My Lycra-loving boss wants me to compete in a triathlon! Help!

Dear Aunty B,

My boss is a bit of a fitness fanatic – he cycles into work each day and is always off running at lunchtime. Although a Lycra-clad man, first thing in the morning, isn’t the most pleasant sight, I haven’t really minded until now. But the latest is that he has signed our workplace up for a triathlon and is putting a lot of pressure on me and everyone else to be a part of the team. He’s making me feel like I’m not a team player if I don’t sign up for a leg of the event and start training. I couldn’t think of anything worse – what can I do?

Flat-foot,

Footrot Flats

Dear Flat-foot,

I’m with you on this one. I couldn’t think of anything worse than pedalling around on a bike in my bathers with my work colleagues. Just the thought of it is revolting so I’d never subject my staff to such humiliation.

Sadly for you it seems your boss has caught the triathlon bug. But that doesn’t mean you have to sign up as well. Explain to your boss that you love being a part of the team at work, but triathlons aren’t really your thing. If you’re really under pressure, why not volunteer to go along and cheer your workmates on.  You can always cite some mysterious health reason which means you can’t actually participate.

While I’m as big an advocate of the importance of teams as the next person, it really does get my goat how all these “team building” programs assume everyone likes doing the same thing. What’s fun for some people is miserable for others.

Be Smart,

Your Aunty B