[delichon]

I resent such spending for the most part, as cheap psyops. A few official beers or pizzas do not have a salient morale effect on a team that works together all day, at least in my experience. Neither do cute Slack callouts or Employees of the Month. For me, even a significant cash bonus is a cheap shortcut compared to the actual signal of appreciation of an actual raise. It's my salary that makes me feel like a valued team member, not a slice of cold pepperoni.

[glhaynes]

I look at such things similarly, and have never felt like "team building exercises" were particularly valuable. I'm working with these people on the products we build for hours every day; I don't need to do an escape room with them to "team build".

That said, I have to recognize that this may be partially because of my personality. I don't "do great" at mixers like this. I'd rather go home and be with my family than drink beer—regardless of label—in a corporate setting. People describe me as charismatic and engaging one-on-one, but I'm awkward and unhappy at a big crowd event.

But there are other people whom I think get a lot of value and connections out of them! So it's kinda hard for me to say.

Downgrades in quality, though, stick out like a sore thumb. "I didn't really like going to these things before, but at least they had good beer." It can also be a real "it's the thought that counts" sort of thing. When you show me that you're willing to spend less on me, it sends a signal, sometimes stronger than if you'd never spent anything on me in the first place.

[zippyman55]

The team building seems fun the first time but then you start seeing the same stuff year after year and it gets so old.

[RobotToaster]

The issue is companies are getting too stingy for even cheap psyops now.

[moate]

The fear of the guillotine has been lost...