Having to work in London more than I'd like

jmd4eva

The company I work for was acquired last year. The new contract states my place of work as our current office, and I was doing 1 day a week in the London office.

However, my new manager now is asking me to work two days in London... a 2 hour train either way and 30 mins either side - so in total 6 hours travel each time I go up.

They pay for my train travel, and if I want to stay over they pay for the hotel and expenses too. When I travel up, I'm on the train at 7 or 7.30 and leaving the office between 4 and 5 to get back home at anytime between 6.30 and 8pm.

But I don't want to lose two evenings a week - losing one evening is bad enough, two is just too much. Not getting paid enough for this is one thing, but losing two evenings of my week is too much...

So, what do I do? Compromise, but how?

Funky_Bold_Ribena

jmd4eva wrote: »

The company I work for was acquired last year. The new contract states my place of work as our current office, and I was doing 1 day a week in the London office.

However, my new manager now is asking me to work two days in London... a 2 hour train either way and 30 mins either side - so in total 6 days travel each time I go up.

They pay for my train travel, and if I want to stay over they pay for the hotel and expenses too. When I travel up, I'm on the train at 7 or 7.30 and leaving the office between 4 and 5 to get back home at anytime between 6.30 and 8pm.

But I don't want to lose two evenings a week - losing one evening is bad enough, two is just too much. Not getting paid enough for this is one thing, but losing two evenings of my week is too much...

So, what do I do? Compromise, but how?

6 days travel? Eh?

A 2 hour train journey either way twice a week?

I think you really should be looking at this objectively. What are your options?

jmd4eva

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

6 days travel? Eh?

A 2 hour train journey either way twice a week?

I think you really should be looking at this objectively. What are your options?

6 hours travel I mean, every time I go up.

My options, as I see it, are:

• Only go once a week, twice a week on special occasions
• Do the 2 days a week and miss out on two evenings worth of family time
• Something inbetween?

cr1mson

Is it an option to stay over and condense 2 days work into a day and a half so you can return home on second day at lunchtime getting back early?

jmd4eva

cr1mson wrote: »

Is it an option to stay over and condense 2 days work into a day and a half so you can return home on second day at lunchtime getting back early?

No... the staying up option is get to the office for 10am, work until 6pm, stay over, in the office for 8 and leave at 4 - train at 4.35/5.05 then home at 7/7.30...

FBaby

Could you stay overnight, but agree to go in late (and work late) and start early, so you can go home early in day 2? and try to push to do this only every other week (with only one day the other one).

FBaby

Same thought same time

cr1mson

jmd4eva wrote: »

No... the staying up option is get to the office for 10am, work until 6pm, stay over, in the office for 8 and leave at 4 - train at 4.35/5.05 then home at 7/7.30...

But couldn't you stay later on Day 1?

Tiddlywinks

What time do you get home when you have been to London? You said it could be anywhere from 6.30pm to 8pm - that's a big difference - what factors into the times? When you say you don't want to miss family time then what would this involve?

Is this travel going to be long term or for a particular shorter period?

What is the reason for your manager wanting you to be in London for 2 days?

I am also voting for going to London for 2 days in a row and working late on first day and then ask to leave early on day 2 as a trade-off.

How about talking with your manager about condensing the hours on the trip to minimise impact on your family life... have you had this conversation / do you think your manager would be receptive?

I do regular long train journeys and use that time to relax - I snooze or read and have a cup of coffee - this way, I don't get so tired from the longer days... how are you using the 2 hour (each way) train trips? Are you getting paid for the extra travel time?

Could you use that time to your advantage?

Dunroamin

Why not look at it as being given a free night in London, many people would jump at it!

Savvy_Sue

Can you make positive suggestions to your manager about how to achieve what's required in these trips without you needing to be there? The cost savings of Skype calls / video conferencing, for example.

I'd say it was quite important to understand WHY your manager wants you there ...