Green Office Retreats
Employee Wellbeing
The Human Touch: How Company Team-building Retreats Nurture Employee Wellbeing.
People are at the heart of any successful business, whether in the corporate world, startups, or creative agencies. The power of human connections has become all too clear, with remote/hybrid working and “always-on” culture becoming the norm. As the lines between professional and personal life blur, it has become crucial for organisations to discover innovative ways to support their teams’ wellbeing.
This focus on employee wellbeing is not only a good thing to do, it’s good for business.
According to a study by the University of Warwick, happy employees are 12% more productive than their counterparts (giving your company more of a competitive advantage!)
An approach to team well-being gaining popularity is the tailored company retreat, set in Nature. Whether it’s to brainstorm strategy off-site, foster team-building with remote workers, or simply reward your people for their efforts all year.
This article explores the transformative power of the bespoke team retreat, inspiring your company retreat planning and providing plenty of evidence to convince your colleagues and senior leadership.
The Importance of Employee Well-being
There is increased recognition employee well-being is a critical factor in organisational success.
If your employees' well-being is prioritised, they will bring more energy and creativity to their work and take fewer sick days. This approach is integral to performance and the bottom line.
Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report found that highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability.
When your employees feel they are being looked after, they are more likely to be engaged, work more productively and stay with your company rather than moving on and browsing job ads. With recruitment time-consuming and costly, improving staff retention and loyalty can make a huge impact.
By 2030, millennials and Gen Z will make up the majority of the workforce, and they’re actively seeking employers who care about their well-being. 80% of millennials consider an organisation's commitment to employee well-being when deciding whether to work for them. (Deloitte) While Gen Z is looking for flexibility, mental health support, and a positive work culture that aligns with their values.
So it makes sense for companies to add fostering employee wellbeing into their strategy, investing in initiatives that prioritise the mental and physical health of their workforce.
Tailored Company Retreats as a Solution
An off-site company retreat is more than a perk, it’s a key way to show your people you care, reinforce company values, and build your team. Taking time away from your “desk” offers a fresh perspective and allows remote workers to spend time together. The new approach for off-site retreats is far removed from a generic, tick-box team-building away day; it is a personalised experience that caters to the specific needs of the team, the business, and their values.
There are many reasons to come together on a company retreat. It enables hybrid or remote teams to connect, both in a work setting and informally, essential in the new world of work. It’s perfect for fast-growing startups, who want to share their company ethos & values as they hire new team members. Other businesses may want to reward their people for exceeding targets, while for others getting off-site offers creative solutions to strategy or business challenges.
Whatever the reason, there is little doubt that bringing people together in a new location is positive for staff wellbeing and the company’s health overall. With many companies becoming B Corp or embedding sustainability into their brand, choosing a retreat at an eco venue in nature aligns and reinforces their values.
Enhancing Well-being Through Nature
As humans, we have an intuitive understanding of the benefits of nature.
At Green Office Retreats, based at our eco nature-led glamping site in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, amidst breathtaking scenery, we deeply understand the positive impact of immersing ourselves in wild spaces. Moreover, there is a growing body of scientific evidence supporting these benefits. Numerous studies show time in nature can be a big antidote for stress - lowering blood pressure and stress hormone levels and reducing anxiety. The great outdoors is a natural mood-booster! (Yale 360).
Nature also provides a counterpoint to our always-on screen-based culture and a chance to disconnect from the constant demands of technology. Of course, on a company retreat you need access to good wifi for business planning and checking emails - but it’s also a great opportunity to introduce some digital detox time, allowing employees to recharge and return to work with renewed focus and energy.
A change of scenery can stimulate fresh ideas and improve concentration, making nature retreats a great setting for brainstorming sessions and strategic planning. After all, the greatest poets and artists have taken inspiration from the natural world!
Team building in nature
Our ancestors gathered around the campfire to foster connections, build a community, and share stories. Why can’t modern businesses benefit too?
The more casual and relaxed setting of a glamping trip can stimulate creative thinking and innovation, encouraging meaningful conversations and connections that may not be possible in a formal business environment. This time for informal team bonding leads to improved relationships across different departments or levels within the business.
Teamwork is all about collaboration and communication and on your retreat you can plan outdoor activities and challenges, designed to enhance problem-solving, professional development, or add healthy competition.
Such team-bonding activities in nature can help employees build trust, improve communication, and strengthen their bonds.
Benefits of the company retreat in nature.
Overall, a company retreat in nature puts the human touch back into the modern workplace. A tailored company getaway can significantly boost employee well-being and, consequently, productivity.
The long-term benefits for both the employees and the organisation as a whole are wide-ranging, including improved loyalty, better staff retention, and increased motivation.
Nature in particular offers benefits, including lowering stress, improving connections and creativity.
Going off-site on a glamping adventure full of fresh air, outdoor activities, campfire chats and collaborations, means employees are transported and return to work refreshed, better connected to their team-mates, and ready to smash their targets.
How will your business benefit from a nature retreat?
While the various benefits have been outlined here, it's essential to carefully plan and tailor these experiences to the specific needs and preferences of your organisation and employees. The effectiveness of nature retreats is likely to be influenced by how well they align with the brand values too. You can find out more about how to plan a successful company retreat here.
Find out more about Green Office Retreats or if you are looking for help you create your perfect company retreat in nature contact us via the form below.