To dread this company charity day?

you're not really swapping 10p
A gives 10 p to B who gives to sponsored organisation
B gives 10 p to C who gives to sponsored organisation
C gives 10 p to D who gives to sponsored organisation
D gives 10 p to A who gives to sponsored organisation

So the sponsored organisation gets 40p

i have bowel issues and would HATE this! Partly because constant walking makes me need the bathroom and partly because I’d be in constant fear that there wouldn’t be a bathroom when I need one. I’d certainly not agree to this and I’m very surprised any business thinks making this compulsory is a good idea.

No company can force you to do this. I'd suggest their attempt to do so, and that it's only 4 weeks away, requires a significant financial outlay be "volunteers" on kit AND has a minimum fundraising amount pretty much destroys any illusion that this is "fun".

I'd not find it fun. I'm asthmatic. Epileptic. I have tendon issues in ankles and knees.

This, even with ample time to train (and I bet you would be doing that in your OWN time) would put me in hospital.

Tell them NO.

Not doing it. Not participating. Not helping. Not supporting. Not doing anything but the job im paid to do.

This is absolute nonsense and they cannot enforce it or discipline anyone who says no.

tbh I'm gobby and i don't care what people at work think of me as a person (I'm pretty cool though) so i wouldn't have any problems saying "haha no i am not doing that" simply because i don't want to.

I realise that others are less able to object and for those (including OP?) I'd just go back to management and point out the problems this will cause for anyone with a hidden disability and leave it at that.

I find it extremely hard to believe that any employer would compel their employees to take part in something like this.

Suggest it for people who want to, yes. Set up a relay so people can do a few miles each, yes. Suggest that people do a shorter challenge if one is available, yes, but requiring people to walk 28 miles in a day against their will, no-one, no-one is that stupid.

It sounds like a great day out for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness as it's quite achievable - plenty of time, lots of breaks, not that hilly. And anyone who's used to walking will have all the kit anyway. What do you need, the right shoes, socks, rucksack, clothing, water bottle, supply of plasters etc? It's hardly the north face of the Eiger.

Nothing like this should EVER be compulsory at work. It's unreasonable of any employer to demand that a) employees raise money for any charity, b) employees take part in physical activities they might struggle with for whatever reason or c) employees have to take part in activities that require them to spend money on 'kit'.

Absolutely fine for a company to suggest that people might want to sign up, and to agree to release people from their usual duties for the day to do it. But not fine for it to be compulsory. It's nothing to do with your work, it's not inclusive of people who can't physically manage that much walking (and that is A LOT of walking), and it encroaches into your spare time and your bank balance if you're expected to source 'kit' and spend time badgering people to sponsor you.

This reminds me a bit of a time in a previous job when our head of department suddenly announced that he wanted us to climb Scafell Pike as a team-building event. When it was pointed out to him that Scafell Pike is not a suitable hike for people who have never hiked before (ie most of our team) he said he'd already thought of that so was planning to arrange a series of training hikes at weekends so we could build up to it. We told him in no uncertain terms that this would not be happening.

I'm genuinely amazed at the levels of delusion these people must operate at!

Weekend training hikes indeed!

Yes, this.

I'm certain they have not properly read the details because only regular walkers who have trained would want to take this on.

I have run marathons in the past and there is no way I would sign up to do this. Are they mad?

Not in your job description, can be refused.

You should have politely declined to take part, offered to do something else instead on the day.

Lovely invitation for some to be in the sun too long and risk skin cancer in older age.

No way, and I say this as an experienced hiker. There are not many people I know who could walk such distances at a month’s notice.

The risk of injury is high
The outlay on equipment is ridiculous
The fundraising expectations are way out of line
It is not remotely inclusive of the many, many groups of people who would not able able to do this

Time everyone put their foot down. They can’t make you do it.

'No, I won't be doing this physical challenge nor will I be trying to demand money from people to raise £300, if you have a problem with me not accepting this form of bullying I will happily take it up with HR' Have all your colleagues repeat the same.

Compulsory days should not include anything that's a risk or demanding money from employees.

The kit list looks like it's been put together by someone who's found a 'hiking in the Lake District' kit list and not made any changes to account for the fact that the walk is in the middle of a relatively flat city.

UKDayOnlyKITLIST.pdf (charitychallenge.com)

Who on earth goes for an, admittedly long, walk through London's streets and parks in hiking boots?

But then, no map and compass, so I expect people are going to be using their phones and existing knowledge to find their way, but maybe they're going to need a battery pack to ensure that it lasts the duration of the challenge.

I work for a charity, managing relationships with large companies.

Surely they are not actually expecting everyone to do it?! For many reasons cost , fitness levels or you just don't want to. I wouldn't book a day off, I would just say I am not doing it. Honestly I would cancel the days AL and say you just don't fancy doing it.

Just pour some orange juice onto a lft a couple of days beforehand. Sorted.

And I'm speaking as someone who would happily walk that distance.

The kit list is a good indicator of whether or not you should do the challenge. If you don't already have all of it, then you probably shouldn't do it.

Although I still think the suggested clothing and footwear is ridiculous for going for a walk in London at any time of year, but certainly between April and November that the challenge takes place.

Agree with pp’s that you should not feel you have to take A/L, just refuse to be a part of it and go to work as usual.
However, I did have a wry smile when I read all the posts about training and equipment needed. As a young teenager in the late 1960’s the ‘sponsored walk’ thing was just taking off as a charity fundraiser. My school friend and I signed up for a 29 mile walk, very similar to the London walk described, we were not regular hikers/girl guides or similar and not really sporty apart from PE at school and mostly walking to and from school (a mile or two max).
We set off with the rest of the crowd at 10am with no special shoes or clothing I was wearing a summer frock, tights and sandals, my friend in shorts and Scholl sandals. We walked to whole 29 miles in about 9 hours. We both had somewhat blistered feet, but nothing else wrong with us that a good nights sleep couldn’t fix. Just checked how much my £13/9/- sponsorship is worth today and it’s roughly £300 😂 .

Agree with the people saying be outwardly enthusiastic, don’t worry about kit or sponsorship, and on the day just do a couple of ks and then say you’re tired/injured and chill out for the rest. They can’t sack you for being crap at walking, assuming you aren’t a postie.

Anyone who does this should take a week off sick to recover. It will never be suggested again. Totally ridiculous.

That kit list is utterly bonkers. Waterproof overtrousers and two hats for walking the Royal Parks???

I’d be raising it with whoever is responsible for diversity and inclusion. As I sadly have had to do a number of times in my career. This is a lot for able-bodies folk, let alone those with physical disabilities, visible or not.

This thread is like a continuation of yesterday’s’Bring your whole self to work’. It seems to be another example of employers feeling that they can police their employees ‘ actions , attitudes and opinions way beyond the terms and conditions of their employment as just doing the job they are paid for to a satisfactory level.

It’s all very well saying just don’t do it, or complain to HR, but people are under pressure when it comes to earning their livelihood. These intrusions are frankly frightening.

I hope your employer comes to their senses, OP.

Don't take a day's leave. Just message your manager that you will not be taking part. Go to work as normal on that day. You cannot be compelled to play along with this nonsense.

Lots of people don't get sick pay