'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!

My idea of hell

God no.

Are you being paid to attend. If not no way attend. Your boss is a cf on this and needs to learn to manage too.

Exactly. The boss needs to be having words with the two unpleasant colleagues, not making everyone else suffer!

Never in a million years. One good thing about getting older is you can just say no to things like this without giving a proverbial. Years ago I would have gone or made up an excuse. Now I would just refuse. What a cheek they've got.

We have team “socials”. I only go if it’s a lunch on a work day near the office. But it never is now.

^ This, exactly. Who are all these managers who think these are helpful? No wonder we have a productivity problem in the UK. Your managers just need to lead and manage, not organize bullshit activities that carers cannot attend.

I hate team building with a passion so there’s more chance of me growing another head than attending this nonsense at weekend.

Im employed 35 hours mon- fri outside that it’s my time

You boss should be dealing with whoever is being unpleasant and causing the problem. A nonsensical teambuilding day doesn't address the root of the problem. Just send a polite, professional email. Dear X, I will not be attending teambuilding event on y date. If you're challenged just answer 'I have plans', if it's not contracted you are not obliged to attend.

Unless I'm getting overtime pay for the activity and travel time plus travel expenses then no I won't be attending, my cat has a piano recital

Nope I wouldn’t go. I would respond with “unfortunately I will be unable to attend as the event is outside of my working days” no further explanation necessary.

I do wish bosses would butt out of staff's personal time.

On a Sunday? No, sorry, for religious reasons (I'm not religious) I will have to regretfully decline.

No chance. If my employer wants me to attend a team building activity, they can organise it during work time. My weekends are my own time, not theirs.

Nah.

Not a fucking chance!

I'd love this and be there like a shot ... said nobody in the known universe.

Absolutely no chance.

There’s a two word answer for this. Well know phrase starts and ends in F

Absolutely this. Your boss is taking the mickey! 🌹

Support your boss in any way possible in managing the bad people out of the business. Not by attending a team building exercise.

Fuck that.

Absolutely this!!

My work place is fairly toxic at times, and I’m bloody sure none of us would spend 1 unpaid second in each others company… let alone “team building”

I cannot bear stuff like this, and from what I know, it can create even further issues amongst staff, scores are settled, etc.

Big fat NO, with associated cynical laughter!

Hahahaha. No.

It is either a paid for social where you can accept/decline.

Or it is a teambuilding event and you either get paid for the Sunday or TOIL. They should provide the catering too! You should also be able to decline if not in contract.

YBIBU (your boss is being unreasonable)

I would not go. No excuses/reasons as these can be argued with, just 'no'.