To ask if you sneak off to the gym during work hours?

[inneedofaglowup]

I know there's a lot of "that's cheeky and taking the piss" bit how many of you actually do it when working from home and is it really that bad if you do do it??

Of course there are, all of us in customer services have set hours, we have to be there to answer the phone between 9-5.

I have set working hours as well.

Notice I didn't mention office staff - you can't stand around chatting if you have a ward full of sick patients, or 30 children in your care.

I wish.

I’ll take a 15 min walk but I’d not go to the gym.

I understand why you feel this way, but many people specifically decided they wanted a more flexible job so got the qualifications, did the training and applied to those kinds of jobs. If you really feel so jealous of those people that it's making you bitter and angry, why don't you do what many others have done and seek flexible jobs if you'd like to have the option to go to the gym during the traditional work day?

It’s outcome based roles v presenteeism. I probably could get away from my desk to get to the gym as I’m trusted to manage my own workload but then I’d struggle to demonstrate my outcomes. If anyone can deliver their outcomes and also get to the gym - what does it matter, benefit of being able to work smarter right? I’m in awe of the software developers able to hold two positions remotely for example!

I go during lunch while wfh. These thread are pretty constant now aren’t they, trying to make those that wfh admit how they are all taking the piss.

Not at all. I’d be logging the time if I did, but I’m way too busy

Perfectly put.

I will honestly never, ever understand why people who don’t wfh get so irate about those who do, I’ve wfh since long before Covid and no one gave a shit then but suddenly I’m taking the piss and people who don’t wfh somehow magically work more than me?

What on earth does the T&C’s of my job have to do with anyone else?

I wouldn't abscond as that's theft of hours/fraud but I do work within the very flexible remit of my WFH job around business need and will do the school run then grocery shop, bit of housework, run at lunch time and as a result work later into the evening but I don't mind doing that if all the chores are done, DD is old enough to look after herself without interrupting me and I get some daylight which is important in the winter. I'm a career changer into my industry and enjoy the benefits I didn't have in my previous role.

I go to 3-4 classes a week in my lunch hour. I don't sneak off. I'm entitled to a lunch break and I choose to take it. I'm lucky my gym in a 5 minute walk from home and the class is 25-30 mins. I don't see the problem. It's healthy to step away from your desk. My boss is fully aware of it.

Yes I do and do it in the office too as we have an on-site gym which is encouraged to be used (it’s a lot quieter than pre covid so it’s becoming a use it or lose it scenario)

My role is flexible so I make my own hours and as long as deadlines are met my boss couldn’t care less, probably because he is doing the same

The only thing that is an unwritten rule is if someone needs to meet with you at the time you have blocked out for the gym then they take priority

My PT is at the work gym so it forces me to go into the office which is good for a balance as 5 days at home would kill me

No. I wfh 3 days a week. My boss is really flexible and I do more than my core hours but wldnt dare. When in the office I get in early. If I need to pop out to the shop when wfh I will do it in my lunch hour which most days I don't have one anyway. I can have my lunch when I want though so sometimes might go out at 11am and have an early lunch and tell my boss off line for a bit. The other week it was my friend's bday and she went to lunch local and I asked my boss if could have 90 mins lunch and he was fine. He knows I put in more hours and i am flexible and wouldnt go out if a meeting or urgent work. Totally honest.

I don’t need to sneak off. I just tell my team I’ll by OOO for a couple of hours and will be back online at whatever time. Given I work with teams based anywhere from Australia to LA, flexibility in working hours (as opposed to hours spent working) is totally normal in my job and has been since pre pandemic.

I also frequently have to do work calls at absolutely ungodly hours so it cuts both ways. I don’t get paid overtime but that’s fine - I’m senior enough to understand that’s it’s just part of the job. And my employer is sensible enough to know that if I want to do a gym class from 2pm to 3pm that’s fine. They’ll find it very hard to replace my skills if I left for another employer.

I go but often start work at 7am and so have a bit of time owned

Yes where I can, I always work late or reply to emails before my work hours, so not really taking the piss to much!

I do but I'll start work earlier or finish later. I go to the gym at lunchtimes, not often, maybe a couple of times a month when I can't get there after work. My flexible wfh job is only about 50% workload, my work is up to date. My boss is happy. No problem.

Before work gym doesn't work for me due to rush hour traffic on my way home afterwards.

Not in the least bit jealous or angry about those whose jobs means they need to deliberately take breaks and go to the gym or the shops as they go from lying in bed to sat in a chair glued to the screen (work or otherwise) all day.
I enjoy my on site job I actually get paid for doing something I want to do (it was also great during lockdown - empty streets etc) I just don't think it it fair that some people can get away with working when they please while others have to keep to time

@Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot But that’s just different jobs, isn’t it? I frequently get calls to be on a plane the next morning and just get on with it. The flip side of that is I have times when I can build more flex into my life.

In that case, thank you for everything that you do!!

There is a gym literally 30 seconds from my desk at work. I'm not a member but if I was I could go for a full.hour session and feel no guilt.

If I work from home I could also take the hour for a run / go to leave gym for shorter session / watch an hour of TV

But i don't and feel guilty doing so. My own issue.

However I wouldn't mind if one of my team said "i went to the gym / for a run, walk etc" as long as it wasn't taking the piss and away for an excessive time and was consistently doing this and the work was completed.

Work sometimes drains your time (work late work weekend s, candel holidays, don't see your children as much .. feel tired stressed etc) and I'm all for taking back some for yourself if you can.

That's not to be mistaken for being lazy and taking the piss ... its finding the fair balance

I’m in meetings generally 7 1/2 hours a day. So that’s a big No from me

I used to take a long lunch and go to the gym when I worked in the office. I wouldn't do it while WFH though, as I feel like I need to be available constantly.

Christ no! I can just about get away with atrip upstairs to the toilet or putting the kettle on (which is odd because when I'm in the office I spend hours hanging around in other people's offices gossiping and don't feel bad about it).