retrouver vs rencontrer

That's a very interesting question, Earl!

Although they already know each other, it sounds a bit too 'matey' to use in a professional context.

Using it with a boss (Je retrouve mon patron) wouldn't be wrong grammatically, but it signals familiarity that might feel out of place depending on the workplace culture, particularly when dealing with the question of a long absence from work.

 

So it's just a question of register here.

Bonne Continuation !