Inspiration: Company Away weekends

[Frankstar123]

Hi All,

I'm fortunate to work for / help run a company that tries its best to put our employees first and every year we have a company "away weekend" in the UK. As our company has grown its getting more and more difficult to get this weekend arranged.

We've gone from a 1st year Weekend in a single cabin to 6 houses at centre parcs and last year was a weekend in hotel with escape rooms, a murder mystery themed meal etc.

Does anyone have any other unique ideas for a weekend away for up to 50 staff members? Think the budget would be £200-300 per person.

Anyone got any different ideas?

Thanks

Frankstar

[ehonda]

https://campwildfire.co.uk/

This looks like fun, no idea of cost though.
(no affiliation it just popped up on my FB feed a while back)

[C0ffin D0dger]

It's bad enough spending the week with my fellow colleagues, let alone spending a weekend away with them Save your money

[S100HP]

I'm so glad I don't work for the OP

[Munter]

I think what the two people above are indicating is that you may have become too large for this sort of thing.

Chances of 50 people all being happy to enjoy the same thing is pretty slight. Some will feel compelled to endure it and say "oh yes a lovely time, thanks", while preferring you'd either A)done nothing or B)put £30 a head behind the bar at a local pub. Others will enjoy it and say "oh yes a lovely time, thanks". But you'll never really know which is which.

I have been both at different events. (I do not recommend a long...oh god so long, steam train trip, or a "treasure hunt")

I suppose a hotel room, free hookers and a pile of coke is out of the question?

[devnull]

Respectfully, I think it would be better if you just gave them some cold hard cash.

No-one really likes away-days or company events, it's all a bit cringe-worthy.

[Ikemi]

As others have said, either give them a cash incentive or - at a push - hold some sort of evening party/event. As much as I wouldn't mind spending a weekend with several of my work colleagues, I can't say the same for others ...

[Countdown]

50 is a lot....

Is that made up of different teams? I'd suggest each team doing their own thing.

[boyse7en]

Bluestone in south wales?
It's a more rugged version of Centre Parcs, with nice chalets and cabins, a pub/restaurants, and lots of outdoor sports stuff (mountain biking, climbing, death slides etc) and a big pool.

[Zetec-S]

A weekend with my work colleagues sounds horrendous, but then I'm a miserable (not so) old git

But OP - fair play to you and your company for the generosity.

[Vaud]

Employees have to sacrifice a weekend to spend with their colleagues...against a £300 budget?

Persuade them to have a half day out in works time....

[Hookaduck]

Corporate days is something we do a lot of here at the centre. We can tailor make a day to what you want.
https://www.yorkshire.landroverexperience.co.uk/co...

[rog007]

Have you asked the staff for ideas?

Did you evaluate last year’s event?

What is the aim of the weekend?

[Black_S3]

Depends so much on the employees... Having to go to a weekend in centerparcs, Alton towers or go ape would be near torture for me.... that said a weekend of paintballing, karting, hookers and coke would go down a treat.

[StevieBee]

rog007 said:

Have you asked the staff for ideas?

...or indeed if they would appreciate a weekend away from their families and friends?

At the budget you have, I'd be looking at a day to which each can bring a plus1.

[Shakermaker]

Vaud said:

Employees have to sacrifice a weekend to spend with their colleagues...against a £300 budget?

Persuade them to have a half day out in works time....

I get the impression that it isn't the staff who have to pay this £300 per person but that it is laid on for them?

[Vaud]

Shakermaker said:

Vaud said:

Employees have to sacrifice a weekend to spend with their colleagues...against a £300 budget?

Persuade them to have a half day out in works time....

I get the impression that it isn't the staff who have to pay this £300 per person but that it is laid on for them?

I get that bit.

It's the sacrificing a weekend to have to spend time with colleagues that I don't get.

[StevieBee]

Vaud said:

Shakermaker said:

Vaud said:

Employees have to sacrifice a weekend to spend with their colleagues...against a £300 budget?

Persuade them to have a half day out in works time....

I get the impression that it isn't the staff who have to pay this £300 per person but that it is laid on for them?

I get that bit.

It's the sacrificing a weekend to have to spend time with colleagues that I don't get.

I have previously worked in companies that really got into the whole employee weekend thing; an experience that convinced me that the enthusiasm for such activities rested primarily with the person charged with organising them. The stuff we did was OK and quite fun but to be honest, I would have much rather have spent time at home and so would everyone else.

£300 per head is a lot. If I were organising, I'd be looking at a decent night out and sending them each home with £150 cash.

[Vaud]

StevieBee said:

I'd be looking at a decent night out and sending them each home with £150 cash.

There are tax implications for that...

[Jerry Can]

London Rallyschool, Bicester.

As well as conference facilities and a nice rural location, you can have a play on , rally Escorts and Subarus, Rage buggies, reverse steer jeeps, quad bike treks and then for the non car loves, clay pigeon shooting, archery, rifles, axe throwing.

All within your budget as well.