Staff retreats

[JimDeLa]

Hi. My organization is having a mandatory staff retreat tomorrow. The leaders are refusing to tell any of us what will happen, what we will be hearing or wil lbe asked to talk about.

My question is, is that normal? The secrecy is causing a fair amount of angst among staffers because they don't feel prepared. Suggestions anyone?

[tedanderson]

This is normal. First of all, to ensure that you get the most enjoyment from it, the surprises can't be given away. The same way that I wouldn't ruin a good book that you are reading by telling you how it ends, telling you what will happen on the retreat will compromise its purpose.

Secondly, it is important to approach this experience with a clear and open mind. If everyone knew what to expect, it would be much harder to receive the message and the purpose of the trip. If you started to develop pre-conceived ideas about the subject matter at hand, you are less likely to accept the new ideas that are going to be presented.

Third, its about trust. You have to trust that this is going to be something that is good for you and not bad. Like when you were growing up and your parents said, "Come on and get in the car." without telling you exactly where you were going... only to be pleasantly surprised to discover that you were going to a theme park or your favorite restaurant.

And you also have to take into consideration that if they expected you to be "prepared" they would have told you what to expect. If they are just saying "Pack your clothes and get on the bus" your level of preparedness is not an issue.

And if I were to share anything that I know about being on a retreat, I'd only be doing you a disservice. The purpose of the secrecy and lack of disclosure is intended to be a blessing.

[JimDeLa]

I expect my employer to treat me like an adult, not a child. I don't wish to be "surprised" by anything on the job. What could possibly happen (other than being told people were being fired) that would be "better" by not knowing about it in advance? Secrecy, by it's very nature, breeds distrust.

It's a terrible way to treat people who work for you.

[frank]

"Secrets" work well for some personalities and not so good for others. If you truly trust the folks you work for/with, just go with the flow, and ask Him for patience, acceptance, and increased trust. And you are in OUR prayers as well.

[tedanderson]

What could possibly happen that would be "better" by not knowing about it in advance?

I'm sure you'll be able to tell us once you get back.

Like for instance, if I explained to you that I was going to tell you a joke, and I told you the punchline and then I told the joke, it wouldn't be funny, thus eliminating the purpose of me telling the joke in the first place. But if I was in the middle of a presentation and I slipped a joke in there when you least expected it, you would really enjoy my presentation because I would have made you laugh.

Relax. Lighten up. This is a retreat.... which is going to be fun. Not stressful or task intensive. It's a work trip but it isn't "work" per se. Nobody is going to lose their job or get into trouble on this trip. Nobody is attempting to hide anything that they otherwise wouldn't tell you under other circumstances. This isn't the same thing as someone being sneaky or deceptive or somehow underhanded in their approach.

So if you come back and tell us that you disliked the retreat, you regretted going, and never want to go on another retreat, I will agree that you have some validity in what you are saying.

[dmot]

I'm sure it has happened but very few organizations would take employees on a retreat in order to fire them.

One reason, among many, for not explaining is if they want to introduce something that will be a dramatic change for the organization. Leadership may want to lay it all out to the entire staff and be there to dialogue about it together. If they didn't keep a lid on it the potential for rumors, unwarranted speculation, and other negatives could come up.

They may also want to avoid people bringing expectations to the retreat. That helps create a "getting away from it all" feel and can allow you to get maximum benefit from it.

I think it is very rare for an organization to use the time and expense to take employees on a retreat for something that is going to be a negative experience.

[tedanderson]

I'm sure it has happened but very few organizations would take employees on a retreat in order to fire them.

I'd imagine that it would be an awkward ride home if the entire staff is traveling together.

[JimDeLa]

Postscript:

The "retreat" presented absolutely nothing that warranted secrecy. There were no surprises, no "a-ha" moments. Nothing that couldn't have been accomplished in an hour at the office. Basically, it was we're doing it right, now just go and do more of it. The facilitator's final suggestion? Do a "flash mob" in the middle of our annual business meeting next October.

For me it was a day of lost productivity with very little to show for it. So while I was somewhat relieved I wasn't required to justify my existence to the organization, it really didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.

The bottom line is, the secrecy did not create anticipation. It created anxiety and irritation. And it was totally unnecessary.

[[Director] Joseph B]

perhaps the retreat was just a "reward" for a job well done.

[JimDeLa]

Wow. Just don't see how anyone could consider it a reward -- Sitting in a chair for six hours completing workbook exercises and "sharing" our answers. It was a complete waste of time for me. Maybe the receptionist enjoyed not answering phones on a Friday but should I have to lose a day's productivity because of it? I don't mean to sound selfish but I have a lot to do before the place shuts down for the holidays.

Judging by the responses to my original post, basically to shut up and enjoy it, I should probably not expect to be treated like a professional when working for a religious organization. And I think that's a shame.

[tedanderson]

Well Jim, I am sorry that it basically sucked for you because had I been treated that way I probably would have felt/thought the same things.

If I were you I would go back and express this to your management if you have not already done so. Granted there is a right way to approach your boss if he hasn't already asked for feedback. It is important that your leadership hears what you have to say because if they know that their investment in the staff was futile, they'll find other ways that are are more time/cost effective methods to get their point across.

The bottom line is, the secrecy did not create anticipation. It created anxiety and irritation. And it was totally unnecessary.

Ok. Point taken. Aside of the fear of getting fired, you were dead on the money. But going back to your original question, yes this is normal and very common. The bad part of it all is that somewhere along the line the ball was either dropped or whomever set this up didn't have a clue as to the purpose of a retreat.

[[Director] Joseph B]

It's not a matter of being treated like a professional - Most of us here are volunteers, many doing professional level work - often times without notice until we screw up.
If my pastor told me he was sending me to a retreat I'd be ecstatic looking forward to it.
I'd also be ecstatic if I got even a list of the bible cites for Sunday and didn't have to pull them up on the fly.
As Ted suggested - let them know that your work is more important and you'd prefer to sit out the next retreat (if there is one).
Or wasn't asked to put up a really eye catching slide for something important 10 minutes before the service.
While you may not have appreciated what was done I honestly think it was done because you are appreciated.