Rachel Hill explains that with the increasing number of mandates for employees to return to work, more businesses should take their employees out of the office rather than keep them there.
Human Resources teams are scrambling for innovative ways to boost employee morale as many employers, such as Amazon, Zoom, and Citigroup, mandate a full-time return to work.
Employees are feeling unmotivated and disconnected as they return to the office.
Apple’s senior leaders, for example, fought back by releasing a petition after the company announced staff would need to return to work three days per week.
Over 2,300 Disney employees signed a letter asking CEO Bob Iger, to reconsider the four-days a week office mandate.
Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report for this year found that 42% workers who had experienced burnout said that “feeling alone at work” was a factor.
It is clear that bringing together teams is more important than ever if the return to work is to have the productivity impact the company bosses desire. This alarming number only magnifies the problem that businesses are experiencing right now.
Alternatives to the Traditional Approach
To increase employee engagement and motivation, as well as to foster camaraderie between workers, team building activities are used for many years.
It’s no secret budgets are tight, especially for HR departments. Any investment in team building should be carefully considered, to ensure that it is worth the money, when it comes to creating an engaged, happy workforce.
Alternative team-building activities that offer an experiential learning experience are increasingly popular.
Employees often work together to solve problems and achieve a common goal.
Comparatively to traditional team-building activities, experiential team-building can produce meaningful results such as improved communication, culture and collaboration.
Activities that are outdoors, based on survival and adventure, can be a great way to break up the monotony of the office and help employees reconnect.
These activities are a powerful way for HR to improve employee morale and reduce the resistance to office return.
HR teams can show a commitment to making sure that the return to work is smoother by putting employees in a situation designed to promote teamwork, productivity, and other skills, such as leadership.
Teamwork that is authentic
Public Health England’s research shows that 70% feel healthier physically and mentally when they spend time outside.
Nature’s benefits are well-documented: it reduces stress, improves mood, and increases physical activity, which leads to happier and more productive workers.
Outdoor team building also creates a new dynamic between coworkers. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy encourages role reversal, with junior staff members or quieter team members giving orders to directors.
Outdoors, employees can build lasting memories and authentic connections with each other.”
It helps them gain confidence, so they can be more innovative and daring when it comes to challenging their senior colleagues.
Outdoors, employees can build lasting relationships and authentic connections, especially when they are not forced to participate in the same activities as years ago.
Shared experiences
These challenges encourage teamwork and camaraderie, whether it is solving a puzzle during a treasure hunt or working with others to survive a stranded situation.
Businesses will certainly be looking to promote shared experiences in these times of employee unrest.
Investing in outdoor team building activities can be a great way to boost employee happiness and wellbeing as businesses navigate through the challenges of the post pandemic workplace.
HR departments that prioritize employee health and happiness can show a real commitment to the wellbeing of their employees, resulting in a team more motivated and cohesive, ready to take on the challenges of modern work.
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