In order to make their careers hang in the balance, the NHS staff involved got their collegues to take pictures of them and post them on public websites such as Facebook. If they wanted to get suspended for a minor trivial pointless and probably not-that-fun-anyway act, then they did exactly what they set out to do.

The problem for the rest of us, is that a wave of lying down and generally making silly body shapes has swept through the world of public servants.

1. The Ribless GP

GPs are calling for their next patient whilst in a ridiculous position by which they are bent over and their head is seen between their knees – so that the patient sees the doctors ass and face. Are YOU going to trust a doctor like this with the details of your new bowl inflammation conundrum? It has been GPs who have really gone for this move, which is thought to be because they have access to surgeons with the skills to remove the ribs required to perform this unsettling manoeuvre.

2. The Bat On The Window

Inland Revenue workers have taken this little manoeuvre to their hearts – at least the ones with strong ankle muscles. This spellbindingly pointless move involves dangling from windows that have a large main window topped with a smaller rectangular window. The ‘Bat’ must support him/herself by their ankles from the smaller window, with their faces looking out the window. This only works with large windows but is fairly impressive for the casual passer-by.

3. The Copper Squat

Most troubling of all, police constables up and down the country have been spotted squatting in inappropriate positions. They have been seen squatting on walls, on desks, on car roofs and occasionally on apprehended criminals. Colleagues have taken pictures of their antics and posted them of special Facebook police groups. Apparently a lot of like-minded coppers have clicked the ‘like this’ thing.

A grave looking home secretary said of the incidents: “we take these ridiculous body shapes very seriously indeed,” whilst trying to walk on his hands to Parliament.