Pointing the way: away-days don't have to be compasses and assault courses. Photograph: David Sillitoe
It's the email whose very title sends a collective groan around offices the length and breadth of the country. Headed "Employee away day", it has the ability to strike fear into any worker's heart, conjuring up images of Krypton Factor-esque puzzles or wet and windy assault courses in the deepest, darkest countryside. But banish those thoughts for just a moment, for there may be a saviour on the horizon.
A new trend for combining corporate social responsibility goals with team-building exercises means organisations are increasingly sending employees to the developing world where they work together to complete "challenges", such as building much-needed housing for the world's poor.
More appealing than orienteering in the Lake District? Or just another opportunity for corporate bunnies to go on a jolly, no matter how worthy the aim?
Community Challenge is an organisation that works with non-governmental organisations Action Aid and Habitat for Humanity to send individuals and corporate groups to a range of destinations including Nepal, South Africa, Cambodia, China and India.
Across the Divide also offer similar opportunities, with past trips including rebuilding a school in Brazil. Of course, away days abroad are nothing new - companies like Action Days offer It's a Knockout in Rome and team building in the Algarve - but the charitable element has taken the exercise to a different level.
What is your experience of the dreaded away day? And do you think these overseas exercises help with team building, or just give HR departments an excuse for a trip abroad?
