Excessive work retreats

[Anonymous]

CEO insists on scheduling executive work retreats one week per month, with the location alternating between East and West coasts. I'm new to the company, but have been working for over 20 years and this seems excessive and wasteful to me. Do other companies do this, and if so, why??

[Anonymous]

Once per month? That’s excessive. Once per year, that would be fine

[Anonymous]

Yes, excessive.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get any real work done when I'm on a retreat one week out of every four/five. I'm also jealous of my staff who doesn't have to go to these things!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get any real work done when I'm on a retreat one week out of every four/five. I'm also jealous of my staff who doesn't have to go to these things!

I'm sure your staff is jealous that you're jet-setting between coasts every 4-5 weeks while they stay behind and pick up your slack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get any real work done when I'm on a retreat one week out of every four/five. I'm also jealous of my staff who doesn't have to go to these things!

I'm sure your staff is jealous that you're jet-setting between coasts every 4-5 weeks while they stay behind and pick up your slack.

Contrary to popular belief, not all execs want these types of boondoggles. I prefer actually being productive at work, and also happen to enjoy spending time with my family.

[Anonymous]

Is this a PUBLIC company? Or privately held?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a PUBLIC company? Or privately held?

Private.

[Anonymous]

At the large corporation where I work, our department used to have them 4x per year (for 2 days). People really (secretly) disliked the frequency.

So now the retreats are only 2x per year (for 2 days), and people are fine with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the large corporation where I work, our department used to have them 4x per year (for 2 days). People really (secretly) disliked the frequency.

So now the retreats are only 2x per year (for 2 days), and people are fine with that.

Someone must have said something, right? For the policy to change. My entire Sunday was spent traveling cross-country, and all we did last night was have dinner. I really hope the rest of this week is actually productive in some way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this a PUBLIC company? Or privately held?

Private.

Then not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it's not a cult?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure it's not a cult?

That thought seriously crossed my mind as I checked into my dorm-style accommodations yesterday... thankfully each of us has a single room, but bathrooms are shared between two. The retreat locale is beautiful but set up like a camp for adults. However, if it's a cult, not all the other execs have been brainwashed - those of us who traveled together yesterday are all shaking our heads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get any real work done when I'm on a retreat one week out of every four/five. I'm also jealous of my staff who doesn't have to go to these things!

I'm sure your staff is jealous that you're jet-setting between coasts every 4-5 weeks while they stay behind and pick up your slack.

What is there to be jealous about riding dirty planes back and forth? Sounds miserable and exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get any real work done when I'm on a retreat one week out of every four/five. I'm also jealous of my staff who doesn't have to go to these things!

I'm sure your staff is jealous that you're jet-setting between coasts every 4-5 weeks while they stay behind and pick up your slack.

What is there to be jealous about riding dirty planes back and forth? Sounds miserable and exhausting.

In fairness to that PP, we flew on the company jet, not commercial. However, I stand by my original statement that these retreats are excessive and wasteful, and not enjoyable for at least half the attendees. I would much rather have spent Sunday at home, and this week in the office (and home in my own bed each night).