Participation in Company-sponsored Activities 1

[MadMango]

I hope I posted this in the proper forum. I am curious as to when participation in company-sponsored activities cross the line and becomes brown-nosing, elitism, joining the Good 'ol Boys, etc, etc?

I have played in company volleyball teams and pool leagues in the past, and participated in 5k runs before. I never considered these actions to warrant any caution, but that was for companies with 300-1500 employees. Participation was limited to 10% at most. Now I find myself working at a company with less than 100 employees, and notice that the participants in activities seem to be the same clique. I have been invited to join a few company teams and a few other activities, and for some reason I hesitate.

Perhaps at other companies, team swag was limited to cheap silk screened shirts, or ball caps, which I didn't see a problem with. At this company regardless of the activity, high quality, company branded gear is doled out. I look at the rowing or cycling jerseys and think the quality is on par with a professional endeavor, as I sit in a thread-bare office chair that should have been burned last year.

Invites to participate are limited, though announced in an air of all-inclusiveness, and as I said, seem to only be the same people. At least, this is what I perceive it to be. I would like to join in for the "fun factor", but I do not want to have a label placed on me. Thoughts?

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[ajack1]

I really don’t see your problem here. I have always found these types of activities to be great fun and a great way to get to know others out of the professional work environment.

Surely if it was as elitist as you fear you would not have been asked to participate?

 

[ScottyUK]

If you want to join in, and will enjoy doing so, then go for it for those reasons alone. If you feel that you 'have' to take part then that is a different situation, but probably not the one you're in.

I used to participate in a big inter-company challenge a few years (and employers) ago, and there was one outfit who took it all incredibly seriously, with decent equipment in company colours and with a military level of discipline and having clearly spent a lot of time preparing. They always took the top position and the highest all-female position, and their 'B' team was strong too. We were a rag-tag bunch who did it because we enjoyed it, and because we wanted to; it was something we did for the fun of it and we were pretty good. I think we enjoyed it rather more than the guys who took it too seriously.


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[MintJulep]

If the participating clique includes upper management, ownership and golden boys then that is the clique to join.

 

[dvd]

I prefer to turn off work at the end of the day and seek fun and friends wherever I choose. I would like to see the company develop a mantra of "be happy and healthy wherever you are."

 

[zdas04]

If you enjoy the activity, a company team can be a blast. If you are doing it to suck up, you will be miserable and it may hurt your standing with the company if they perceive that you are just a brown noser with no interest in the activity. If you enjoy it it could easily get your name in the minds of people looking for someone to advance.

This goes for any "active" participant. The person that helps plan the Christmas party might get some tiny positive check mark, the person that just attends and stays to himself and doesn't do anything stupid, gets the same non-recognition as someone who didn't attend. The person who plays on the team gets a small check mark, the person who goes to the games to cheer gets a tiny check mark.

None of this will assure advancement, but it doesn't hurt to have your name in people's mind when they are deciding rasises and advancement.

David

 

[IRstuff]

Only you can really answer that question. Is the group worth joining, if only for the exercise?

Beyond that, YOU and YOUR ACTIONS dictate the others' perception and acceptance of you as a person and coworker.

If you treat all people equally, with no prejudice, then the "others" can simply accept your membership in the "group" as simply some sort of minor aberrant behavior. If, however, you hang out exclusively with the "group" then you've determined your future interactions with others.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Lion06]

You've worked for a company that had a pool league?!

I could only dream of such a wonderful day. Outside of work, pool is my thing. I actually play in semi-pro tournaments, and my state's 8-ball championship (an invitation-only tournament). I have a hard time getting co-workers to knock some balls around at a happy hour. If my company had a pool league................ I'd be all over it. FYI, my company has less than 100 employees.

If they have activities that you enjoy, then go enjoy them.

 

[thruthefence]

Just don't get the 'swoosh' tattoo on your ankle.

 

[HSNIC]

You gotta play the game! Holiday Parties and Cook Outs too. It's a good way to channel office anger as well during practice and games. One year my company had a dodgeball team.

 

[MadMango]

I guess my biggest reservations for participation is the fact that I see things can should be paid attention too (aforementioned thread-bare chairs), while funds are spent elsewhere (custom jerseys). After all, I'm using that chair for 8hrs a day, while I'll be kicking a soccer ball or other activity for 1hr a weekend.

I suppose I could always join for now and test the waters.

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[SNORGY]

I would only join if it was an activity that I enjoyed and if I could see myself liking my colleagues as more than simply colleagues outside of the workplace.

I worked at a company - once - where my manager said that I should come to the Christmas Party with my wife, so that the company could "...get a better understanding about you and the kind of woman you married...". I was stunned by how obnoxious and distasteful that sounded. Not wanting to subject myself or my wife to that kind of nonsense, my reply was, "No, thanks, but my wife and I prefer to spend Christmas with people we actually like.".

I didn't get any promotions or raises that year (I quit in the New Year anyway), and to this day, they know nothing about me or the kind of woman that I married. I'm actually good with that, because I still don't like them, either.

Like StructuralEIT, if the company I'm at now had a pool league, I'd be all over it. I don't play at quite so high a level, though. Much like my physique, I appear to play a game of progressively worsening shape. Plus, since I started playing agility some 6 years ago, a perfect "Snooker" for me now means 4 reds, 4 sevens, and the closing for a score of 59 (not 147). I do, occasionally, sign up for soccer or basketball at various Corporate Challenges when my schedule away from work permits.

I find that I like to keep my work completely separate from extracurricular activity, especially since the managers are all 50+ and tend to be more into things like golf and the classical "things you do in the hob-nob realm". My opinion is that extra-curricular activity should not have any bearing whatsoever on your promotability or your career progress. My opinion is that the minute I feel I "have to" schmooze with my superiors is the minute I have cheapened my work and my integrity in my own mind to the point where I no longer have the same level of pride in them as I ought to.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[IRstuff]

"thread-bare chairs"

But, the general public doesn't get to see those chairs, do they? But, they do see the jerseys. I think you do have a good case to present to whomever is in charge of "morale," pointing out that while jerseys present a good image to the public, new chairs, etc., would boost morale and job performance.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ctopher]

Particiaption is not mandatory, but some managers feel it is.
I had a manager at another company that was 'friends' with lots of other employees. They were not my friends.
He would have parties and 'get togethers' in and out of the office.
I would not show.
He was very mad at me every time for 'not participating'.
I will only show for for Xmas parties or a similar special occasion.

When I worked at Boe*ng, any of these type of parties were not allowed, except sometimes an Xmas lunch (not every year).

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[Ron]

Corporate sponsored teams are part of image and competition, so expect them to make a public statement with it. Who knows...that image enhancement might lead to more recognition, and thus more work for you and your company...that's a good thing. It might even push profitability to the point of buying new chairs. You should note that some companies place a high value on the desk chairs as there are often fewer claims for back pain and other "sedentary" ailments when the desk chairs are good quality. You might just ask for a new one, particularly after you join the team and establish some athletic credibility. There are many positives to being involved, but as others have noted, if you're doing it for ulterior motives, don't.

 

[patprimmer]

I agree pretty much with most above, especially David and Ron.

If the company sponsors these activities to encourage team spirit and teamwork, you should participate. I think this is most likely

If the company owner is a highly competitive sports buff you should participate only in a manner that strengths the teams, whether or not that means front row in the team or coaching or support. I think this depends on degree, but is highly unlikely to an extreme degree.

If it is a social clique, you can participate depending on who is who and what clique it gets you into. I think this is less likely.

The kit is most likely about public image for the corporation, and as such, when wearing it in public,you MUST remember your conduct represents the company in public.

I say go for it, especially in a sport where you can more than carry your weight.

Regards
Pat
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[photoengineer]

What you do on your personal time is up to you. If the company expects you to spend your time with coworkers doing teambuilding activities, they should pay you for the time. Otherwise, how you choose to spend your evenings and weekends is up to you.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[Ron]

photoengineer...that's right, it should be up to you...you can participate or not. To expect pay for such is absurd; however, it is reasonable to see if you are covered by the company's insurance for injury.

 

[TenPenny]

Me, I have a family and friends that I like to spend time with. I know many people who would rather spend time with their coworkers than their families, that's fine for them.

 

[monkeydog]

MadMango,

"thread-bare chairs"

So what did management say when you asked for a new chair?