Sharing hotel room with co-worker

sebtomato

Hi,

I work for a very profitable company. However, they have decided that people will have to share hotel rooms when going away on training courses.

They are showing no flexibility whatsoever, nor even accepting to pay for half the cost of an individual room.

I am very uncomfortable with this (sharing some room with co-worker I hardly know), so would like to understand if they can force me to do so.

Surely, my employer cannot decide what I do after work hours, during my private time.

Thanks,
S.

Takeaway_Addict

sebtomato wrote: »

Hi,

I work for a very profitable company. However, they have decided that people will have to share hotel rooms when going away on training courses.

They are showing no flexibility whatsoever, nor even accepting to pay for half the cost of an individual room.

I am very uncomfortable with this (sharing some room with co-worker I hardly know), so would like to understand if they can force me to do so.

Surely, my employer cannot decide what I do after work hours, during my private time.

Thanks,
S.

If you're wanting them to pay for half of a single room will they still not be paying for a room for two people for the other person?

Tigsteroonie

Your option would be to call the establishment, book for and pay for your own room.

Genuinely I don't know the answer to the question. I'm just grateful my employer has policies that state we must all have an individual en-suite room. Perhaps my employer is worried about the repercussions of sharing

sebtomato

To be honest, I don't think I should be paying anything at all to attend some company training.

It's usually a group of people going, as opposed to just two, and not always an even number anyway, so my offer to pay for half of the room cost is reasonable.

sebtomato

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Your option would be to call the establishment, book for and pay for your own room.

Indeed, but we are not talking a couple of nights, but a full week. Surely, I shouldn't be forced to pay for my own room (and have privacy during off work hours).

xapprenticex

The pretty strange forcing people to share a room.

martinthebandit

xapprenticex wrote: »

The pretty strange forcing people to share a room.

It's not that long ago that it used to be the norm.

Not sure what the OP can do about it though.

Tigsteroonie

sebtomato wrote: »

Indeed, but we are not talking a couple of nights, but a full week. Surely, I shouldn't be forced to pay for my own room (and have privacy during off work hours).

No, but if you don't want to confront your employer and debate the issue, it's a solution.

Lorian

I'd never consider this having been the norm.

> they have decided that people will have to share hotel rooms when going away on training courses

who decided? Find your company's expense policy and see what it actually says.

Personally I wouldn't even share with my closest colleague with whom I get on really well, and I'm sure they'd feel the same.

happyc84

No way this should happen. I'd check your travel policy. Totally out of date - asking people to share.

it used to happen in the 70's. Think back to Planes trains and automobiles.

melanzana

I wouldn't care or give out or have a rant TBH. It is what it is, and if you want your privacy well then you will have to pay for your own single occupancy room.

I do not understand how the company will not meet you halfway though, that is pants.

I was often in your shoes, and bit the bullet for my privacy and sanity. Whew, it was wonderful. The price was well worth it.

Surely you are entitled to travelling expenses. That's the way it worked for me. A certain amount for sharing, that was given, and if you wanted your own room you paid the balance. Fair enough.

Have you spoken to HR? What if the balance is not all female/female or male/male? Just not right IMV.

I would object, and demand payment for some of the charge for staying on my own.

Best of luck.