Attending a training course

lady1964

Hi All,

I've very recently started a new job and today I got notification that I have to attend a course. No problem there but the course I have to attend is a 2/2.5 hour drive away, meaning I will have to get up at 5am to get ready/eat to leave by 6am to get there by 8.30. Consequently, I won't get home until around 7pm all being well. I did ask if I could attend the same course closer to home but as it's 'in house' trainers (for a First Aid course) I've been told they would prefer me to attend at the specified location.

In terms of cost, although if it's in house, there will be either no charge or a minimal one, they will have to pay my travel costs & parking which will work out at around £100. I found the same course less than a mile from my home for £132.

I could get the train for half the expenses but I would still have to get up around 5am, get a taxi to the station for a train at 6am, then assuming the course finishes on time, get a train that won't get me home until 8pm.

I would like to appeal this & present a case for attending the course nearer home as I feel as well that me getting up at 5am will not be conducive to learning, and then driving home I will be very tired. The costs to the company are quite high and when you factor in the lieu time for travelling of around 4 hours, maybe nearer 5, surely it's more cost effective for me to attend the course nearer home.

What are your opinions please? Am I being unreasonable and if so, why and if not, how would you build your case?

Thanks for reading!

jfdi

Just suck it up.

It may be more cost effective to do it nearer home, but your NEW employers want you to do this one.

browneyedbazzi

If you've already asked about attending a course closer to home and they've said they would prefer you to attend the one they've outlined then in your situation I would follow their preference. 'Building a case' and pushing the issue will put a great big target on your back which isn't very wise in the early days with a new employer.

ohreally

Is this to enable you to be a workplace first aider or is it simply a generic first aid cert? Are you required to hold this cert to carry out your duties - if not I'd raise the reasonableness aspect of their preference and ask if they would consider deferring until it can be convened at a closer venue at some point in the near future?

If your car isn't reliable for a 200m trip will they get you to the venue?

Since you depart so early and return later, I'd ask about a subsistance allowance.

Andy_L

If its a generic H&S 1st aid at work course, as oposed to something job specific, then they are being bufoons however, as said, do you really want to be rocking the boat this early.

Do they have a staff handbook giving their policy on travel & subsistance? If you're feeling really brave you could ask about a hotel for the night before

lady1964

The course is job specific so I know I have to attend.

I honestly don't want to put myself in an awkward position and I understand that it's a new job and I'm not wanting to put a black mark against myself at all.

My car is reliable and will do the 200 miles no problem and I have thought about going there the night before if I can get a Travelodge or similar for a reasonable cost and I've also thought about asking if they would consider paying, however, that will bump the overall cost up, making it even less cost effective. I hadn't thought about a subsistance allowanc but I doubt very much if they will pay. I know I have to take my own lunch to the venue.

I may ask if they will cover the cost of the taxi to the station (around £5) and get the train as it will be around £60 instead of the £100 if I drive. I would still have to get up very early but I won't be as tired by going on the train. I'd have to look at getting from the train station to the venue & back or if it's within walking distance that would still allow me to get there on time.

Thanks for the opinions, much appreciated.

flutterbyuk25

You should attend the course they have asked you to go to, especially as it's a new job. If it is specific to your role then it may cover different things than the other course you have found.

People often have to travel far for work courses/meetings etc. I've had to go to Birmingham for a 90minute meeting, which meant an 8.5hour return journey by train!!

My workplace would cover the cost of getting there - trains/taxi etc plus provide a meal allowance.

SueC_2

How long is the course?

If one day, really, just do what they're asking you to do. Sometimes you have to pick your battles in life.

If more than one day, ask them if they'll put you up in a budget hotel / B&B on the 'between' nights. This would work out more cost effective for them, and relieve you of the pressure of the commute - everyone's a winner.

Sambucus_Nigra

Are you getting reasonable fuel expenses ie at 45p per mile?

£180 in the bank after £100 expense makes it worth it for a 13 hour day. I used to do 13 hour days all the time, just make sure you take a travel mug of coffee before you go, and full it back up again with their coffee before you leave. In fact with the extra £80 you could get your own B&B, which is something I often do if I have ridiculous long days and I know what expenses are due back to me.

thefishdude

if they have set a course and you have all ready asked to do one closer and they said no, then you need to do teh course they have set. is it really soo hard getting early i would imagine any more "case building" and requests to do a clsoer course will no not go down well and im pretty sure your actions regarding this would be remember in the future.

williacg

If it was a course that you had to attend regularly, say twice a week, for a lengthy period, then I could understand your concerns, however, it's a one off event, whch may or may not need to be updated every couple of years or so, is that really such a great hardship or unreasonable on their part? We all have to attend meetings or training courses at some point, some more local than others, it's just one of those things.

Your request for the venue to be changed to a location more convenient to you has been refused, do you really want to kick-start your employment with them on a negative note?

Make sure that you put in for any expenses that you can claim for.