A workplace where collaboration and camaraderie go hand in hand is one where people will stay put and be productive. Occasional offsite retreats can help build this positive culture. There are plenty of great places to have one in the Hudson Valley, including a brand new Westchester site.
With COVID rules in the rear view, corporate retreats are making a comeback. They can be a great way to encourage interaction and boost fellowship among a company’s staff, especially bringing remote employees together who may have never met in person. According to Joel Mausner, PhD, managing director and principal consultant of White Plains’ Workplace Psychology, an ideal work retreat combines elements of a company business meeting with sufficient time to just socialize. He recommends at least two nights and three days for optimal benefit.
“A retreat can be a worthwhile investment for employers, especially if they are looking to improve team collaboration and work culture to attain the long-term, bottom-line gains that high morale and a high performing work culture can bring,” says Mausner. “But it’s likely not a good investment to deal with short-term goals and bottom-line efficiencies. Those things are better addressed with shorter on-site training workshops.”
“A work retreat can help employees become more engaged and aligned around the key principles of the organization, such as its purpose, vision, values, and products.”
—Joel Mausner, PhD, workplace psychology expert
For a multi-day event, a focused, balanced agenda is key. The work-related components are typically for training or future planning or both, and the social pieces should involve both semi-structured group activities and informal opportunities for one-on-one conversations, according to Mausner. He cautions against too much focus on the fun part of the experience, because that won’t result in the return-on-investment that employers are looking for. “Employees should not expect to be going on vacation and should come prepared to work on issues related to the company.” That said, some down time is essential and fair. For instance, some people find being ‘on’ in person for long periods tiring, and breaks can allow them to recharge. Others need a scheduled chance to check in at home for peace of mind. Both are valid considerations.
Where to?
Westchester businesses have several great nearby options for a team getaway.
Crotonville Conference Center, Ossining
One of the county’s newest corporate retreats, this was G.E.’s John F. Welch Leadership Development Center until 2024. Today, it is a cutting-edge campus boasting three indoor and eight outdoor event venues and teambuilding activities such as cooking events, karaoke, guided walks, meditation, yoga, and axe throwing. There are 253 guest rooms in its central Croton Hall and auxiliary buildings, as well as a Carriage House and Barn available for smaller groups.
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
Situated in a Victorian castle nestled amid 40,000 acres of protected wilderness, the ritzy Mohonk Mountain House was voted the #1 Resort of the Mid-Atlantic in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row. It’s easy to see why—every detail is classy. Whomever is running the retreat can choose from over 50 pre-organized team building events, with a variety of options including a ropes course, ice carving, an escape room, even a scavenger hunt. Team Development Challenges offer more in-depth, guided courses on leadership.
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, Milton
A 4-star hotel with a recreation center that abuts a wildlife rescue sanctuary where employees can mingle with llamas and alpacas? Yes, please. The inn’s circa-1764 Main House, guest houses, and cottages offer 17 custom accommodations, plus a renowned farm-to-table restaurant that sources as many ingredients as possible locally, including herbs, fruits, and vegetables from the onsite organic Millstone Farm. Teambuilding activities include working on the farm and yoga. Advance reservations are a must for the onsite, world-class spa.
Related: New Rochelle Welcomes Its First-Ever Downtown Recreation Center
