Spending time out of work with your colleagues might not be your idea of a great time, but a work retreat is a popular vacation right now.
Instead of old ice breakers, corny events, and boring team building games, work retreats can be fun and productive at the same time. You just need to avoid overused cliches! Forget the lousy retreats you’ve experienced in the past. It’s time to enjoy colleague events again!
Whether you’re planning a retreat or researching ideas for one, there are many great activities to choose from. A mix of work-based activities and leisure events creates a balanced retreat that will stimulate employees while allowing for fun times.
Want to know if your team will benefit from a work retreat? We’ve got all you need to know. Keep reading to find out the most popular 2022 work retreat ideas and find out whether a holiday will work for your team.
What Is A Work Retreat?
Before we jump into the top work retreat ideas, we’ll quickly cover what a work retreat is. Many employees have a false image of a work retreat with negative implications! However, this just isn’t true.
A work retreat can be defined as an event where employees can bond and spend time together while sharing ideas outside a typical working environment. Retreats can be a day event or over a week of holiday - it’s up to you!
Some work retreats have a purpose: finding solutions for work problems and planning for the following year. Others are solely to boost morale and communications throughout the team. Each scenario gives more positives than negatives to those who go.
Why Do You Need A Work Retreat?
Wondering if your team needs to go on a work retreat? Here are some of the benefits that you can experience from this event.
● Improved brainstorming
● Innovative ideas
● Better team communication
● Connection between the managers and the team
● Improved workplace engagement
● Boosted morale
● Better work output
● Improves relationships across departments
There are countless benefits to going on a work retreat, but they’re also fun! While you might have corporate goals, make sure you don’t treat the experience like another day in the office. A retreat should always feel casual.
Popular Work Retreat Activities
A corporate retreat can take many shapes and forms. Some are day-long, and others involve international travel. Of course, your retreat activities will depend on your team’s budget and size, but here are the most common ideas. Enjoy!
Hiking
Hiking is a popular vacation activity, so why don’t you mix it into your work retreat! One of the perks of hiking is that you don’t need to be super fit to enjoy the day. Choose a low to medium level trail and enjoy the view with your colleagues. This is a great way to break the ice and get to know each other.
Eating Together
If your retreat lasts for more than a day, you’ll have to spend time eating with your colleagues. But, don’t opt for boring sandwiches or pre-packed meals. Make dining an experience! When you share a meal with coworkers, you’ll get to know them better. If your team is large, try to ensure everyone mingles on these occasions.
Grab Drinks
While this option may not be appropriate for all companies, it’s a popular occurrence on work retreats. Grab a few drinks together to blow off some steam! Make sure there are options for non-drinkers. It’s essential that everyone feels included.
Get Active
If you’re mixing your retreat with corporate seminars or work time, it’s important to sprinkle some activity into the day too. Activity gets your endorphins going and boosts your mood. Get your team up and going with some positive exercise.
Games Night
Another way to bring a lightheartedness to your work retreat is through a game night. This will bring employees out of their shells, and it’ll help to form bonds across departments. This is perfect for ice breaker situations too.
Power Work Hour
Finally, it’s common for work retreats to include a few hours a day where employees get some work done. If your whole company is away, it’s essential to make sure emails are responded to! Carve out some time where everyone can power through work together, making it feel like less of a chore.
Final Thoughts
A work retreat doesn’t have to be dull! These trips are beneficial for work output, problem-solving, and getting to know each other better. Hopefully, you feel inspired to plan a corporate trip now. Good luck!
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