"These events, also called retreats, bring colleagues together for a mix of structured activities and free time - freeing them from their regular work obligations. For one or two days, employees take a mandatory break from their normal routines at work and at home. Participants spend a lot of that time making small talk with colleagues, as well as engaging in structured interactions that may include awkward icebreakers."
"Unsure about whether it will be worth the time and effort, you might ask: What's in it for me? We are management professors who study how professional networks help information and resources move across organizations and create opportunities. Our research findings suggest participating in an offsite could be well worth the time and hassle. And it might quietly reshape your working relationships in unexpected ways."
Offsites and retreats gather colleagues for structured activities and free time, temporarily releasing them from normal work and home routines. Participants often spend days making small talk and taking part in structured interactions that can include awkward icebreakers. Networking is a primary goal but can feel transactional, uncomfortable, or unpleasant to some participants. Research indicates participating in an offsite can be worthwhile despite the time and expense and can quietly reshape working relationships. Offsites can support strategic planning, team development and goal setting, commonly occurring once or twice yearly and often bringing together employees who rarely interact.
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