept disability as a factor everyone in the firm, should be making a stand and saying no.

If people want to walk in their lunch hour, fine. They don't need management to tell them to do it.

acatcalledjohn · 27/02/2021 11:11

@CaramelCandle

I've told my team I'm not participating and have asked the manager to remove me from the team (waiting to hear if I'll actually be removed though). Didn't give a reason as don't think it's their business really but they know enough about me to know I'd struggle regardless. Anyway there's been a bereavement in DH's family since I last posted so any energy I have will be focused on supporting him through it. Work will just have to accept it and if it causes resentment in the team then so be it.

Well done OP.

Sorry for your DH's loss. Thanks

Morred · 27/02/2021 11:50

The other option is to play all nicey-nicey and say unfortunately you have other commitments during your lunch hour but you’d hate to let the team down so you’ll schedule the walk time elsewhere in the day. Then block out your calendar every single day with “office step challenge” for half an hour. You get an extra break and you’re still a team player. (Just screenshot your phone when you get to 1000 - i usually manage that just pottering back and forth for cups of tea during the day.)

CupOfTeaAlonePlease · 27/02/2021 11:58

Can't believe how lazy people are.

They're promoting health, trying to make it fun.

Unless you have a disability I suggest you go for a little walk and stop whinging about it.

Honestly. Some people rope down mines for a living and you're WFH and sulking about having to go for a short walk.

Ninkanink · 27/02/2021 12:03

@CupOfTeaAlonePlease

Can't believe how lazy people are.

They're promoting health, trying to make it fun.

Unless you have a disability I suggest you go for a little walk and stop whinging about it.

Honestly. Some people rope down mines for a living and you're WFH and sulking about having to go for a short walk.

Really not the point. But it seems there are a whole lot of people who just can’t comprehend the actual point.

Perhaps those people need to exercise their brains a bit — Intellectual laziness and lack of critical thinking muscle is a big problem too.

teachermummy1 · 27/02/2021 12:04

I think that sounds like an amazing idea! 1000 steps is nothing

LApprentiSorcier · 27/02/2021 12:05

@CupOfTeaAlonePlease

Can't believe how lazy people are.

They're promoting health, trying to make it fun.

Unless you have a disability I suggest you go for a little walk and stop whinging about it.

Honestly. Some people rope down mines for a living and you're WFH and sulking about having to go for a short walk.

You're missing the point.

The walk is taking place in the lunch hour. It's not during work time. Do you think people who work down mines would be any more receptive to being told what to do in their lunch hour?

And people should be able to choose when they do their exercise. Just because you don't want to walk at lunch time, that doesn't mean you take no exercise at other times.

EmpressWitchDoesntBurn · 27/02/2021 12:10

Funny how many people think the OP’s being lazy not to want to do the walk, but are too lazy themselves to RTFT and see the bit about her having a hidden disability.

NeedToGetOuttaHere · 27/02/2021 12:12

Well done OP

Ninkanink · 27/02/2021 12:14

@EmpressWitchDoesntBurn

Funny how many people think the OP’s being lazy not to want to do the walk, but are too lazy themselves to RTFT and see the bit about her having a hidden disability.
Yes, or too lazy to consider the implications of inviting employers to dictate how their unpaid, non work-related time should be spent.
Lemonsyellow · 27/02/2021 12:16

@teachermummy1

I think that sounds like an amazing idea! 1000 steps is nothing
If you genuinely think it’s an amazing idea, you must be hard of thinking.

Well done, OP, for refusing. Sorry about your bereavement.