At A/E firms, employees spend hours together every day discussing project-related matters- and why wouldn't they? It's their job! But, as a firm leader, it is part of your job to create an environment in which your employees will thrive as peers as well as co-workers, and organizing informal, out-of-work bonding opportunities is the perfect way to make that happen.

This is especially true in small firms with fewer employees working in one or two offices. It's easy to rally everyone around the concepts of unity and teamwork, especially when you throw some fun into the equation.

Whether you take your employees to a sporting event, hold summer picnics for them and their families, or simply take time out of the workday to unwind and eat lunch together, your employees will feel more in touch with one another and with you, leading to happier employees, higher retention rates, and better work.

Richard O'Connell, president of R.J. O'Connell & Associates (Stoneham, MA), a 30-person civil engineering and land planning firm, says that informal bonding events are "invaluable" to the firm.

"You need to know some things about the guy you're working next to all day, but the typical office environment does not always provide a good format for this," O'Connell says. "External office gatherings, either formal or informal and impromptu, provide the best relaxed venue to get to know one another and bond. In addition, we find there is an amazing amount of project-related information also being exchanged."

The firm organizes regular lunch get-togethers every Friday. Since these pay-as-you-go lunches take place at the same time and same place each week, "those who can make it show up, and those who can't don't. This way, we spend no time organizing the event," O'Connell says. Employees have the chance to discuss work and non-work issues, at no cost to the company.

Summer outings are a little more formal but provide employees the same opportunity to get to know one another. A small committee starts planning these outings three months in advance, O'Connell says. "We plan them around the family, so we go to a swimming pool, a softball field, or throw horseshoes, and the rest plans itself."

The firm also holds an annual reunion of current and past employees, plans a holiday party that typically includes dinner and a show for employees and guests, and sends employees to sporting events on short notice when tickets become available. "Since New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox tickets are tough to come by, we look to hockey or maybe minor league baseball," O'Connell says. "This way, we can open it up to the families as well."

Informal events can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per employee, but O'Connell says those costs are insignificant compared to the benefits to the firm.

O'Connell estimates that attendance is 75% or better for these informal events. "We always have a majority of the attendees either thank us personally or via a nice e-mail," he says. "I think the employees also see the value and appreciate that we take the time and expense to provide the bonding opportunity."

Gary Orazio, president of Swanson Rink, Inc. (Denver, CO), a 50-person firm offering mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting, security, and technology systems engineering services, says that his firm aims to offer employees a variety of activities.

Most informal events start an hour to 90 minutes before normal quitting time, although some take place in the morning or at lunchtime, and are typically held once a month.

These events have included themed happy hours on the patio, pool tournaments, golf, volleyball, morning breakfasts, Tamale Thursday, an annual Mexican lunch, and organized lunches that include up to four employees and a member of senior management.

Orazio says that it's important to make sure these events are convenient to the busy employees who wish to attend them. "A close location is a key criterion when the events are planned," he says. "We have very good attendance for all events that are either on site or within walking distance."

As for the costs, Orazio agrees with O'Connell. "It ranges depending on the event, but it can be summarized as insignificant relative to the benefits obtained," he says.

The benefits, he says, are those that any A/E firm might hope to achieve in a competitive market. "This business is very deadline-driven. Anything that can be done to reduce stress levels will help morale and long-term retention," Orazio says.- RACHEL LEBEAUX (rlebeaux@zweigwhite.com)

Tactical Toolbox

Remember these tips when considering informal, out-of-work bonding events in your small A/E firm:

• They don't have to cost you an arm and a leg. Don't feel like you have a lot of money to spend on informal events? No problem! Pay-as-you-go lunches or getting together for a game of hoops or a weekend hike all qualify as bonding time.
• Make sure you are planning events employees are interested in. Following an event, casually ask employees what they thought or what they would like to do next time.
• Include family members and friends and encourage non-work discussion. Knowing more about one another's lives outside of work will likely engender a more comfortable, trusting, and productive work environment.

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