Received an email from the boss’s PA today…
Am trying to plan a company retreat for XXX, a day when we can get to bond a little and work closer as a team.
As such, i’m trying to find one Saturday when we’re all free to get away, the exact programme is negotiable, but may include lunch dinner and the Singapore Flyer
I applaud the boss for trying to liven things up, but does he really know what his employee wants or is that what he wants. Firstly, we don’t want to see our colleagues on a weekend. We are friendly with each other, or at least most of us are, but that doesn’t mean we want to see each other on a Saturday. Weekends are meant for family and friends – not colleagues, and definitely not my boss.
Secondly, the Singapore Flyer? Been there done that! 30 minutes in a closed capsule with your colleagues. Erm…no thanks. Really!
Needless to say, I being me, replied that weekends are for families and friends and hopefully it can be rescheduled.
This is what he said…
Company retreats are always held on weekends as it is not feasible for us to shut down our office on a working day (as all staff must attend).
The only other way is to hold it on several consecutive nights but they are not successful as people are usually too tired by then.
Erm. As far as I know, most companies (including those I had been in) DO have their “retreats” or company functions on weekday, as a form of reward rather than to penalising them by using one of their weekends. Companies usually send out notices to clients about the day-off so no one loses out. If the company can’t take that day-off, then something really IS wrong.
Come Monday to Friday, I’ll work hard for the company. I do hope the company respects that and leave our weekends alone.
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