Academics use salsa to shake off stress

Stressed academics might prefer to unwind in the pub, but an initiative at Birmingham University offered them the 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 clothes and shoes") and Pilates, an exercise technique that helps you to "gain mastery of your body" as the "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 the health and safety unit, said that those attending the event were offered "a free bag with a pedometer, stress ball, walking maps and the opportunity to enter free prize draws".

A spokeswoman for the university said that more than 1,000 members of staff attended the 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 the University and College Union, wrote to the branch committee: "Great. Just what we need to reduce our stress levels: salsa dancing and multifaith meditation. Never mind the bullying, workloads, abuses of power and so on."

She added: "Apparently they ran out of the free stress balls within the first hour."

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