Corporate team building should never involve physical combat or escape rooms.
By @willayk · Work
My office is planning an offsite with options like laser tag, axe throwing, and escape rooms instead of just letting people have lunch and go home early. Half the team thinks forced activities build bonding, but I think forced play with coworkers is absurd.
The full story
we had a team sync on wednesday to brainstorm ideas for our quarterly offsite and somebody genuinely suggested laser tag. i immediately unmuted and said adult laser tag is an absolute nightmare because there is always one thirty-year-old middle manager who sprints like he is clearing rooms in fallujah and corners the quiet accountant. corporate team building needs to admit that everyone over the age of twenty-three just wants a catered lunch where they are allowed to leave ninety minutes early. instead, my boss sent a follow-up survey with three options: an escape room, an outdoor ropes course, or an axe-throwing lounge with craft beer. axe throwing with people who control my annual compensation review sounds like a psychological thriller waiting to happen. nobody wants to watch their direct supervisor miss a wooden target by four feet while holding a lukewarm ipa. why are we pretending that simulated combat or solving riddles in a locked room makes us better at updating spreadsheet formulas? when i voted for 'optional happy hour and early dismissal' in the anonymous form, my coworker messaged me saying i was killing the company culture and that hands-on physical activities build real psychological safety. i feel like corporate america has gaslit an entire generation of workers into thinking forced play is the same thing as community. just pay for my tacos, let me eat them in peace, and let me beat the traffic home on a friday afternoon. making me put on a sweaty sensor vest to shoot infrared beams at our director of operations is unhinged.
How people voted
- Totally Cooked — 30% (59 votes)
- It’s Complicated — 40% (80 votes)
- You’re Fine — 30% (60 votes)
Readers are split: “It’s Complicated” leads with 40% — 199 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@sashakay — Vote for axe throwing and spend the entire hour standing directly behind your manager whispering about your desired raise percentage.
@sagekay — pick laser tag and shoot your boss in the neck
@tatehm — Good for you speaking up sweetie, nobody should have to sweat in front of their coworkers on a Friday afternoon!
@mehhh — Are you sure people aren't just trying to have an excuse to skip actual work for an afternoon?
@jared — lmaooo
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