To dread this company charity day?

Actually I think with the HASAWA you can refuse to do anything you believe will be damaging to your health. I'd have to look it up to be sure.

No I agree. I would say no. Mostly because I'm not buying kit out of my own money.

That's not company charity that's then enforcing their tax break on you. Ask them to contribute to the kit or say no.

You say it's mandatory... they can't fire you for not shelling out on something they're demanding.

So don't. Just say no. It's as much of a message to take AL as to just say no thanks - that's not my job.

Well they wouldn't let me do it as I wouldn't be bringing the compulsory waterproof over trousers or hiking boots for a walk through London.

I would be sending management an email stating that as this is not included in your contract and unless they will be purchasing all the necessary equipment for you you will be working in the office as per normal.. they sound like utter arses

A hard NO from me. The reasons you could give to HR/Manager regarding your concerns for attendance (non attendance) at the event:

• Health concerns - The London Royal Parks Challenge is graded as tough. You should begin training 4-6 months prior to the challenge (this should have been organised by your employer in advance).
• Health & Safety - It is the employers responsibility to provide you with any personal protective and safety equipment free of charge, and given they are trying to make it mandatory this expense remains with them.
• Risk Assessment - Speak to the HR department with regard to the risk assessment that has been conducted for this event, and ascertain that if you were to sustain any injuries, making you unable to attend work (feet, ankles, heart attack, sun stroke etc.) due to this 'Mandatory' work that you would receive full pay during your absence as it was a direct result of their decision making.
• The £300 fundraising is for the £45 non-refundable registration fee (already paid by the company hence why they are making it mandatory to attend?) + the pledge to raise a minimum of £250 sponsorship. (Charlie Waller Trust Walk).
• Your company is looking for free PR, paid by you the employee in equipment and fundraising, to promote them.

Basically ask a lot of difficult questions with regard to the event and focus on the negatives that could result in forcing people of varying fitness levels to comply especially if they don't carry out a risk assessment, the information on the website should be provided as it clearly states 4-6 months training and it is 'tough'. Make it about compensation and pay should some unfortunate event occur and the possibility of a civil claim. The point is to make them wonder what it 'might' cost THEM. You have after all only been given minimal information and it would be natural for you to enquire.

Yanbu at all.
I like walking but this is a strong no.
How on earth can they enforce this?
Wrong on all levels.
Yet again, another totally stupid idea thought up by management.
Is this another team building event?
Why not just give everyone the day off? Or just offer this for those who want it but without pressure.

Sorry, forgot to mention:

It might also be worth mentioning that you intend to do a JustGiving fundraiser online to collect payments, that your friends and family can contribute to directly, as an easier way to collect in promised monies. The funds go directly to the Charity, bypassing cash being given to your Company/Employer. Might also be worth mentioning this to other employees as a way to fundraise via Social media. If they/you do collect physical cash then it can easily be donated via the same link to boost it. If the Company is relying on the fundraising money to cover the initial Registration Fees then they could end up out of pocket......might prevent them from doing the same again for other events.

I cannot believe the company has done this. What if you don't do the fundraising? They can't penalise you surely? I'd be taking the day off sick though I think. It sounds ridiculous - I hope they rethink!

At my work many people did the Kilt walk, there was a full26 miles, shorter 13 miles and a wee wander that was much shorter. It was completely voluntary and sponsorship was a team effort. So you sponsored the whole team rather than all the participants. The hardcore group who did 26 miles didn’t take a full barrel of shit or kit with them. They dressed appropriately for Scotland, wore decent walking shoes/boots etc and did it in about 8-9 hours. The majority did the half kilt.

No charity event is mandatory. Even those working for the bloody charity itself cannot be forced to go on a 4k walk, never mind a 40k walk. That's ridiculous.

You're not in jail on hard labour. Your job is your job, anything else beyond essential training is optional. I'd like to see them try to force it. H & S will roast their arses.

Alllll of this. I’d be absolutely refusing based on all of the above reasons.

Exactly where in your contract do it say you have to take part? And even if there is some crap about attending events you can argue that this request is completely unreasonable.

Don’t waste annual leave just refuse to attend. Stick sponsorship form up in the office & that can be your attempt at raising money bit so they can’t say you made no attempt.

Have you or anyone in your office got any health conditions that could be used to raise that this event is not considerate of poor health etc. This sound like an event for the ultra fit not the average person who wasn’t expecting to have to take part.

I would say I’ll come and support but I’m not taking part.

OP? Not bothering to reply?

Ive done one of these. It’s very challenging and in fact cut it short so I ended up at the finish but didn’t do the whole route.

Yanbu. My corporate firm is always trying to force this CSR stuff on us.

I signed à contract to work in a law firm, not climb mountains 🤣

YANBU

I wouldn't be able to undertake that sort of activity due to health problems, and while technically speaking it's a walk in the park, metaphorically it isn't.

I'm going to disagree slightly with people who have said you shouldn't book annual leave.

I have sometimes been the person left behind minding the shop while others do a "fun" activity, and it's not fun. The company's customers expect the same level of service regardless of however many people are in work on any day. Chances are that even the idiot who came up with the plan did realise that some won't be able to participate, and is relying on them to hold the fort. Good on you for foiling that plan!

Enjoy your time off. And don't feel guilty.

Obviously organized by some fitness freak who has no kids and who has sod all else to do at a weekend..
I'd be bogging them right off..!!