In today’s dynamic business landscape, innovation is key as companies turn to creative solutions that spark collaboration and drive success. Staffinghouse is a modern recruitment company with specialized Staffing Consultants who go beyond the ordinary: offering personalized, niche-focused service that transforms client partnerships.
In the era of Human Capital and People Operations outstanding talent deserves a people orientated approach, where one can grow on a personal and professional level. By embracing company workations, we not only boost team synergy and productivity but also champion creativity and elevate employer branding. Discover how a strategically planned workation can be the game-changer your company needs to thrive.
How did you come up with the idea to go on a company workation?
At Staffinghouse, we genuinely prioritize the satisfaction of our employees. We believe that workations spark fresh inspiration and renewed energy, significantly increasing overall job satisfaction. Research has shown that satisfied employees are 12% more productive than average.
This concept originated during a trip to Vietnam and has since evolved into an initiative where our employees have the opportunity to work abroad twice a year. This initiative stems from a deeply rooted vision at Staffinghouse.
We firmly believe in the concept of workations, but with a unique twist: our workations are team-based and come with all the necessary facilities to ensure a productive and enjoyable experience.
The idea is to blend work and leisure seamlessly, allowing employees to step out of their regular work environment. This lead to a burst of creativity and motivation. Our workations are designed to foster team cohesion, enhance collaborative efforts and provide a setting where our employees can connect on a deeper level; both professionally and personally.
We recognize that the well-being and satisfaction of our employees are crucial to the overall success of the company. By offering these bi-annual workations, we not only show our appreciation but also invest in their professional growth and personal happiness. This forward-thinking approach reflects our commitment to creating a workplace culture that values and nurtures its most important asset—our people.
By offering bi-annual workations, we invest in our team's professional growth and personal happiness, demonstrating our commitment to a workplace culture that values and nurtures its most important asset—our people.
How did you organize the workation?
We can either book a shared workspace with all the necessary facilities or rent a villa equipped with extra screens, desks, and other essentials. Last time on Bali, an external company delivered us these facilities. It is crucial that our employees have the same equipment as they do at our headquarters in Amsterdam to maintain (or even increase) their productivity.
How long do you go on workation with the whole team?
We work for 2 weeks and employees have the option to add holidays. This means that most employees end up being abroad for a month. Although they only take 2 weeks of holiday, they have been away for quite a while.
Where did you take the team on workation?
For now, the destinations are Cape Town and Bali. However, we would like to add some more destinations in the near future.
Please tell us a bit more about your team workation experience and the advantages of a team retreat!
We highly recommend these workations to every company. Our experiences have been incredible. Especially in these challenging times, when attracting and retaining employees is difficult, we have found that working in a completely different environment is very inspiring. Additionally, it is excellent for team building. The entire team gets to know each other on a more personal level, which fosters stronger bonds and even friendships.
Workations highly contribute to attracting and retaining employees in a challenging talent market- it's inspiring, and fosters stronger team bonds up to friendships.
How do you structure your days during the workation in Bali?
This depends on the time difference. We strive to work during Dutch hours (8:30 am – 5:30 pm) since we make numerous outbound calls with Dutch clients and candidates.
In South Africa, there is a minimal time difference of just one hour, which poses no issue. In Bali, however, there is a six-hour time difference. This means we work from 2:00 pm until 11:00 pm, giving our employees the opportunity to go to the gym, visit the beach or go surfing before work. This ensures that they have a high-quality day before starting work.
How did you ensure a work-life balance during the workation?
The work-life balance is perfect. The unique and welcoming environment makes you feel like you're on holiday. Additionally, there are numerous activities available before or after work and Staffinghouse offers various incentives based on employee performance. During the last workation, our employees earned a surf class, a day and night at a beach club and a beautiful dinner at the Kayaputi restaurant.
There are numerous activities available before or after work, and Staffinghouse offers various incentives based on employee performance.
What positive impact has the workation created for Staffinghouse, your employees, and your clients?
It significantly impacts our company culture, performance, and the attraction and retention of employees. As previously mentioned, satisfied employees are more productive. This allows us to deliver better services to our clients and candidates. Therefore, we have consciously chosen to invest in employee satisfaction by organizing these workations.
It significantly impacts our company culture, performance, and the attraction and retention of employees.
How did the team dynamics change during and after the workation?
Like mentioned before: the entire team gets to know each other on a more personal level, which fosters stronger bonds and even friendships. This enhances their collaboration on the work floor.
What were your favorite moments of the workation?
Our favorite moments were the joint dinners we had with whole team. During these dinners we really took a moment to realize what we’ve established during the past 3 years. These were the moments were we were really proud as a team. Other great moments were during work when we got positive reactions from our clients, candidates and also from our followers on LinkedIn.
How do you plan to integrate the experiences and lessons from the workation into your regular work routine?
We believe that by organizing these workations on a yearly basis, we create a company culture where freedom is central. We believe that by giving employees freedom, it encourages a sense of responsibility. At Staffinghouse, we provide all the tools and the environment to perform exceptionally well. This means that we look for employees who take their responsibility seriously and who are eager to work hard.
We believe that by giving employees freedom, it encourages a sense of responsibility.
What were the biggest differences between working in an office environment versus a workation setting?
The biggest differences are the working environment and the temperature. Our Staffing Consultants can still work with the same equipment as they are used to.
Which challenges have you found personally and on a company level?
Providing the right facilities is crucial, similar to our office in Amsterdam. This includes fast internet, extra screens and height-adjustable desks. At Staffinghouse, we believe it is essential to undertake a workation as a team. Personally, given the nature of our work, I am less inclined to support a workation where individuals are spread across the globe. For us, the added value lies in team cohesion and the creativity and productivity that emerge from it. Of course, this can vary by industry.
What are the best tools and strategies for maximizing productivity during team workations, and what advice would you give to other companies considering a workation?
Providing the right facilities is crucial, similar to our office in Amsterdam. This includes fast internet, extra screens and height-adjustable desks.
For us it works very well, not only commercially but also in terms of job satisfaction. At Staffinghouse, this is absolutely one of our core values. If this aligns with the values of your organization, I would highly recommend it. However, if it doesn't, I would advise against it.
And last but definitely not least...
How can one join the next team workation?
At Staffinghouse, we are always looking for new talent to join our team. We currently have multiple openings for Staffing Consultants. If you are interested, please apply via this link. We would be delighted to invite you to our office for a further introduction and to discuss how you can be part of our next team workation.
Are thinking about setting up a company workation, team retreat or offsite?
At Driftawave we help companies with workation packages, customized team retreats and company off sites depending on your wishes and desires. Including all your needs, flight packages or bus/train transport as a sustainable alternative or for a short short workation closer to home.
Schedule a call here, give us a call on +31 6 33 04 7991 or pop us a message through Whatsapp. You can also reach us via info@driftawave.com
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