Excessive work retreats

[Anonymous]

OP wow that's insane, are you in a MLM company or a cult? Not at all normal in fact might be an excellent time to find a new job. Unless you make like at least $2M plus bonus a year that would be a no from me.

It sounds like he has no friends or life and is treating his staff like paid "friends." No cool.

You all should make it know that you don't want to do this anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Private.

Except that it is clearly a problem when it cuts into everyone’s time so much and takes away from their actual job responsibilities. It’s poor management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

You are complaining about free trips on the company jet???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sharing a bathroom no thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sharing a bathroom no thank you.

Right?? Why are other PPs hung up on it being a free trip rather than it being an *unwanted* trip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Private.

Except that it is clearly a problem when it cuts into everyone’s time so much and takes away from their actual job responsibilities. It’s poor management.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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).

You are complaining about free trips on the company jet???

Why are there soooo many stupid comments on this site today?!
FREE FORCED WORK TRIPS not FREE vacations on a private jet which is where your mind took you for some unknown reason. What is wrong with you? DO YOU UNDERSTAND IT'S FOR WORK NOT PLEASURE. Do you get the difference???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP wow that's insane, are you in a MLM company or a cult? Not at all normal in fact might be an excellent time to find a new job. Unless you make like at least $2M plus bonus a year that would be a no from me.

It sounds like he has no friends or life and is treating his staff like paid "friends." No cool.

You all should make it know that you don't want to do this anymore.

In this economic climate, we’re all too afraid to say anything. I am quietly exploring other options, but concerned about the short tenure.

[Anonymous]

Is there something mission critical that these come togethers support? Are you all the heads of different work streams that need to align for end product development (you make a product and then the heads of sales, training, and marketing all get together to align and package). Not saying it can't happen outside of in person time, but that would seem like a reasonable use of time

Once a month to relax, connect, and vision set seems like a waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there something mission critical that these come togethers support? Are you all the heads of different work streams that need to align for end product development (you make a product and then the heads of sales, training, and marketing all get together to align and package). Not saying it can't happen outside of in person time, but that would seem like a reasonable use of time

Once a month to relax, connect, and vision set seems like a waste.

This is only my 2nd retreat, but thus far there does not appear to be anything mission critical about them. It simply seems we are here at the whim of the CEO. I can’t believe we have to do this again in four weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there something mission critical that these come togethers support? Are you all the heads of different work streams that need to align for end product development (you make a product and then the heads of sales, training, and marketing all get together to align and package). Not saying it can't happen outside of in person time, but that would seem like a reasonable use of time

Once a month to relax, connect, and vision set seems like a waste.

This is only my 2nd retreat, but thus far there does not appear to be anything mission critical about them. It simply seems we are here at the whim of the CEO. I can’t believe we have to do this again in four weeks.

I believe this is literally my idea of hell. I hate retreats. I can't imagine people are going to stick around. It's effectively a job with 25% travel. People have lives. It's one thing if traveling is essential to business functions, but this isn't.

[Anonymous]

Just finished retreat activities for the day and now I need to catch up on my actual job responsibilities. Time difference not doing anyone any favors either.

[Anonymous]

OP. Good news - we're headed home tomorrow (Thursday), a day earlier than originally scheduled. Bad news - the early departure isn't because the CEO saw the light about these unnecessary retreats but because an investor is coming to visit the office Friday morning. Can anyone offer tips on how to very politely and delicately help the CEO actually see the light? As mentioned earlier, I can't afford to lose this job right now.

[Anonymous]

Your job is to do what your boss wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Good news - we're headed home tomorrow (Thursday), a day earlier than originally scheduled. Bad news - the early departure isn't because the CEO saw the light about these unnecessary retreats but because an investor is coming to visit the office Friday morning. Can anyone offer tips on how to very politely and delicately help the CEO actually see the light? As mentioned earlier, I can't afford to lose this job right now.

How receptive would the CEO be to the old "I'd love to come to the retreat but a client has requested a critical meeting that week. It affects X$ of business and I am concerned about pushing back the request." line. At some point some/many of you simply can't afford to peace out for a week at a time.