3 ms·

I'm deeply uncomfortable with this as well. I've struggled with my mental health and had days where I could barely drag myself into the office. If this were imp

I'm deeply uncomfortable with this as well. I've struggled with my mental health and had days where I could barely drag myself into the office. If this were implemented at my company, I would have spent the better part of a month beginning these meetings with 'well, I'm experiencing near-constant despair.' Afraid of guarding? My mental state is my own business. I may choose to share it with my manager or my coworkers (in fact, I have), but to have it become a required part of a meeting? No. No. No. Especially on a remote team where I just don't know the other people. This is not the right way to build rapport. It's telling that so many of the comments on this post at the time of my writing are negative. Please heed them. And please keep in mind that as the team lead, or manager, or whatever your role is, there is a power imbalance. People will not have an easy time saying no to this activity, even if they want to.

mumblemumble 7y ago
I think that this angle can't be stressed enough. People's emotional state is part of their health, and, like any other health-related issue, it is never appropriate for one's employer to ask about it. I would honestly feel more comfortable with my employer taking everyone's vitals at the start of a meeting, because physical health is so much less stigmatized than mental health.
altras 7y ago
Yup, I've read every semicolon in this thread, very thoughtful comments and I'm deeply grateful for people sharing their experiences. I couldn't ask for more :pray: It struck me that you don't know your remote peers. In what setting are you working? I suppose you have a physical office with colleagues and a remote extension of teams with whom you occasionally collaborate? about my role: I'm part of a digital cooperative and we too have power imbalances but not that direct as in a hierarchy. Our power dynamics stem from seniority but we all volunteered 2-3 years ago to do something about our team mental state and we're continuing to do it. Now it's part of the culture and this, of course, will alienate newcomers who dislike deeper harmonization but at the same time, it's strengthening the core team. Like everything, it has pros and cons :D

mumblemumble 7y ago

I think that this angle can't be stressed enough. People's emotional state is part of their health, and, like any other health-related issue, it is never appropriate for one's employer to ask about it. I would honestly feel more comfortable with my employer taking everyone's vitals at the start of a meeting, because physical health is so much less stigmatized than mental health.

altras 7y ago

Yup, I've read every semicolon in this thread, very thoughtful comments and I'm deeply grateful for people sharing their experiences. I couldn't ask for more :pray: It struck me that you don't know your remote peers. In what setting are you working? I suppose you have a physical office with colleagues and a remote extension of teams with whom you occasionally collaborate? about my role: I'm part of a digital cooperative and we too have power imbalances but not that direct as in a hierarchy. Our power dynamics stem from seniority but we all volunteered 2-3 years ago to do something about our team mental state and we're continuing to do it. Now it's part of the culture and this, of course, will alienate newcomers who dislike deeper harmonization but at the same time, it's strengthening the core team. Like everything, it has pros and cons :D