Work Location Drama

mimi1234

Hi all,

I have a question for you. I started my current job about 2 years ago. The contract I signed is the same as everyone else in my team. We do not have a base and we have to work at 2 different locations as and when required. The rest of the team have been there since inception of the team which was 9 years ago. So I am the newbie so to speak.

I have 2 people in my immediate team. Team member X lives near location A and prefers to work in location A. Team member Z lives in location B and prefers to work in location B. I also live near location A and prefer to work in location A.

Over the last few months, I have noticed that I am the only one who is sent to both locations, on average, 9 to 10 times a month. Team member Z has to travel to the other location about once a month. Team member X NEVER travels to the other location.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind the travelling if it was done fairly, but it isn't. Everyone signed the same contract and we are all expected to work in both locations. The person who has to travel effectively loses an hour to get to the other office and an hour to get back, so that's 2 hours of travel in their own time. As I am sent the most, I end up losing out on a considerable amount of time.

Team member X does not have any medical issues as to why he can't travel and when I discussed it with him in passing, he simply said "I can't be asked travelling so I tell her no". Her being the manager.

Team member X is quite aggressive and will throw his toys out of the pram if he does not get his way and threaten to quit. He is also the one on the highest pay scale in my immediate team.

I am going to bring this up at my next 1 2 1 with my manager, but I already know what they will say. I have a feeling they will go down the "he is most experienced so we have to keep him happy", "you don't have any children", "people like you in both offices", "he has said he will quit if he has to go to other office" blah blah blah.

I've also decided I will contact the union if my manager tries to skim over the issue.

Has anyone else had an issue like this and how did it pan out? Am I doing the right thing?

PS. There is someone else who works in another team who I know. His wife died not too long ago, he has young children and he has a lot of illnesses as well. He signed the same contract as me. He lives in location A like me but has to travel to location B twice a week.

tomtontom

There is no obligation on the employer to allocate duties at the second location evenly or fairly. By all means mention it but think about the potential consequences beforehand - it has the potential to make you very unpopular.

Takeaway_Addict

mimi1234 wrote: »

Hi all,

I have a question for you. I started my current job about 2 years ago. The contract I signed is the same as everyone else in my team. We do not have a base and we have to work at 2 different locations as and when required. The rest of the team have been there since inception of the team which was 9 years ago. So I am the newbie so to speak.

I have 2 people in my immediate team. Team member X lives near location A and prefers to work in location A. Team member Z lives in location B and prefers to work in location B. I also live near location A and prefer to work in location A.

Over the last few months, I have noticed that I am the only one who is sent to both locations, on average, 9 to 10 times a month. Team member Z has to travel to the other location about once a month. Team member X NEVER travels to the other location.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind the travelling if it was done fairly, but it isn't. Everyone signed the same contract and we are all expected to work in both locations. The person who has to travel effectively loses an hour to get to the other office and an hour to get back, so that's 2 hours of travel in their own time. As I am sent the most, I end up losing out on a considerable amount of time.

Team member X does not have any medical issues as to why he can't travel and when I discussed it with him in passing, he simply said "I can't be asked travelling so I tell her no". Her being the manager.

Team member X is quite aggressive and will throw his toys out of the pram if he does not get his way and threaten to quit. He is also the one on the highest pay scale in my immediate team.

I am going to bring this up at my next 1 2 1 with my manager, but I already know what they will say. I have a feeling they will go down the "he is most experienced so we have to keep him happy", "you don't have any children", "people like you in both offices", "he has said he will quit if he has to go to other office" blah blah blah.

I've also decided I will contact the union if my manager tries to skim over the issue.

Has anyone else had an issue like this and how did it pan out? Am I doing the right thing?

PS. There is someone else who works in another team who I know. His wife died not too long ago, he has young children and he has a lot of illnesses as well. He signed the same contract as me. He lives in location A like me but has to travel to location B twice a week.

So...where have they broken the law?

panika

In my workplace, we all have in our contract, "traveling between different locations" part. People, who usually drive in other places have money returned per mileage, also allowed extra time to travel. They have to register their driver licence and vehicle with workplace. Usually they live near location they travel to, so it works for them. It has been that way long before I joined.

So far i haven't been asked to travel or register my DL. Maybe it is worth to mention to manager to have it done more fairly, but if it has been like that for ages, they may just stick with rules (arrangements), which most of employees are happy with.

Takeaway_Addict

No_hit_Sherlock wrote: »

i dont see where they asked or said they have broken the law?

You are correct, so possibly my question should have been

What are the employer doing wrong that you could enforce them to change?

mimi1234

I don't think they are breaking the law at all. I just want it done more fairly, so if there are 15 slots where people have to travel, we should all get 5 each.

I understand that I might be unpopular if I talk about it, but such is life. I don't see any reason why it can't be done fairly.

My only concern is that if I try throwing my toys out of the pram and threaten to leave, they will most likely tell me go ahead and sod off.

The only thing I have over team member X is that I am a lot younger and take to technology whereas he just shuns it, digs his heels in and says he will not use it. For example, mobile phones and the sort. But then he has a lot of years of experience and is a pro at the job whereas I am still learning.

I guess I will just have to mention it to the manager and see what she says.

asajj

By all means mention it but not threaten them. You could perhaps word it such a way that you are aware that you are asked to travel more and you think while it is unfair, if job requires it, you will do it.

agrinnall

The unfairness seems to be that you are the only one having to give up 2 hours of your own time on each occasion that you're asked (told) to work at the other location. I personally don't think that's acceptable, and if they won't spread the load evenly between the three of you then they should be paying you both for you time and for the cost of travel. Once you have completed 2 years service I would raise this as a way forward, and if they refuse then do partly as your colleagues do and simply refuse to go 2 out of 3 times. And join a union so that you have some support if things turn a bit nasty.