'Teambuilding' at the weekend

[whatdidyousaaay]

I work 9-5 Monday to Friday and that's all I'm contracted for. Our team has had a few issues (mostly due to a couple of people being very unpleasant and upsetting everyone!) and so the boss has decided to host a teambuilding activity. One of the unpleasant people won't be attending, having made a good excuse in advance, but the other will. The event is on a Sunday and, while it's free for staff, it's an outdoor activity (which I usually like, but this is not my cup of tea) and we will need to provide our own food. The boss doesn't need to pay for this (is just paying for transport as the activity is free) so won't lose money if I don't attend. Would you just suck it up and go or would you respectfully decline? It's very much expected that we will attend.

It's all day and is around 2 hours from where we live.

YABU - of course you should go
YANBU - no way!

Erm no this should be in work time

What about people who need childcare?

I don't think I'd go unless it's something I really wanted to do or loved spending time with the people

Well it would a no from me as my husband works weekends so I would have no childcare.

Absolutely not. I’d only go if it was scheduled Monday to Friday and I’d be clear on that with my boss.

Well, I couldn't really, as a single mum with no childcare (and no way would I be paying out what would likely be over 100 quid for a full day on a Sunday)..

And having to bring your own food too!

Nope. My boss does have enforced team building - but at least food (and booze in the evening) is freely available - and I do actually like the people I work with!

Oh fuck no unless it is compensated. I don't mind an odd "mandatory" after work event on my free time or attending a christmas do. But a full day team building 2h away from home? Nope

No way would I go.

What's the point if one of the problem people in the team isn't going?

2hrs each way travel plus the event
Are you being paid overtime? Being given an additional days leave?
Can you claim your mileage?

No, I wouldn't be going.
Weekends are precious and this sounds like team building on the cheap so I doubt it will be effective

Unpaid and two hours away on a Sunday? No hope in hell.

Absolutely not.

My time is my time

Absolutely no from me.

Your boss may find that this unites the workforce, but not in the manner intended.
Everybody who actually attends will be united in simmering resentment against the many disadvantages cited by PP's, and instead of getting to grips with the troublemaking colleagues, they have shifted themselves into the position of The Resented One.

Not in a million years.

I'd have a chat with the boss on this. Are they actually the boss, or are they a team leader - ie, how much say do they have in terms of the business paying for this and/or using work time to do it?

If they have plenty of say in this, then I have little sympathy - this is a cheap and counterproductive way to do the day. If they have little say, I'd be more sympathetic and wonder if they are (naively) doing their best with very little to work with. (Is still a crap idea though!)

They can't expect people to give up their weekend. They can't expect people to give up their time unpaid. There is little to no point in an activity to address issues between staff if at least one of the people at the centre of the problems won't be there. They need to rethink this.

Oh what a shame you have decided to sit in the garden and drink wine instead have water coming through your ceiling and will have to wait in for the plumber.

Is his goal to have you all bond over your mutual hatred of him?

Absolutely not ok on a weekend.

Team building events are totally counterproductive if staff are told to do them on a weekend.

I'd consider it for OT and a day off in lieu.

Absolutely not. If my manager wants to encourage me to bond with my team they’ll be booking something during working hours.

Slow death.

Take alcohol imo.

I'd expect double pay plus traveling expenses for attending otherwise no fucking way

No chance. I'd expect time and a half for working a Sunday (including the travelling time), and only then if I actually wanted to go. I'd also expect food & refreshments to be provided for an all-day employee event.

All day plus 4 hours of travel at weekend for no pay to spend time with work colleagues one of who is difficult - without even catering being put on.

No I wouldn't go.

I’d probably attend but I wouldn’t organise something on a weekend for my team

Are you in America?
They like free labour there!

If the boss will pay overtime then go.

Just say sorry can’t make it. You don’t have to give a reason