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Original poster

Colleague bringing scales to office - weighing others.

389 replies

SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 11:17

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 12:28

VeganMeghanDancewizMe · 23/03/2023 11:59

But why?
Your colleagues need to learn about boundaries. Is it a call centre?

Yes, it is a call centre.

OP posts:
ItsTimeToWine · 23/03/2023 12:31

I can't see anything wrong with it, they are clearly using it to keep one another motivated, which if they are overweight can only be a good thing. If you don't want to join in, don't, as long as they aren't trying to make you join in too I can't see the issue.

I had issues with eating as a teen, I dropped down to 6 stone at my worst, scales are not "triggering" that's ridiculous.

IsItThough · 23/03/2023 12:34

Fizbosshoes · 23/03/2023 12:19

I think as someone who has had an ED I would find it really stressful if it was in a open "public" area of an office, regardless of whether I was obliged/pressured to join in.
My IL used to do annual weigh ins at Christmas at the dinner table. I found them really stressful as well.

Were your inlaws their royal Family? Or is that where they got the idea.

Lovingitallnow · 23/03/2023 12:35

It's a bit like when World Cup is on and people start doing fun bets etc. It's all abbot of fun except for someone who struggles deeply with it.

Beachhutnut · 23/03/2023 12:36

It obviously has hit a nerve and makes you uncomfortable but just have a stick response ready to make yourself feel prepared if asked but I don't see the harm.

MoroccanRoseHChurch · 23/03/2023 12:37

I don’t buy that it’s “just a thing to do”. Every week? Nah, it’s not.

Bamboux · 23/03/2023 12:37

ConfusedNT · 23/03/2023 11:24

Tell me you don't understand an eating disorder without telling me you don't understand an eating disorder...

Show quote history

Yes, exactly. This is really ignorant and insulting @SunshineGeorgie

Original poster
SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 12:39

I don't want colleagues knowing my weight and I'm not interested in theirs.

OP posts:
Bamboux · 23/03/2023 12:40

ItsTimeToWine · 23/03/2023 12:31

I can't see anything wrong with it, they are clearly using it to keep one another motivated, which if they are overweight can only be a good thing. If you don't want to join in, don't, as long as they aren't trying to make you join in too I can't see the issue.

I had issues with eating as a teen, I dropped down to 6 stone at my worst, scales are not "triggering" that's ridiculous.

The fact that you briefly had an ED in your teens does not mean (evidently) that you understand anything about it.

I have been anorexic and/or bulimic on and off since I was 13 years old. Now in my 40s and still struggle with it. This would be absolutely horrendous for me, even though I am currently within the healthy BMI range and mostly avoiding relapsing into behaviours.

You really really don't understand the impact of this sort of thing on people who genuinely suffer with EDs.

Megifer · 23/03/2023 12:40

Lots of companies do things to encourage better health like walking meetings, buying fruit, only having healthy things in vending machines, offering healthy eating/weight tracking apps as a benefit....

If this is helping some people monitor their weight in a bit of a camaraderie type way, and they are ok with it (which they must be) then good on them. I used to actually enjoy a bit of the "oooooh megifers gained a pound this week" type thing, it made it a bit jokey but also made me determined to lose that pound at least at the next weigh in (which I did in spades, then piled it all back on when I left 😩)

Understand its not for everyone but it would be a shame if things like this - that do help some people - were stopped.

Is there another room they could do it in?

SealHouse · 23/03/2023 12:41

SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 12:39

I don't want colleagues knowing my weight and I'm not interested in theirs.

Then just ignore them and get on with your job.

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:42

SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 12:39

I don't want colleagues knowing my weight and I'm not interested in theirs.

Then don't join in. 😂 literally nobody is forcing you.

They probably already know you won't join in. It's no big deal

Mention it to HR if you don't like it

ChocSaltyBalls · 23/03/2023 12:44

ConfusedNT · 23/03/2023 11:26

There's nothing wrong with consenting adults doing this in a meeting room etc

There is a lot wrong with them doing this in the open office in front of other colleagues

Everything else aside its just disruptive to the work day

This

Mariposista · 23/03/2023 12:45

Totally inappropriate. You are there to work not start a slimming world group.

TomatoSandwiches · 23/03/2023 12:45

It wouldn't bother me but I would think it unprofessional and a bit odd.
I've never encountered anything like that in previous work places just a bikeability scheme donkeys ago.

Original poster
SFG112112 · 23/03/2023 12:47

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:42

Then don't join in. 😂 literally nobody is forcing you.

They probably already know you won't join in. It's no big deal

Mention it to HR if you don't like it

Show quote history

It's been mentioned to HR but nothing has been done, and the call centre management join in with being publicly weighed.

OP posts:
Thesenderofthiscard · 23/03/2023 12:48

That is absolutely bizarre.

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:50

Well then your options are

  1. head down and continue to work
  2. find a new role where you'd be happy and comfortable

Such is life I'm afraid x

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 12:50

Is this why we're always told call queues are longer than usual? Grin

gamerchick · 23/03/2023 12:51

These things are always opt in OP. That's why you haven't been asked. Every office I've been in does some form of this stuff to 'get ready for summer'. The plank squad was the best. Planks at the end of the working day before everyone went home. It's a collective spur each other on thing.

Join in or don't. It's not a big deal.

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:52

GoodChat · 23/03/2023 12:50

Is this why we're always told call queues are longer than usual? Grin

😂😂😂😂 I laughed so much at this

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 23/03/2023 12:52

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:50

Well then your options are

  1. head down and continue to work
  2. find a new role where you'd be happy and comfortable

Such is life I'm afraid x

love the pass agg little x

Worstinterviewever · 23/03/2023 12:53

Sorry @MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake. It's just a habit. I'll do better in future :/ didn't mean to upset anyone

bussteward · 23/03/2023 12:53

This sort of shite is why I WFH.

Megifer · 23/03/2023 12:55

Is there another area they can do it in? Might be the case that HR can't really do anything except recommend its stopped altogether if there isn't.

Either way someone will be unhappy - small number of people who dont like it vs those (larger number presumably) who are taking part and happy to do so and it might benefit them.

Someone could escalate it and say its triggering their MH etc. and that would probably work put a stop to it (again assuming there isn't another area they can use)

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