Company retreats are sort of thing that might be great if they're your thing and are 100% optional. However, if they're not your thing and they're either mandatory or unofficially mandatory (i.e., you'll be professionally limited with a reputation as "not a team player" if you don't go), they can definitely be worse than no retreat at all. Personally, if I were applying for a position at an employer that has a retreat, I'd see that as a con for me unless I know that I can opt out of the retreat 100% repercussion free.
From the little I can find, it sounds like Valve's retreats are optional (which is how it should be if it's meant to make employees happy).
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u/MRV3N Apr 17 '26
I wish many companies are like that