Wellness rooms

everlast75 · 06-12-2017 2:08pm #1

I was speaking to a colleague today and she mentioned that in her offices, they have a designated wellness room.
I asked what was in it and she says she hasn't been yet.
(I pictured people in togas, incense and tricking stream music. Probably not likely given the Harvey Weinstein type year we have had).

Another mate works in Google and they have massage chairs etc.

So - what say you about these types of rooms?

Is it a good idea?
Would you use them?
What would be in the wellness room, if you had your say*
Would it be nice to have a place you could go to, to get 5 mins to yourself and some peace and quiet.

*except coke, hookers and blackjack

Stone Deaf 4evr · 06-12-2017 2:14pm

sounds like the perfect thing for attention seekers.

PeterParker957 · 06-12-2017 2:14pm

everlast75 wrote: »

I was speaking to a colleague today and she mentioned that in her offices, they have a designated wellness room.
I asked what was in it and she says she hasn't been yet.
(I pictured people in togas, incense and tricking stream music. Probably not likely given the Harvey Weinstein type year we have had).

Another mate works in Google and they have massage chairs etc.

So - what say you about these types of rooms?

Is it a good idea?
Would you use them?
What would be in the wellness room, if you had your say*
Would it be nice to have a place you could go to, to get 5 mins to yourself and some peace and quiet.

*except coke, hookers and blackjack

Well if you're going to set limits!!!!

Outkast_IRE · 06-12-2017 2:15pm

Massage chair and a plug in minature trickling water feature - Top notch stuff

Your Face · 06-12-2017 2:23pm

Id prefer an espresso machine.

Dr Crayfish · 06-12-2017 2:27pm

I have no idea what a wellness room is but one of the main reasons I go to my gym are for the steam room and the sauna

greencap · 06-12-2017 2:31pm

A big spliff and a lazyboy.

Kimbot · 06-12-2017 2:32pm

I would imagine its a "rest room" if you feel unwell you go for an ould lie down during work etc.

Odhinn · 06-12-2017 2:46pm

everlast75 wrote: »

I was speaking to a colleague today and she mentioned that in her offices, they have a designated wellness room.
I asked what was in it and she says she hasn't been yet.
(I pictured people in togas, incense and tricking stream music. Probably not likely given the Harvey Weinstein type year we have had).

Another mate works in Google and they have massage chairs etc.

So - what say you about these types of rooms?

Is it a good idea?
Would you use them?
What would be in the wellness room, if you had your say*
Would it be nice to have a place you could go to, to get 5 mins to yourself and some peace and quiet.

*except coke, hookers and blackjack

If it doesn't have grass, roche, a bit of codeine and gargle, I think its false advertising.

whiskeyman · 06-12-2017 2:47pm

The door to our wellness area is the front door outta there!

For Forks Sake · 06-12-2017 7:55pm

My workplace also has a wellness room... it's called the jacks.

Fr_Dougal · 06-12-2017 7:57pm

Had a wellness room in the last place I worked. HR used to use it to break the news to people that they were being made redundant.

For Forks Sake · 06-12-2017 8:01pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Had a wellness room in the last place I worked. HR used to use it to break the news to people that they were being made redundant.

diomed · 06-12-2017 8:07pm

Kettle and a sink.

The_Valeyard · 06-12-2017 8:09pm

For Forks Sake wrote: »

bucketybuck · 06-12-2017 8:10pm

Load of old **** really. Sounds like a room the bluffers will run to as the latest ploy in their quest to let everybody else do all the work.

dxhound2005 · 06-12-2017 8:11pm

“Somebody took my stapler,” he said. “It was on my desk when I went into Mr. Denney's office. Now it's gone. I've had it for nine years. My name is sellotaped to the bottom of it. I'm telling everybody that if it's not back on my desk by nine sharp on Monday morning there'll be trouble. That gives all of you the whole weekend ...

For Forks Sake · 06-12-2017 8:12pm

The_Valeyard wrote: »

Rezident · 06-12-2017 8:15pm

Of course its a good idea. Except ours was closed for a while for "cleaning" after security found a couple in there being very well indeed. I havent been since.

Aongus Von Bismarck · 06-12-2017 8:20pm

I'm a big believer in the power of mindful meditation, and incorporate a 40 minute practice into my extremely busy day. It has given me so much in return, and my ability to cope with the day-to-day demands of a stressful job at the cutting edge of European finance has improved enormously. I'd recommend it to everyone here, but especially those who seem to spend their days arguing over things they cannot change with complete strangers on the Internet. I'd imagine I've a much more demanding and intellectually stimulating job than the vast majority of people here, and I can manage to pack it into my day.

That said, I don't feel the work environment is the place to incorporate the practice, and the idea of a wellness room seems like a passing fad. I expect any prospective supplier to provide me with comfortable surroundings, IT and telephony services that are rock solid and allow me to work optimally, and a bean to cup coffee machine.

Stheno · 06-12-2017 8:23pm

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I'm a big believer in the power of mindful meditation, and incorporate a 40 minute practice into my extremely busy day. It has given me so much in return, and my ability to cope with the day-to-day demands of a stressful job at the cutting edge of European finance has improved enormously. I'd recommend it to everyone here, but especially those who seem to spend their days arguing over things they cannot change with complete strangers on the Internet. I'd imagine I've a much more demanding and intellectually stimulating job than the vast majority of people here, and I can manage to pack it into my day.

That said, I don't feel the work environment is the place to incorporate the practice, and the idea of a wellness room seems like a passing fad. I expect any prospective supplier to provide me with comfortable surroundings, IT and telephony services that are rock solid and allow me to work optimally, and a bean to cup coffee machine.

You should spend Christmas week working in Dunnes

The_Valeyard · 06-12-2017 8:25pm

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Ipso · 06-12-2017 8:27pm

Do they have Himalayan Salt lamps? Maybe a homeopathic tincture.

06-12-2017 8:29pm

I think it's a good idea as long as it's taken seriously and not abused (like people spending hours on end in there).

It's something I could have done with yesterday as I had a migraine aura, which happens to me about once every six weeks or so. For a period of twenty minutes to half an hour I had ripples and wavey patterns disrupting my vision, and was unable to focus on anything or do anything other than just sit still and wait for it to subside. A wellness room to get away from the lights and noises of the office would have come in handy.

manonboard · 06-12-2017 8:31pm

I think its a great idea.
Some people, like myself, find it really difficult to not have any quiet place the whole day. Constantly surrounded by people, noise, lights etc

I do alot of meditation and mindfulness practice also. It keeps me pretty grounded, and through out the day im a much nicer person than when i dont practice. A room like that for a bit of a 20 minute top up would really keep me feeling well.

I have autism so it would help alot to have a place to just get away from all the stimulus sometimes. Sometimes I use the toilet to hide out for a few minutes, but that feels very odd as you can imagine and often very smelly.
I use BOSE active noise cancelling head phones which block out the noise (AMAZING btw for anyone who has a child who has the condition active in that way, its like extra space in my body). Its great my job lets me keep them on. Keeps my stress down easier and makes a huge difference to my day. its about about a 15-20% improvement to my mood comparing to not wear them. Thats often enough to avoid a recursive emotional cycle from starting, which triggers food issues etc in people, which leads to other issues. So any little somewhere can be vital.

Sometimes offices can be difficult for people going through difficult times, recent arguments with their colleagues, scared of their boss, about to give a big presentation in front of lots of people, or maybe they just need some silence for whatever is going on in their head at that time. Most people would benefit from a manager having some time out every now and again.

06-12-2017 8:33pm

We have a 'silence and meditation' room.

A Muslim colleague uses it for his prayers, another for resting during lunch at eight months pregnant, another uses it for her daily devotionals, though I'm not entirely sure what that entails. It's a small room with two long padded benches and a beanbag, it's a nice spot to have if you have a headache and want to lie down while the painkillers get to work.

super_furry · 06-12-2017 8:34pm

I’d love somewhere I could just go and lie down in silence for 30 minutes or so in work. Just to clear the head and shake out your thoughts sometimes. If I could do that during my lunch break it’d be something I’d do once or twice a week.

donegaLroad · 06-12-2017 11:10pm

there is a float room in our local sports centre, a similar idea to a wellness room. You book a session and go in and float for an hour. Supposed to be great for a bad back, and general chilling out.

Harry Palmr · 06-12-2017 11:16pm

How long are you allowed to spend in the wellness room? Can you stay there for hours on the pretext of needing to get er well?

dxhound2005 · 06-12-2017 11:39pm

Rezident wrote: »

Of course its a good idea. Except ours was closed for a while for "cleaning" after security found a couple in there being very well indeed. I havent been since.

I think it defeats the purpose if security guards are checking up on the occupants of the room. That would make me feel anxious.

rainbow kirby · 07-12-2017 12:32am

We have one, it's mostly used by breastfeeding mothers when they need to pump and by Muslim staff for prayer.

Miss Demeanour · 07-12-2017 12:38am

I have one.....its called my desk and I stay there when I cant stick the inane chatter/drama of the lunch table. Twenty minutes to just switch off and its bliss. Some call it antisocial......now I can rename it my wellness station

utyh2ikcq9z76b · 07-12-2017 12:44am

All faddish stuff to look cool and sell the place to employees, companies are becoming more cultish, hey looks we have all these trinkets and a Segway scooter all we want in return is your soul

Mrs OBumble · 07-12-2017 1:01am

dxhound2005 wrote: »

I think it defeats the purpose if security guards are checking up on the occupants of the room. That would make me feel anxious.

Most larger places I've worked have a room called the sick-bay.

You typically have to check in with reception or occ-health or whoever, because they don't want anyone to die unnoticed in there.

The fact of having to check in has always put me off using it, even when ten minutes lying flat while painkillers kick in would have been blissful.

One place had a fitness room - aka a gym. It had - wait for it - gym gear in it. Mats, weights, large balls, that kind of stuff.

StupidLikeAFox · 07-12-2017 1:02am

Fernanda Broad Sunset wrote: »

All faddish stuff to look cool and sell the place to employees, companies are becoming more cultish, hey looks we have all these trinkets and a Segway scooter all we want in return is your soul

On top of this they also deposit money into your account on a regular basis. Bastards.

dxhound2005 · 07-12-2017 1:05am

There would have to be two rooms at this time of year. One with the heating turned up full for the women and one a bit cooler for the men.

07-12-2017 11:39am

rainbow kirby wrote: »

We have one, it's mostly used by breastfeeding mothers when they need to pump and by Muslim staff for prayer.

My place stopped one woman using our room to pump, because she used to go in and lock the door and when she didn't the men were afraid to go in in case they disturbed her. There is another room beside the ladies with an armchair for the purpose shared by anyone on the floor who needs it, but its not as nice.

Ours is called the Silence and Meditation room, but when I got there I was amazed nobody called it the S&M room.

I do though. ALL the time.

RayM · 07-12-2017 11:43am

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I expect any prospective supplier to provide me with comfortable surroundings, IT and telephony services that are rock solid and allow me to work optimally, and a bean to cup coffee machine.

Good coffee is very important in the workplace.

Dravokivich · 07-12-2017 11:48am

We have 3 break area's on our floor, 2 of them have reasonably comfortable seating.

What's really the use in a "wellness room"? It sounds like life coach mumbo jumbo. People should take their breaks away from their desk/work area.

Zaph · 07-12-2017 11:50am

The only problem I have with it is the name. Wellness isn’t a proper word, it’s just some new-age sh*te dreamt up by hemp-wearing hippies who think that auras and chakras are real things and that all their problems can be solved by a few different coloured crystals. Use proper English and call it a relaxation room or something, and stop legitimising this sort of nonsense. Now get back to work you slackers!

07-12-2017 11:51am

Dravokivich wrote: »

We have 3 break area's on our floor, 2 of them have reasonably comfortable seating.

What's really the use in a "wellness room"? It sounds like life coach mumbo jumbo. People should take their breaks away from their desk/work area.

It's a handy place for Muslim staff to pray, for people to lie down for 10 minutes over lunch, for anyone who needs a moment out in a low-lighted room away from the phones and noise, a pregnant member of staff has a lie down during her breaks because her legs swell if she doesn't keep them raised periodically.

I've used it a few times, I'm glad it's there.

greencap · 07-12-2017 12:20pm

Candie wrote: »

It's a handy place for Muslim staff to pray, for people to lie down for 10 minutes over lunch, for anyone who needs a moment out in a low-lighted room away from the phones and noise, a pregnant member of staff has a lie down during her breaks because her legs swell if she doesn't keep them raised periodically.

I've used it a few times, I'm glad it's there.

sounds like excuses for the time she was caught getting munched.

i have to keep my legs raised. theyre swollen.

- who me, i was just praying. im a muslim, thats why i was kneeling down you see.

fixXxer · 07-12-2017 12:27pm

I don't know about a wellness room but I often wish my work place had a Scream at the Ceiling in Frustration and Futility room, and maybe a little alcove where I could smash glass (like at the bottle bank). Would only need a couple of minutes a day.

c68zapdsm5i1ru · 07-12-2017 12:32pm

It sounds a bit generation snowflakey to me.

What's wrong with a rest room if someone needs to lie down because they're ill. And going for a quick walk around the block if you're a bit stressed and need to clear your head?

BrokenArrows · 07-12-2017 12:40pm

Ours has a "reflection room" as it's labeled

It's used to store the coffee trolley and cleaning products. ðŸ˜ŠðŸ˜‚

somesoldiers · 07-12-2017 12:47pm

I used to sit with another department and every morning about 10 someone would go around with a bell, whoever wanted got up and followed them into a room where they all sat with their heads bowed.

topper75 · 07-12-2017 2:59pm

Candie wrote: »

...A Muslim colleague uses it for his prayers, ...

rainbow kirby wrote: »

... and by Muslim staff for prayer.

Just when they got rid of the smoke break!

I might check out the good prophet's book myself and find out which way Mecca is ... after all, that could give me the equivalent of a month extra holiday per year. In the UK office I worked in there was a quite a bit of flexibility around Ramadan time too.

Interesting to see how the Irish workplace will cope with this one over the next few decades.

seachto7 · 07-12-2017 3:09pm

topper75 wrote: »

Just when they got rid of the smoke break!

I might check out the good prophet's book myself and find out which way Mecca is ... after all, that could give me the equivalent of a month extra holiday per year. In the UK office I worked in there was a quite a bit of flexibility around Ramadan time too.

Interesting to see how the Irish workplace will cope with this one over the next few decades.

They'll be called ramadáns . I'll get my coat. Or prayer mat....

rainbow kirby · 07-12-2017 3:14pm

topper75 wrote: »

Interesting to see how the Irish workplace will cope with this one over the next few decades.

My company has around 40-50 Muslim staff members (out of around 600 people working in our London office) and it really isn't an issue. Prayers are generally 10 minutes maximum and at certain times of year only one set of them is during the working day, other people spend that long on tea breaks etc. During Ramadan many of them would take a shortened "lunch" break resting/praying etc in the wellness room and then finish slightly earlier. Bottom line is the work still gets done. Other people work around their religious requirements too, we have a couple of Orthodox Jews who work a little late on Thursday so they can leave at 4pm on Friday for Shabbat.

MagicIRL · 07-12-2017 3:22pm

If a company really wanted employees to feel 'well' then they would start with providing appropriate sized desks, desk chairs and peripherals for all staff.

Flexible work hours and a casual approach to clothing. Turn down the florescent ****ing lights too, while they're at it.

But that costs more money than a small room full of bean bags.

cantdecide · 07-12-2017 4:25pm

My wellness room is the drivers door of my car. No one can hear me sobbing over the squaking and misfiring.

Will those who take our jobs in the future use wellness rooms to celebrate Robonukah??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtTL0A5nhfk

Wellness rooms

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