According to the latest research by Center Parcs Conferences & Events, 68% of employees specifically request screen-free digital relaxation during corporate events. The study, which surveyed 2,000 British employees, highlights that the rise of hybrid working has been accompanied by a significant increase in demand for close-to-nature experiences: 63% of workers find outdoor events more appealing, while one in four respondents (25%) feel that current event formats do not meet these expectations. According to Julia Green, head of the organization, employees are tired of “check-box” events that are presentation-focused and held in closed conference rooms. The research highlights a sharp contrast between desires and reality: although demand is high, 31% of employees do not spend any time outdoors with their colleagues, and 53% spend less than an hour a month outside with their colleagues. The average is 122 minutes per month, which is roughly equivalent to the duration of a single long meeting. At the regional level, the desire to disconnect from technology is strongest in London (75%) and the West Midlands (73%), reflecting the digital saturation caused by the urban environment. An interesting contradiction can be observed when it comes to generations: members of Generation Z are the ones who most desire outdoor events, yet they spend the least amount of time outdoors with their colleagues (an average of 105 minutes per month), lagging behind Generation X (128 minutes) and millennials (124 minutes). The study concludes that companies should organize more conscious team-building programs in natural environments that help employees refresh their minds in order to prevent burnout and promote genuine connections between colleagues (C&IT).
