Outside of work activities

how do you all feel about companies requiring monthly outside activities for work? for example, we have to volunteer our time after hours monthly, go to work events, dinners, etc. I love my job and company but it just feels like it's becoming a lot of added time away from my   personal life. thoughts? 
🙌 Events
💆‍♂ Mindset
🏄 Personal Life
27
User1234567
Politicker
6
User1234567
They are most likely just trying to get everyone involved and bond as a company! I think so should be mandatory but not that many when you feel that it is affecting your personal life
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Right, and I understand that! We all are really close here which is awesome. I just feel like it's becoming a lot! Does your company do stuff like this? 
Oboy77
Arsonist
1
Workspace Consultant
In my industry(commercial office furniture) it is a must for networking purposes.
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
How much do you do a month?
Oboy77
Arsonist
0
Workspace Consultant
We try and attend at least two a month, sometimes more. Depends on the month.
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
It's only happening once a month? I don't think it's a huge deal. If it's happening multiple times a month, that's a problem.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
It's a few times a month... For example, we are picking up trash on the side of the highway for a week.. Idk. maybe I'm being boujee. Lol 
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
For a WEEK? As in every day? That's a lot. Sounds like they're trying to control your lives to me.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Yeah, next week, Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday its trash day on the side of the highway. PRAY IT RAINS for me please. 
CaneWolf
Politicker
1
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
That's just ridiculous.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Do you see what I mean now? Lol last month was the same thing. It's just excessive 
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
I don't see this as acceptable in any way. I would've said something by now.
JustGonnaSendIt
Politicker
1
Burn Towns, Get Money
Many companies will push volunteering as a way to increase "Brand Goodwill" which is a reportable intangible asset on a financial report.

My company gives a few PTO days / year for volunteering causes and asks us to document the volunteer event (just one picture of you doing it is fine) so they can use it in internal communications to encourage others to participate.

It's not mandated, but it is highly encouraged.

Regarding all of the other outside of work activities... I did work for a startup that was crazy about these monthly team dinners. And then the CEO would preach until WAAAAY past the time when they said they would end the event. That got old fast and I can empathize with how you're feeling.

Maybe talk to your manager and say you're open to attending but not every event. Usually if you just show up to play nice then make a French Exit early, nobody cares. Just stop by for the high-fives and go to more than half of them, and I'm sure you're good.
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
Thank you!! I would be more willing to do all of the events if we received some kind of reward, like PTO or even a half day that week. It is mandated for us, which is something I didn't know before taking the position (It really isn't that big of a deal, but still, I wasn't aware). They just ask us when we can, not if we want to or what. It does get old and maybe I'm feeling a little burnt out on it, so thank you for sympathizing with me. Lol 
RealEstateVeep
Politicker
1
VP of Real Estate
I would be a bit annoyed, but as long as they let me take care of my dogs I wouldn't care too much.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Right, that's what I'm running into.. I have a puppy at home and I need to see him, so I am getting frustrated. Sigh. 
RealEstateVeep
Politicker
0
VP of Real Estate
I've said that I need to take care of my dogs but I'll catch up with them. Like 97% of the people I've run into have been ok with that. One time I had to ask my doorman to let my dog out so I came back with a case a beer and a Starbucks gift card since he went above any beyond.
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
1
Sales
I htink once a month is good enough but yea if its a lot then just skip out on them. Im sure that will make you look bad though lol.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Right.. Such a struggle. I just go for as short of time as I can. Lol 
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
0
Sales
Yea thats actually not a bad idea, just go for an hour or so and tell them you need to attend to your kids or whatever excuse you can come up with lol
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
I don't even have kids so I can't lie. My dog is my kid so maybe I could use that one. Lol 
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
0
Sales
or just have kids for the  sake  of it haha
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
Not worth it LOL
Thesamiam13x
Celebrated Contributor
0
Sales
Haha
Beans
Big Shot
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I actually miss this.

I'm sure a lot of it is to make up for the COVID era and to address missed social interaction from hybrid working models.

As long as it's stressed that it's entirely optional I don't see a problem.

It shouldn't reflect poorly if you can't make every function. 
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
I agree and I get that. I guess where my frustration is coming from is that I have a pup at home that I love and want to spend time with too. Work life balance is tough when I feel like I'm constantly gone
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I don't think they can "force" you to do things outside of work that you aren't compensated for?
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
I know... but then I feel the overwhelming guilt of looking bad and not being a "leader".. I am 1 of 2 sales pros in our office and then we have our recruiters, so they look up to me and I am supposed to set the tone, so I am torn 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
You're going to need to compromise and find a happy medium. You still need a life outside of work.
DrunkenArt
Politicker
1
Sales Representative
I think if it's outside of working hours, that's not something they can force you to do, unless you signed something when you were hired that says they can. Your time outside of work is yours and those events should be optional for everyone. 
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
How do I politely decline some events then? I am such a "yes" person. I find it really hard for me to say no even though thats what I want to say. 
DrunkenArt
Politicker
1
Sales Representative
Easy solution - lie and say you have a previous commitment. 
Harder solution - be honest and say you need time away from work to spend with family, friends, dogs, etc. 
willyR
Politicker
1
SDR
I would try to just blend in and enjoy the vibes.
Rupert_Pupkin
Contributor
1
Account Executive
I hate this shit. The idea is fine, but it needs to become more normal to not pressure people into going to these things. I like the people I work with, have no problem hitting a monthly happy hour or something, but for the love of god let me go play golf and relax without you.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Couldn't have said it better myself. There's more to life than work, and being with your co workers.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
They are most likely just trying to get everyone involved and bond as a company! I think so should be mandatory but not that many when you feel that it is affecting your personal life
uncorpse
Politicker
0
Sales Development
Sounds fun actually! 
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Volunteer for me then
EdTechSales
Politicker
1
Director of Sales
Allow me! 
Incognito
WR Officer
0
Master of Disaster
well that's literally the best way to prospect and network for me, so I can't imagine NOT doing it.
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
I would understand prospecting part if we ever met with different companies.... It's always just my company and my coworkers. It's not considered a networking event. If it were a networking event where I was able to meet with prospects then I would be extremely down for that. 
Incognito
WR Officer
1
Master of Disaster
Oh. Then fuck that. Are they paying you? Will these activities lead to revenue generation? No? Then it's optional. 

If they say anything, tell them its a personal matter. You don't owe them shit otherwise. 
NotInterested
Catalyst
1
Business Development Manager
No and no. And yeah I should maybe start declining some of these things. Thank you
User1234567
Politicker
0
User1234567
Walking outside 
User1234567
Politicker
0
User1234567
reading a good book to unwind after the work day 
User1234567
Politicker
0
User1234567
going for a drive and playing music can be relaxing 
KendallRoy
Politicker
0
AM
My old company not only used to require it, but also required us to contribute part of our monthly pay to each activity as well. Glad to leave that dump behind. 
NotInterested
Catalyst
0
Business Development Manager
Now thats rough
slaydie
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
hmmm nothing has ever been mandatory at my company. We used to sponsor events and throw events etc and we would get volunteers from the office to help. There was always a good chunk of people willing to spend their evenings/weekends doing so. There have been a few times were there have been lots of events and I truthfully will just sleep in the next morning and start work late if we have been go go go. It shouldn't be a chore and your work should be flexible if you want to take some other time off instead
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
There needs to be a balance. And if it s too much, you should be able to speak up
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
I have a really good response rate just sending the gif of Tom Hanks screaming WIlson without any context
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
0
ISR
I have a really good response rate just sending the gif of Tom Hanks screaming WIlson without any context
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
I'm pretty okay with this, but there has to be a limit. Just read your comment about a WEEK of trash pickup. That's excessive.
SDM
Politicker
0
Sales development manager
We do have offsite meetups for a week once in 6 months. It feels good. But if you feel it is hampering your personal life... consultant with your HR
Arzola
Valued Contributor
0
Business administration
I find it very bad that a company demands that, you already dedicate more than 8 hours of your life to it every day, you also require your space
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