Only 5 per cent of employers offering corporate retreats: Survey

Benefits include increased teamwork, morale, innovation, say CFOs

Only 5 per cent of employers offering corporate retreats: Survey
Companies with 250 to 499 employees are the most likely to offer an annual corporate retreat, found a Robert Half survey. Shutterstock

Corporate retreats — offsite events where employees, commonly executives, meet to discuss the business — offer organizations numerous benefits, with increased teamwork and employee morale chief among them, according to Canadian CFOs.

But 95 per cent of Canadian employers don't hold annual gatherings, according to a survey of more than 270 CFOs by Robert Half Management Resources.

When asked about the benefits of retreats, 72 per cent cited increased teamwork and morale, 15 per cent cited “an environment that stimulates new ideas and perspectives,” nine per cent said enhanced cross-departmental collaboration, while five per cent cited additional professional development opportunities.

Companies with 250 to 499 employees are the most likely to offer an annual corporate retreat, found the survey. And among industries, business services firms most commonly hold these sessions, while retail services offer them the least.

"Corporate retreats or similar events give employees the opportunity to explore and engage with different aspects of their company's overall business strategies and goals," said David King, Canadian president of Robert Half Management Resources. "Companies can benefit from creating environments that encourage teams to think freely and collaborate on ways to grow the organization."

Even with resource challenges, firms should actively seek opportunities to take employees out of their day-to-day routines and allow for creativity, relationship-building and goal-setting, he said.

"Regardless of size or scale, designating time for brainstorming and strategy sessions will help support a more innovative, dynamic and engaged workplace.”

Robert Half highlighted alternatives to traditional corporate retreats:

  • Innovation days: Invite groups to develop and pitch ideas to help the business. Executives can review the proposals and guide teams in implementing them.
  • Staycation-style retreats: Managers can take their teams to a local offsite venue to brainstorm and connect.
  • Top-performer celebrations: In addition to recognizing their great work, invite star employees to submit their ideas for helping the organization grow.
  • Town halls: These regular or semiregular gatherings provide an opportunity to share updates with staff. Serve food or otherwise dress up the event to emphasize its importance.
  • Quarterly strategy sessions: Gather department leaders or task forces to talk shop in a formal setting.

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