work team day - reasonable? 10 February at 10:11AM in Employment, jobseeking & training 34 replies 3K views

coconutcurls

Management planned a half day team day out of the office, it involves an activity and uptional going for food before or after the activity, and travel to the venue - there is light pressure to take part however emplyoees are expected to pay for it all themselves. 

I don’t want to but answering questions as to why not is uncomfortable, I don’t think they should even be asking question tbh. 
It is not a private company so I understand why it is tricky for work to pay for this, but they shouldn’t expect people to go. 
If it was a day in the office I would spend less than £5 for travel and take my own lunch from home. If I go to this day out, I will have to spend at least £35 depending on what the food is and not even mentioning drinks afterwards (but I never go to drinks anyway so not worried about that). 


I hate making excuses but because of office politics not sure if it is acceptible to just be blunt. 

(Some people who travel from very far will spend far more and give it a lot more time). 

What do you think?

General_Grant

coconutcurls said:

Management planned a half day team day out of the office, it involves an activity and uptional going for food before or after the activity, and travel to the venue - there is light pressure to take part however emplyoees are expected to pay for it all themselves. 

I don’t want to but answering questions as to why not is uncomfortable, I don’t think they should even be asking question tbh. 
It is not a private company so I understand why it is tricky for work to pay for this, but they shouldn’t expect people to go. 
If it was a day in the office I would spend less than £5 for travel and take my own lunch from home. If I go to this day out, I will have to spend at least £35 depending on what the food is and not even mentioning drinks afterwards (but I never go to drinks anyway so not worried about that). 


I hate making excuses but because of office politics not sure if it is acceptible to just be blunt. 

(Some people who travel from very far will spend far more and give it a lot more time). 

What do you think?

I don't understand what "it is not a private company" means and why that makes it "tricky for work to pay".

Is the "activity" meant to be some kind of formal team building exercise or is this "management" finding an excuse for a day off work?  How high in the hierarchy is the management who are initiating/condoning the half-day out?

diystarter7

Hi

Not a private co??

No, it's just coaxing say, no or tell them to pay for it, unless its in your contract which I doubt

Thnaks

coconutcurls

General_Grant said:

coconutcurls said:

Management planned a half day team day out of the office, it involves an activity and uptional going for food before or after the activity, and travel to the venue - there is light pressure to take part however emplyoees are expected to pay for it all themselves. 

I don’t want to but answering questions as to why not is uncomfortable, I don’t think they should even be asking question tbh. 
It is not a private company so I understand why it is tricky for work to pay for this, but they shouldn’t expect people to go. 
If it was a day in the office I would spend less than £5 for travel and take my own lunch from home. If I go to this day out, I will have to spend at least £35 depending on what the food is and not even mentioning drinks afterwards (but I never go to drinks anyway so not worried about that). 


I hate making excuses but because of office politics not sure if it is acceptible to just be blunt. 

(Some people who travel from very far will spend far more and give it a lot more time). 

What do you think?

I don't understand what "it is not a private company" means and why that makes it "tricky for work to pay".

Is the "activity" meant to be some kind of formal team building exercise or is this "management" finding an excuse for a day off work?  How high in the hierarchy is the management who are initiating/condoning the half-day out?

I belive it is because with so many people working from home, the team would benefit for coming together in a non working environment to bond etc

The company is public sector 

comeandgo

I would just tell the truth, you don’t want to go.  Is it held on a normal work day?  Are you still getting your wage if it is?  Are you able to just go in and work?  I’m sure you can’t be the only employee not wanting to go.

comeandgo

Why can’t I edit my post, I usually can, I see you do explain it is an afternoon away from the office so I presume from a normal work day.  Just stay in office when the rest leave.

The_Unready

If you don't want to go, then say so. If money is the reason then tell 'them' that if asked.

Don't get into a situation of making up lies for the reason you're not going - that will only lead to more angst/anxiety for you.

General_Grant

coconutcurls said:

General_Grant said:

coconutcurls said:

Management planned a half day team day out of the office, it involves an activity and uptional going for food before or after the activity, and travel to the venue - there is light pressure to take part however emplyoees are expected to pay for it all themselves. 

I don’t want to but answering questions as to why not is uncomfortable, I don’t think they should even be asking question tbh. 
It is not a private company so I understand why it is tricky for work to pay for this, but they shouldn’t expect people to go. 
If it was a day in the office I would spend less than £5 for travel and take my own lunch from home. If I go to this day out, I will have to spend at least £35 depending on what the food is and not even mentioning drinks afterwards (but I never go to drinks anyway so not worried about that). 


I hate making excuses but because of office politics not sure if it is acceptible to just be blunt. 

(Some people who travel from very far will spend far more and give it a lot more time). 

What do you think?

I don't understand what "it is not a private company" means and why that makes it "tricky for work to pay".

Is the "activity" meant to be some kind of formal team building exercise or is this "management" finding an excuse for a day off work?  How high in the hierarchy is the management who are initiating/condoning the half-day out?

I belive it is because with so many people working from home, the team would benefit for coming together in a non working environment to bond etc

The company is public sector 

Being in the public sector doesn't make it "tricky" for the employer to pay.  If it is officially agreed that this is in work time, then they should pay - at least for the activity and travel (as a minimum the addiional cost compared with normal travel).  If the before and after food/drinks are optional, then avoid as you normally do.

coconutcurls

I can work from home instead and I don’t mind doing that while everybody else is at the venue

People won’t go to the office on that day as the venue is far from the office so the requirement is to be there around lunch time but with travel of course ppl will have to leave home much earlier so not a lot of work done in the morning - it is very different from leaving home early in the morning and be in the office for a full day’s work

mark_cycling00

I'd go. It will be really good to meet colleagues in person.

If you don't go you'll be worse off in terms of team dynamics. People who do go will bond, feel at ease with each other, gain mutual trust etc. 
The cost will be trivial in comparison to what you'll gain. it also sends out a negative message to your colleagues that you don't value them 

coconutcurls

General_Grant said:

coconutcurls said:

General_Grant said:

coconutcurls said:

Management planned a half day team day out of the office, it involves an activity and uptional going for food before or after the activity, and travel to the venue - there is light pressure to take part however emplyoees are expected to pay for it all themselves. 

I don’t want to but answering questions as to why not is uncomfortable, I don’t think they should even be asking question tbh. 
It is not a private company so I understand why it is tricky for work to pay for this, but they shouldn’t expect people to go. 
If it was a day in the office I would spend less than £5 for travel and take my own lunch from home. If I go to this day out, I will have to spend at least £35 depending on what the food is and not even mentioning drinks afterwards (but I never go to drinks anyway so not worried about that). 


I hate making excuses but because of office politics not sure if it is acceptible to just be blunt. 

(Some people who travel from very far will spend far more and give it a lot more time). 

What do you think?

I don't understand what "it is not a private company" means and why that makes it "tricky for work to pay".

Is the "activity" meant to be some kind of formal team building exercise or is this "management" finding an excuse for a day off work?  How high in the hierarchy is the management who are initiating/condoning the half-day out?

I belive it is because with so many people working from home, the team would benefit for coming together in a non working environment to bond etc

The company is public sector 

Being in the public sector doesn't make it "tricky" for the employer to pay.  If it is officially agreed that this is in work time, then they should pay - at least for the activity and travel (as a minimum the addiional cost compared with normal travel).  If the before and after food/drinks are optional, then avoid as you normally do.

Oh ok, thanks, glad to know but this is not how it is being arranged - the arrangement is we pay for everything (and obviously work will pile up for the following days adding to more stress) - 

I think it is a good idea for the ppl who are happy / excited to go, do the activity, get social, etc and don’t mind paying out of their pocket

I don’t want to go, I can afford but can also make better use of that money…but I would make an effort if I didn’t have to pay to make an effort!

The pressure is very light but is there. Management asking in meetings as to why ppl have not decided and confirmed yet is out of order in my opinion.