Hanging Out With Co-Workers

[Tulip]

So I am at work and someone comes up with the "great" idea to have a day of togetherness at a co-worker's farm. There are eight of us in this group and the last thing I want to do is spend an entire weekend day with them. I like them and everything but I see them enough.

Why do they want to spend so much time together? Do you think they really enjoy it? Or are they doing it for some other reason? I can't figure it out.

 

[Sunshine 1528]

I think some people actually work to have a social life and some just have to be friends with everyone who is in their life.

Me, I pretty much don't do anything with my coworkers but a few of them it seems like they have to catch up on the latest not only at work but go out together on the weekends and work out together.

Socially we are all different and maybe you are more like me?

Have you been there long? Being able to socialize to an extent is good because it makes it easier from a teamwork standpoint. Sometimes it makes it harder because if you are too friendly then work doesn't always get done like it should and people are afraid to make waves with their "friends".

It can go both ways. How do things typically go where you work? For me, I believe people should work when they are there - we have many who don't get their jobs done, make loads of mistakes or are too busy with their personal lives to pay attention to what they should be. I am one of the biggest sticklers where I am and have to follow upper managements views on the culture. Funny how they "culture" is being reeled in and tightened up at this point though. I have been waiting for years and years. What really bothers me is my retirement is based upon how others do their work since we are 2/3 owners of the company. The bigger the bottom line, the bigger contribution to my retirement and the more the stock is worth.

They can socialize and take care of family matters on breaks, at lunch and after work.

OK - TMI probably, but that is what I view where I am.

 

[andtckrtoo]

I agree. After work I want to spend time with my family and friends outside of work, unless I am close to someone. My opinion is that the occasional dinner is fine, but if you really want to have a team building exercise or get to know one another as a team, do it during working hours. If it's so important that you have to have a whole day together, you ought to at least get paid for it. But I guess some departments are indispensible at the office. I'm in sales - a day without us is like heaven for most departments.

Of course, there are people at my office with whom I would happily spend a weekend day with. But that would also include my spouse and involve something I actually WANT to do. :+