Coworkers can make or break a job experience. It’s always helpful to be able to connect with coworkers outside of a work environment. It’s a plus when employees get along with each other and have something in common. It’s not only more pleasant for everyone in the workplace, but studies have shown that off-site retreats have a meaningful impact on the productivity of employees and how well they get along.
If you want to plan a company retreat, there are a few tips and tricks you should know beforehand to ensure that you can maximize the experience for everyone. First, you should make sure that you plan the retreat during a slow period. Many companies have specific seasons where they are the busiest, which would obviously be a bad time to take employees away from where they’re needed. It is also recommended to avoid scheduling company retreats during this time because it may only add to stress employees are feeling.
To increase participation, it is suggested that you create an itinerary for people to stick to, so everyone is on the same page. You don’t want the retreat to seem unstructured or like a last-minute thought. Try to give your employees a good balance of fun and educational activities.
It’s important that everyone feels like they can talk to the people they work with. While this isn’t always the case in the workplace, employers can always take steps to make their employees feel more comfortable.