LSA for team building activities

Building stronger workplace relationships and boosting team morale has never been more important for organizations seeking to create engaged, collaborative workforces. Forma provides flexible benefit solutions that help companies support their employees' professional development and team connection needs through customizable Lifestyle Spending Accounts.

LSA for team building activities: Strengthen workplace bonds while boosting employee engagement

Team building activities funded through LSAs create meaningful opportunities for employees to connect, collaborate, and develop stronger working relationships. These experiences go beyond traditional benefits by actively building the social foundation that drives workplace productivity and job satisfaction.

What is an LSA for team building activities?

An LSA for team building activities is an employer-funded benefit account that allows employees to participate in group experiences designed to strengthen workplace relationships and improve team dynamics. These accounts can cover various collaborative activities, from escape rooms and cooking classes to outdoor adventures and professional development workshops that bring colleagues together outside their typical work environment.

Unlike traditional team building budgets managed by HR departments, LSAs give employees the flexibility to choose activities that resonate with their team's interests and schedules. This approach creates more authentic engagement opportunities while reducing administrative burden on leadership teams.

Can I get an LSA for team building activities with Forma?

Yes, team building activities are typically eligible expenses under most LSA programs, and Forma makes it simple to implement this benefit for your workforce. Team building experiences qualify because they directly support employee wellbeing, professional development, and workplace satisfaction.

Forma's platform allows you to customize your LSA program to include team building activities while maintaining clear guidelines and easy expense management. Our system streamlines the reimbursement process, tracks spending patterns, and provides insights into which activities generate the most employee engagement. This data helps you refine your benefits strategy and maximize the impact of your team building investment.

Why choose an LSA for team building activities?

Flexible activity selection

Employees can choose team building experiences that match their interests and availability, leading to higher participation rates and more genuine engagement compared to mandatory company events.

Improved workplace relationships

Regular team building activities help break down silos between departments and create personal connections that translate into better collaboration on work projects.

Cost-effective employee engagement

LSAs for team building provide measurable ROI through improved retention, higher productivity, and reduced workplace conflicts, making them more valuable than traditional one-size-fits-all corporate events.

Enhanced company culture

Teams that regularly engage in shared experiences outside work develop stronger bonds and contribute to a more positive, collaborative workplace environment.

How does an LSA for team building activities work?

Step 1: Employer funds the accounts

Your organization allocates a specific dollar amount per employee or team for team building activities, which gets loaded into their LSA accounts at the beginning of each benefit period.

Step 2: Employees plan their activities

Teams can coordinate to select activities that work for their schedules and interests, whether that's a cooking class, escape room challenge, or outdoor adventure experience.

Step 3: Purchase and submit expenses

Employees pay for approved team building activities and submit receipts through Forma's user-friendly platform for quick reimbursement processing.

Step 4: Track engagement and impact

Forma's reporting tools help you monitor which activities are most popular and measure the program's impact on employee satisfaction and team cohesion.

What are the benefits of an LSA for team building activities?

Stronger cross-departmental collaboration

Team building activities help employees from different departments build relationships that improve communication and cooperation on future projects.

Reduced employee turnover

Employees who feel connected to their colleagues are more likely to stay with the company, reducing recruitment and training costs associated with high turnover.

Increased employee satisfaction scores

Regular team building opportunities contribute to higher engagement survey results and improved workplace happiness metrics.

Better problem-solving capabilities

Teams that have built trust through shared experiences are more effective at working through challenges and finding creative solutions together.

Enhanced workplace communication

Team building activities help employees develop better interpersonal skills and communication patterns that benefit daily work interactions.

Transform your workplace culture with team building LSAs

Team building activities funded through LSAs represent a strategic investment in your organization's most valuable asset: your people. By giving employees the flexibility to choose meaningful experiences that strengthen their professional relationships, you're building a foundation for improved collaboration, higher retention, and increased productivity.

The benefits extend far beyond the activities themselves. Teams that regularly connect through shared experiences develop the trust and communication skills that drive business success. This approach to employee benefits demonstrates your commitment to creating a workplace where people genuinely want to contribute their best work.

Frequently asked questions about LSAs for team building activities

What types of team building activities are eligible for LSA reimbursement?

Most interactive group experiences qualify for LSA reimbursement, including escape rooms, cooking classes, outdoor adventures, professional development workshops, volunteer activities, and recreational sports leagues. The key requirement is that activities must involve multiple team members and contribute to workplace relationship building. Similar to how sports league fees are eligible when they involve colleagues, team building activities need to have a clear connection to workplace collaboration and employee wellbeing.

How much should we budget per employee for team building LSAs?

Most organizations allocate between $200-$800 per employee annually for team building activities, depending on company size and budget priorities. This amount typically covers 2-4 team building experiences per year. Consider starting with a modest allocation and adjusting based on employee participation rates and feedback. Remember that this investment often pays for itself through improved retention and productivity.

Can remote teams use LSAs for virtual team building activities?

Absolutely. Virtual team building activities are fully eligible for LSA reimbursement, including online escape rooms, virtual cooking classes, remote game tournaments, and digital collaboration workshops. These activities are particularly valuable for distributed teams that need creative ways to build connections. The same principles apply whether teams are gathering in person or connecting virtually.

How do we ensure team building activities align with our company values?

Work with Forma to establish clear guidelines for eligible activities that reflect your organization's culture and values. You can create approved vendor lists, set spending categories, or establish criteria that activities must meet. For example, if wellness is a core value, you might prioritize activities that combine team building with physical activity. This approach ensures your LSA program supports both employee engagement and organizational goals.

What happens if employees don't use their team building LSA funds?

Unused LSA funds typically follow your organization's rollover policy, which you can customize based on your benefits strategy. Some companies allow funds to roll over to encourage long-term team building planning, while others use a "use it or lose it" approach to drive immediate engagement. Forma's platform provides spending analytics to help you understand usage patterns and adjust your policy to maximize employee participation.