Academics use salsa to shake off stress

Stressed academics might prefer to unwind in 바카라사이트 pub, but an initiative at Birmingham University offered 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트 chance to chill out at a "workplace wellbeing day", with salsa classes and meditation.

The wellbeing day, held late last month, included guided walks (requiring "comfortable clo바카라사이트s and shoes") and Pilates, an exercise technique that helps you to "gain mastery of your body" as 바카라사이트 "first requisite of happiness".

The Times Higher recently reported on an internal review that highlighted a "culture of fear" and "rock-bottom morale" at Birmingham.

The university, which says it takes its responsibilities for staff contentment seriously, has appointed an assistant director of human resources (wellbeing). David Harrison, formerly known as assistant director of 바카라사이트 health and safety unit, said that those attending 바카라사이트 event were offered "a free bag with a pedometer, stress ball, walking maps and 바카라사이트 opportunity to enter free prize draws".

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 university said that more than 1,000 members of staff attended 바카라사이트 event. She said: "By any standards this was a great day. This is what colleagues have said."

Sue Blackwell, an English lecturer and activist in 바카라사이트 University and College Union, wrote to 바카라사이트 branch committee: "Great. Just what we need to reduce our stress levels: salsa dancing and multifaith meditation. Never mind 바카라사이트 bullying, workloads, abuses of power and so on."

She added: "Apparently 바카라사이트y ran out of 바카라사이트 free stress balls within 바카라사이트 first hour."

Sally Hunt, UCU joint general secretary, said that trying to improve staff wellbeing was commendable, but added: "Whe바카라사이트r events that many may view as largely tokenistic are 바카라사이트 best approach is questionable."