Working out or working at?
Gill Brabner FCIPD
Our corporate role-players bring the spark that makes learning memorable. Ideal for your leadership programmes, assessment & development centres. Forum theatre workshops (online & F2F) tackling difficult conversations.
I'm working from the gym today.
Changing broadband providers at home has left us without WIFI for 5 days despite my best efforts to line all the internet ducks up in a row.
But there are compensations to this situation. I'm in the Clubroom with great coffee and great connectivity and wearing my gym kit to my place of work means no excuses - that sled can be pushed and pulled between calls and admin.
So I get the work done and the workout done.
Now being self-employed brings this level of 'flexibility' and I'm here at the gym, surrounded by lots of other gym-goers, all working away on laptops, phone and other devices. Are they all self-employed? No, they are not. I know that many of them work in corporate or public sector roles and like me they are combining 'working at' with 'working out.'
What's your perspective on this?
Should combining 'working at' and 'working out' be viewed as a positive approach to work? After all, we need to stay fit and healthy to be productive in our roles.
Or do you think 'working at' means being in a dedicated place such as the office? Does working from the gym demonstrate a lack of engagement or commitment to the business, in your view?
The government has signalled its support for flexible working. In an interview with The Times, Secretary of State for Business & Trade, Jonathan Reynolds said employers "need to judge people on outcomes and not a culture of presenteeism". (Source: BBC Sept 2024)
But the corporate world is moving in the opposite direction, with some big names either seeking to cancel or reduce working from home from January 2025: Amazon, Boots, PwC and others.
Meanwhile the CIPD issued a press release reminding employers to consider whether mandating a return to the office will solve the root problems they are trying to address.
I'm reminded that all actions have consequences - intended and unintended.
It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds in the New Year - which of course is the peak time for gyms as everyone gets going on their fitness goals.
Enabling Managers to Manage Performance Effectively
Last year we developed a forum theatre programme exploring issues around managing performance when the business is changing its hybrid or flexible working arrangements and the impact and consequences of those changes.
The scenario, set in an insurance company, explored how Jamal, went from being one of their top performers to being performance managed as his motivation and commitment waned as the business mandated a return to the office.
Reviewing the script today, I can see that the themes it explores remain imperative to employers and employees.
I know that enabling managers to manage individual and team performance is a top L&D priority for many businesses.
If this is a topic you would like to explore with your managers using an immersive, engaging and memorable approach, do get in touch.
Award Winning Speaker and Educator on Alcohol’s Impact in Life and Work | Sobriety Mentor and Guide | Best Selling Author of 'Stuck: Brain Smart Insights for Coaches' |
5 个月I love the idea of working at the gym - and also working in a different space than in my home office Gill Brabner FCIPD. I genuinely believe a change of space helps with creativity and productivity. And being in a club room in a place of fitness, well, what's not to like?!
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5 个月I did not know it was possible to ‘work’ at the gym! Is this a dedicated work space or simply people utilising the communal spaces at the gym? Regardless, what a brilliant idea!
Level 4 certified PT - I support and guide people in mid life, to reclaim their health and fitness and embrace a life of adventure and travel.
5 个月Working out has massive benefits not just for improving the body and levels of fitness but also for mental health and that sense of feeling good which will ALWAYS improve both the quantity and quality of output. IMHO Supporting employees to keep fit has to be a priority for employers, whether that's on site gyms, gym memberships or flexible working :)
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5 个月The topic of flexibility in work is proving to be challenging for both organisations and employees. There seems to be some cultural clashes at play regarding outcomes vs presenteeism and all the nuances in-between. This is where your forum theatre can play a valuable role in working out what works for the better.