Colleague bringing scales to office - weighing others.

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I work in an office with around 20 other people. A colleague has started bringing in scales so that he and others can weigh themselves in front of others.

Everyone stands in a circle around the scales and watches while they take it in turns to weigh themselves.

So far I have managed to avoid being asked to weigh myself in front of the others, perhaps because I am overweight.

Management don't seem bothered and are even joining in with the weighing.

Not really sure why posting, just wanted to hear what others think.

But then the issue is, based on human nature there will always be some that disagree ect. So management cannot win either way

I think it’s weird, and I’d hope they were doing it on their break time rather than neglecting their work to stand around weighing each other. It wouldn’t overly bother me though because by if they are doing it just as something to do then it will be short lived because they’ll get bored.

Then focus on a team building strategy aiming at improving fitness or mental health. A number on the scales is not something to bring to a workplace group.

True and fair points,

Improving fitness is generally associated with weight loss.....

I’m so over the triggered brigade. Everyone’s ‘triggered’ by something.

its weird and no way would i even want to be asked to participate
id go a step further and say it would be a sign i wouldnt want to associate with them much in or outside of work - just not my kind of people all weight obsessed

Triggered wasn't a term that was used when I was under the care of the eating disorder team. Nor have I ever regarded myself as being part of an ED brigade, quite the opposite - it's a very secretive and isolating condition.
I only took time off work to attend appointments. I would return to work emotionally exhausted but determined not to let my condition impact my work.
So yeah, I would be bloody triggered by scales being rolled out in the office.

If I had conditions which impacted my ability to work in a normal working environment then that would totally be my issue to handle, either myself or with support from my employer if necessary.

They are all slim. Overweight people like me are in the minority in the office.

behave. my sister had a ED and if they started this at work she would have serious anxiety about if they were going to "jovially" encourage her to step on/ take part etc.

No, it’s not. Not at all. And people professing such ignorant ideas is exactly why any weight loss programme has no part to play in any workplace. What an awful environment to work in, even if you don’t take part.

I’m picturing all the “lol this is normal for work, it’s FUN, where do you work, the GULAG” posters as Colin Hunt from The Fast Show.

If anyone doesn’t want to be weighed they simply don’t need to stand on the scales. Nobody can force you or anyone else. I don’t see the issue. If they wanna do it, let them get on with it!

What the fuck?!?! This is one of the weirdest office practices I’ve ever heard of. I’m further freaked out by the number of people on here who are either nonplussed by the whole thing or saying they did the same in their offices!!! Where are you people working?????

This is now part of my list of reasons to continue working from home.

I can’t wait for the battery in those scales to tire. It will confuse the fuck out of them when the readings are unexpectedly sky high. Watching the panic play out is the only positive I can see in this scenario.

And the problem is?

Completely agree, or at least in a private room.

Maybe if someone suggested going all the way with a bxxb or dxxk measuring contest and an IQ test monthly..... voluntarily of course - the show and tell brigade would probably knock it on the head I reckon.

I think it’s a difficult one because if they are doing it because they want to lose weight and find the group thing supportive then I understand it but maybe they should go somewhere more private. As someone who has had an eating disorder for most of their life I agree it would be a big trigger but then there are triggers all around me and I feel it is me who has to deal with them rather than expect other people to try and second guess what may or may not be an issue.

I have heard of this before. Each person pays £20 or so and then after a certain amount of time, the person who's lost the most amount of weight wins the dosh.
You don't have to join in and weigh (I personally couldn't imagine ANYTHING worse!) but if you want to, you can.

These people don't need to lose weight. They are all slim.

They want to see how much their colleagues weigh and berate or praise them accordingly- no other reason AFAIK.

Do you actually know though? Have you asked or are you just making assumptions?

I know someone who done this - they were selling Herbalife and came in with their scales that measured body fat etc then tried to flog everyone some sort of shakes.

I don't need to ask them in order to know that they are slim and don't need to lose weight - it's visible.

The guy whose idea this was simply thought it would be good to know how much everyone weighs and to react accordingly. There is no SW/WW club involved.

I'd see if I could borrow a weighted vest as runners often do. Wear it under a jumper so it's not seen. The following week get weighed without wearing it. They won't be able to beat your weight loss. 😂 If they ask how you did it, say you gave up crisps or sugar for a week. 😉
Many men prefer curvy women. Skinnies lose their looks more quickly.