What should I pack for a rural work retreat?

[Pleasenomoor]

advice desperately needed. I started a new job a week ago. They asked me to keep this week clear to travel, but I’ve just received the details, leaving Thursday morning. it’s a rural retreat to a national park and I’ve been told to bring ‘outdoorsy’ clothes.

i work in finance and wear tailoring most days. I don’t even own walking boots. Do I take my puffer coat?? Literally no idea. I’m size 12, pear shaped, 5’2”. I can possibly get to M&S or White Stuff or Next tomorrow evening. I can’t even begin to get my head around it - should I buy a fleece? Would that be silly? I asked for a dress code and the answer was ‘well, I wouldn’t dress for the Ritz’. Most of the rest of the team are older men so I’d imagine khakis or jeans and jumpers? On top of it all, I’m the only woman my age (39) and my background is in a city law firm, so I don’t want to look like a misfit!

OP I’m sorry you have joined such a dense team that have clearly no clue how off putting this is for the new woman in the team. The opposite of inclusive.

A trip to decathlon will sort you out. 1 fleece 1 pair outdoors shoes/ boots. A waterproof. Non flappy trousers. Long sleeve tops. Baseball cap.

plus demand to know what the activities will be. It’s fair to say you literally have no outdoorsy clothes so you need to know what to buy. Are there any women at all who are part of the planning that you can talk to?

Crampons and a flare gun

A note of caution.

A friend of mine took steps to avoid a work "outward bound" type weekend as she was the non out-doorsy type and not very fit. The manager who arranged it made no enquiry if any of the participants had special needs or were an older demographic. He also took out the wrong insurance. An older lady fell and was injured and had to be helecoptered out The husband sued for personal injury and the company also had to pay for the medivac. Not a good day for anyone. My friend was glad she took a sickie.

When a company organises an "outward bound" or adventure-style team-building event, they have strict legal and operational obligations to ensure employee safety. The organiser or the external adventure hosting company must document all potential hazards of the specific activities (e.g., hiking, climbing, water sports) and outline how those risks will be mitigated. Participants should have been given confidential medical questionnaires to disclose pre-existing conditions, mobility issues, or age-related physical limitations. Standard corporate insurance rarely covers high-risk outdoor activities. The manager needed in the above example a specific policy covering adventure sports, personal injury, and emergency medical evacuation (medivac). In terms of risk assessment a formal review of the activities against the physical capabilities of the specific group attending, including mitigation plans for hazards needs to be carried out.

Absolutely agree. "just buy something from Mountain Warehouse" doesn't really cover this.

And an employer should be very careful that compulsory outdoors activities isn't discriminatory.

When the uni I worked for organised any off campus activity - especially those where we stayed away - all participants were sent a questionnaire where they could detail any special needs, restrictions or dietary requirements. I went on one where the facilitator asked me to do things which I refused (like sitting on the floor and rushing about the building) and was a bit snotty when I mentioned the Equality Act (it was still called the Disability Discrimination Act back then). She admitted that she had not read the information that the uni had gathered. Tried to say no information was provided. But it seems to me common sense if you are organising activities for a group. I made a formal complaint when the weekend was over and there was a big stink about it.

Bring your own mosquito repellent and anaesthetic cream for any bites you might get. And antihistamine. Keep it all in your backpack so it’s with you.

If you get new walking boots - try and wear them in for a bit . Even if at home . Take plasters / blister plasters with you .
If you are wearing thick socks , try the boots on with those .

If you know the name of the place you are going to, could you call and ask them re activities/clothing?

I would over prepare, buy various different stuff, leave the labels on, pack a big case and see when you get there, then return what you don't use

This looks great and would cover lots of activities

Trail shoes are the way, not walking boots, if that's not your vibe you don't want to turn up feeling like Steve Irwin. Get your footwear sorted, and your jacket, warmth and waterproofing, then all you need is your leggings and a fleece. M and S have Good Move sportswear, if that's reachable, there will be something in there.

Sounds like the rest of the team won't be judging you on what you wear, you just need to be comfortable. Hope it goes well.

Just take clothes you might wear on a rainy windy day for a walk across muddy fields. (Sounds horrific)