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Original poster

So what's the deal with free time during work retreats?

20 replies

sorrybutno · 14/08/2019 19:28

I'm sure it varies, but generally, what's the deal with free time during work retreats? I'm meant to be going on one probably December-ish to a city far away from here but my best friend lives there- will I be able to meet her for dinner as long as I'm back in the morning for the first activity or will I probably be expected to stay for the whole time with the work group? Has anyone done a work retreat in a hotel overnight, if so, what was it like? TIA

OP posts:
PalindromicUser · 14/08/2019 19:30

Surely this is a question for your employer? Confused

It depends entirely on the programme for your trip and the rules imposed by your employer.

LordEmsworth · 14/08/2019 19:32

What on earth, is a work retreat? How can you retreat into work?

I have done team overnight stays and there was an expectation everyone would turn out together in the evening, but if there's quite a few of you then honestly no-one would have noticed an absence.

ComtesseDeSpair · 14/08/2019 19:34

Generally when we go away on these there’s an expectation you have dinner together with your colleagues. A lot of people then disperse thereafter back to their hotel rooms and a few chummier colleagues usually stay together and go to a bar. It would be seen as a bit rude and antisocial to skip out altogether but as Palindromic said, you really need to check with your manager. There may be no similar expectation in your company that you eat together.

jackparlabane · 14/08/2019 19:36

You'd have to talk to your manager or the organiser - I've been on several work trips where doing your own thing in the evening is fine, others where there is more training activities or work in the evening. So it depends.

Original poster
sorrybutno · 14/08/2019 19:42

Ahh, I'll ask then but it's just a bit awkward, there'll be no training but I bet it'll be expected that we'll all eat etc together. How else can I work 'please may I leave to see my friend'?😂😂

OP posts:
Original poster
sorrybutno · 14/08/2019 19:42

Word**

OP posts:
caballerino · 14/08/2019 20:07

Do you happen to have any stupendously difficult dietary requirements that the venue can't possibly meet?

RainOrSun · 14/08/2019 20:14

How many nights?
2 nights, generally I've had stuff scheduled both nights. Longer that that, there is usually a free evening.
So, maybe phrase it as is there a free evening to explore the local area? You need to know what day your friend need to keep free.

managedmis · 14/08/2019 20:16

Er, dont ask work Hmm

Just go meet your friend, it's not the fucking military!

StoatofDisarray · 14/08/2019 20:27

I go on one of these with my company once a year. You will be expected to stay and eat with your colleagues: it's part of the reason for having these things. You can always visit your friend after it's finished.

floatinglily · 14/08/2019 20:33

We've been expected to stay with work colleagues for dinner too. A couple did wander off but they were seen as exceptionally rude by the senior managers.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/08/2019 20:39

This would always be majorly frowned upon wherever I've worked, sadly. I'd have loved a few nights in a city or in the room by myself!

HermioneWeasley · 14/08/2019 20:53

You’ll be expected to eat with your colleagues
Can you not meet her day before or after?

Original poster
sorrybutno · 14/08/2019 21:59

@LordEmsworth nice way of putting mandatory meetings etc across the country and staying one or two nights.

OP posts:
adaline · 14/08/2019 22:03

You'll be expected to stay with your colleagues I'm afraid - you could probably escape after dinner though.

When I've been on work courses we have had periods of free time but they've never been long enough to do more than shower and get ready - maybe 90 minute chunks of time at the most. I wouldn't imagine you'd be free to miss an entire evening I'm afraid.

EmpressJewel · 14/08/2019 22:32

I went on a development residential and we didn't finish our activities until 7pm and then only had an hour to get ready for dinner at 8pm. So I literally had no time to spare.

The only problem I foresee with meeting your friend is that you don't know the timetable and I bet whoever you are doing will run over.

Original poster
sorrybutno · 15/08/2019 09:38

What's the dinner like with colleagues? I guess it's good if you're friends but I might only know one person there 😂

OP posts:
adaline · 15/08/2019 09:46

What's the dinner like with colleagues?

Well, it depends on who you're with, where you're going and what kind of people your bosses are. Are they happy for you to just eat and scarper, or are they all about team work and staying and "showing your face"?

munemema · 15/08/2019 09:49

I think you'd usually be expected to be with the team in the evenings but if it was more than one night and one of my team asked if they could have one evening out to see an old friend in the area, then I'd be fine with that.

You need to talk to your manager.

Original poster
sorrybutno · 15/08/2019 10:59

@adaline unfortunately, I think the latter but I think I'll only know one other person, it's training for people who've joined in the last year from around the U.K.

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