From casual fun to cultural glue, summer socials, hobby groups, and team bonding are no longer just feel-good extras. They’re emerging as powerful drivers of engagement, wellbeing and retention. Here’s how to harness them effectively.
As summer rolls in, many workplaces are planning picnics, games, team lunches or after-work drinks. Traditionally seen as light-hearted perks, these moments of connection have often sat outside the core employee benefits offering.
But that mindset is shifting. In a world of hybrid work, employee burnout and rising demand for inclusive cultures, organisations are starting to treat social and interest-based activities as essential components of their people strategy.
Forward-thinking HR and reward leaders are re-evaluating these initiatives, not to simply fill calendars, but to boost wellbeing, create belonging, and foster meaningful employee relationships.
Why connection should count as a benefit
When employees feel connected to their colleagues, their work, and the company, they’re more engaged, loyal and resilient. But hybrid models mean organic, everyday interactions are less frequent, making intentional connections more important than ever.
Only 1 in 10 UK employees currently feel engaged at work, according to Gallup - one of the lowest rates globally. Yet the potential upside is clear. Research by Reward Gateway (2023 Workplace Connection Report) found that well-connected teams were:
- 27% more productive
- 43% more resilient
- 38% better on wellbeing metrics
The link between connection and employee satisfaction is just as strong. A survey by Mitie found that 89% of employees who were satisfied with their workplace also felt happy with their employer, compared to just 23% of those who weren’t.
How to position social and hobby-based activities as a genuine benefit
To make connection feel like a core part of your employee value proposition rather than a “nice-to-have”, here’s how to approach it with intention:
- Weave it into your benefits messaging
Present social, wellbeing and hobby-based activities as a defined part of your benefits offering. Frame them as employer-supported, inclusive, and accessible to all, not just a calendar add-on.
- Prioritise choice and inclusivity
Not everyone wants to join a five-a-side or hit the pub. A meaningful programme might include creative clubs, book groups, gardening, cooking sessions, mindfulness classes, volunteering opportunities or outdoor walks alongside classic socials.
- Design for inclusion
Be mindful of different lifestyles, comfort levels, and cultural norms. Avoid assuming employees drink or are free after hours. Instead, ask for input and design around the diverse needs and interests of your workforce.
- Enable self-led connection
Some employers offer a flexible allowance or platform credit that lets people join or start their own hobby-based group, empowering employees to connect with colleagues in ways that feel natural to them.
- Reflect your values
Choose activities that reflect your organisation’s culture and priorities. If sustainability is a key value, consider volunteering days with green charities or eco-projects. If innovation drives your culture, offer creative hackathons or maker workshops. This reinforces authenticity and purpose.
- Track impact and share stories
Measure engagement, gather feedback, and highlight success stories — especially where connection boosts mental health, collaboration or retention. This helps build a case for sustained investment and cultural alignment.
Why summer is the time to start
Summer offers a natural moment to reframe connection as a strategic benefit. People are more open to getting outdoors, meeting colleagues and trying new things, making it easier to launch or reinvigorate these initiatives.
But this isn’t just about summer socials. With hybrid working here to stay, inclusive connection is becoming a must-have year-round. Done well, these programmes build belonging, loyalty and pride - key drivers of engagement and long-term retention.
So instead of asking, “What’s our next team activity?”, ask:
“What kind of connections do we want to create — and how can we embed them as a lasting benefit for everyone?”
When connection is treated as a true part of the benefits package, employees respond with greater trust, stronger commitment, and more meaningful contributions.
How FlexGenius helps employers foster connection
FlexGenius makes it easy to offer connection-driven benefits that reflect your culture and engage a diverse workforce. With tools to support flexible social and wellbeing allowances, self-selected interest groups, volunteering, and hobby-based benefits, all within one platform, we help you turn everyday moments into meaningful employee experiences.
Whether you're funding group activities, personal passions, or shared values, FlexGenius gives employees the freedom to connect in ways that feel authentic to them while giving you the data and control to track impact and drive engagement.
Connection isn’t just a nice-to-have. With FlexGenius, it becomes a strategic advantage.
For more information or to see how FlexGenius can help you build a connected workforce, book a demo today.
For further information, please email enquiries@avantus.co.uk or call 0800 652 4745.
