“Voluntary.” “No one was forced.”
Sure. You don’t participate in such events, do you think it doesn’t impact future promotions?
“..do you think it doesn’t impact future promotions?”
That’s right. It was a team building exercise. Those who walk on coals are good team members; those who don’t, aren’t. That is the motivational thought process driven by the leaders.
The people responsible for this event need to have their feet held to the fire.