I recently asked my director if I could partake in my company’s health and wellness program.

Anonymous

October 4,2023 at 8:27PM UTC

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I recently asked my director if I could partake in my company’s health and wellness program. Our policy states that all employees are encouraged to use it. It allows employees to spend upto 3 hours a week on exercise during work hours. The policy is lenient so nothing more is restricted except that we can’t extend our exercise over 1 hour per exercise event during the work week, and we must send an email to our director explaining our interest to partake.

My director encouraged me to participate in the program. I then asked my project manager who has the same director. He told me that since I already participate in a alternative work schedule (off one day every two weeks, I work 40 hrs/wk), and I work from home 95% of the time, he doesn’t want me to participate. He said that the policy was written pre-covid when employees had to go in to the office. I told him that I don’t plan to take advantage of the policy every week, or even use the max 3 hours every week. He still didn’t like it.

I was recently given an individual award for my work and I take very little vacation time. I am not a slacker. He is a project manager that feels that all my time is his time. I sit so much at work that my back hurts. I need to move around.

My project manager has changed the narrative of the policy to fit his personal feelings on the matter. It’s a good cop/bad cop situation between my director and my manager. Managers sometimes do not stand behind policy when it doesn’t benefit them. What is the best way to handle this?

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AnonymousOctober 4,2023 at 9:42PM UTC
Since it sounds like what you need (perhaps) is a few 15-30-minute breaks to stretch your legs during the day, why not come up with a weekly/monthly schedule? Be aware and respectful of already scheduled meetings and 1:1s that require your presence. Put it in a spreadsheet/calendar, easily readable form showing when you are working and when you expect to be unavailable. Ensure that the "exercise breaks" do not exceed your company's 3-hour/week limit, and send it to your boss with a copy to the director since the director is already in the loop. Let them know it isn't an hour of bike riding or weight lifting but getting outside and taking a stroll around the block (or two). This should show that you can finish your work and feel refreshed when you return from your walk.
AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 2:13AM UTC
Contact HR and ask them to explain the policy and if those on an alternative work schedule are excluded. It’s best if you have a live conversation versus putting anything in writing that can be sent to the project manager before you talk to HR. Who has higher rank, your project manager or Director?
Paris PalenciaOctober 7,2023 at 11:30AM UTC
My Director.
Pam RomeroOctober 8,2023 at 1:26PM UTC
I agree 100%. You need to contact your HR team to clarify the policy and to confirm if there have been any updates since COVID. It’s not correct for a Manager/Director to interrupt a policy in their own way. They actually should be reaching out to HR or Legal for clarification!
in the event that things have changed and you can’t use this program because you already use the other, then absolutely take the great advice that others have posted and make time to move. Take your vacation as well. Take it from me your health (physical and mental) come first.
AnonymousOctober 7,2023 at 12:26PM UTC
first of all if the policy exists and applies to everyone, it exists and applies to everyone. If the company wanted to change it to make exclusions, they could.
I’d simply remind your project manager that you spoke with your director and will be utilizing it. If there are amendments to the policy that would exclude you to please send you the updated text from HR.
wellness policies are often written in conjunction with health insurance offerings, prevention is cheaper. regardless how is your PM managing your time since you work from home, because this seems like a much larger issue.
AnonymousOctober 8,2023 at 12:22AM UTC
In fairness, it seems like you need to get your director’s permission to participate. I assume there are strings in that case.
AnonymousOctober 7,2023 at 1:23PM UTC
It sounds like the real issue here is the relationship with your project manager and how they manage you. From what you say, it seems that they have you constantly feeling on the defensive about your work, your time, your efforts, etc. Because you already sit most of your day causing challenges to your body, the added potential toxicity of this relationship and the stress it’s bringing to your work life might actually be what’s causing you unnecessary pain and discomfort.
I think the real course of action here is to first address the challenges you have with your project manager and find ways in which y’all can work together more cohesively without you feeling like you’re having to defend yourself all the time. There is no reason why you should be sitting 95% of your day if you’re working from home. No one is spying on you. You have every right to get up, take breaks, walk around, do some 10 minute stretches, 2-3 minute meditations, etc - If you are as effective and efficient at your work to win awards, which obviously you are, then you definitely can find ways to incorporate self care into your work day without sacrificing your work productivity or performance.
AnonymousOctober 7,2023 at 2:18PM UTC
If your project manager isn't your boss, then it's not even clear why you felt you needed to get his permission. If your director is your boss then that's the only opinion that matters here.
Liz MilneOctober 7,2023 at 11:09PM UTC
If it was me, I would email the director, copying in the project manager, asking for clarity. It seems the director - who has rank over the PM? - is fine with it? I assume you told the project manager that the director was okay with it? Do establish that first, maybe he (PM) doesn't realise that the policy is for all workers, remote work now being a thing notwithstanding? (It sounds as though he's interfering for no good reason though) :/
AnonymousOctober 8,2023 at 12:13PM UTC
Aside from exercising, for your health and back, you need to take your vacation time. You are not a slacker by taking your vacation time and not taking your vacation time is also detrimental to your health and well-being.
Janet ParkhurstOctober 8,2023 at 9:57PM UTC
Great advice, Anonymous. I SO agree! I just submitted my resignation because I've not been "allowed" to take any vacation time whatsoever (because it's "busy"). I'm exhausted and starting to look bad. I don't feel well, mentally, either. So, I'm quitting to preserve my health, which is vital to someone who recently survived breast cancer.
Karen TravisOctober 9,2023 at 10:29PM UTC
I applaud you for putting your mental and physical first. Stay strong and be well.
AnonymousOctober 9,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
I would let it go, and after a month or two email the director that you will be participating. You could ask the director to send an email confirming and CC the PM. To me, it seems like this is going to cause an issue. Is it worth it? Will it makes your PM upset with you? I value my job. It's not always fair, much like life. If it's going to make my life harder, then I'll work out after work or on break/lunch.
AnonymousOctober 10,2023 at 7:52PM UTC
Get a standing desk you can adjust to stand or sit. I purchased one on Amazon and my back, legs, body feels so much better.