Opinions sought - weekend travel

NewShadow

Afternoon all,

Some time ago my boss and I agreed it would be useful for me to go on a training course as there was a skill gap in the team.

The course would be full time for 5 days and was normally held residentially.

When we agreed, the expectation was that the course would be held in my home city and I would have the option of staying on the campus or traveling home at the end of the day to sleep in my own bed.

The course was approved and booked with the training company contacting everyone interested in batches according to ability level to confirm the arrangements.

About a month ago we found out that my level would be taking place roughly 180 miles away - my manager and I discussed it and I agreed I would be able to attend from Monday to Friday as I have a friend who works locally who can pop in and sit with the cats/check the place is still standing.

The training unit contacted me today and indicated the expectation was that my cohort would travel up on the Friday evening for the course to start on the Monday morning.

From what I can read between the lines, this is because if we travel on a Sunday - for 8 hours - we get double time or double flexi but the cost of our food and accommodation for the Friday/Saturday/Sunday would be covered by the training centre - a net saving for work.

I haven't replied yet because I'm not sure what to say.

Am I being unreasonable?

I'm happy to do the training or not - it would make work's life easier but it's not like it's going to benefit my career much in the long run. The course has been booked so I'm not sure if there would be penalties if I canceled now - I'm feeling pressured just to say yes and it's getting my back up a bit.

I don't drive - even if I did it's a 5 hour drive - this place is in the butt end of nowhere and I'd be stuck there from Friday night through to Friday night - but only paid for my normal hours Monday to Friday.

Can work reasonably expect me to give up my weekend (with no pay) to sit around and wait for a course to start on the Monday?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Offer to travel up on Sunday (or Monday morning if possible) as long as they pay your travel expenses without being paid for the travelling hours.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Incidentally, 8 hours to go 180 miles?

ReadingTim

I'd just say you have prior commitments on the Friday/Saturday evening, which you can't rearrange, so can only travel there on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Basically, you need to suggest you can't, rather than you won't.

NewShadow

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

Incidentally, 8 hours to go 180 miles?

You try getting a train from the bottom of Wales to somewhere near the middle top on a Sunday...

Train leaves at 09:00 and arrives at the station 17:30 - 4 changes and a bus.

Public transport in Wales isn't great.

Thank you for the comments.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Well you can get a train from Cardiff to Colwyn Bay on a Saturday that takes 4 hours. Public transport in Wales isn't that bad, although it's oriented East-West rather than North-South. Where are you leaving from, somewhere out in Pembrokeshire?

NewShadow

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

Well you can get a train from Cardiff to Colwyn Bay on a Saturday that takes 4 hours. Public transport in Wales isn't that bad, although it's oriented East-West rather than North-South. Where are you leaving from, somewhere out in Pembrokeshire?

That's the problem - I don't want to have to travel up on Saturday for a course that runs Monday to Friday...

Oh, and near Cardiff to either Pwllheli or Bangor then either another two hours on a bus or 40 minutes in a taxi (or arrange a pickup) - butt end of nowhere remember...

Why they think this is a suitable venue for a course I have no idea.

gettingtheresometime

NewShadow wrote: »

Why they think this is a suitable venue for a course I have no idea.

Presumably it's central to all the attendees

NewShadow

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Presumably it's central to all the attendees

I very much doubt a venue at the top of Wales is central to attendees from an organisation where 80-90% of staff are South Wales (if not Cardiff) based.

I think it's because the trainers own the venue and attached accommodation (given it's a residential course).

Why they chose to buy a venue for residential training in the North of Wales - have you seen the difference in property price between the South and North?

elsien

Anyone else going on the Sunday you could get a lift with? Alternatively are they running other courses later on which are closer to you and which you could tranfer to?
I'd be saying I'd got arrangements that can't be cancelled on the Fri/Sat and leave the ball in their court.

NewShadow

elsien wrote: »

Anyone else going on the Sunday you could get a lift with? Alternatively are they running other courses later on which are closer to you and which you could tranfer to?
I'd be saying I'd got arrangements that can't be cancelled on the Fri/Sat and leave the ball in their court.

Good suggestions and I think that's what I'm going to do.

Not sure if anyone else will be traveling up on the Sunday. I can't be the only one with personal commitments.

I only got the email today - boss is on leave and I'm not back in the office until Monday (going on a coach trip to Tenby for the day tomorrow as it happens).

It said - can't remember the exact words - managers would be expected to release staff if needed to allow travel up on the Friday evening and reminded managers about our 10 hour day policy.

It was more the tone of the email that's irritating me - suggesting this was just what was going to happen.

Some people might be pleased with the idea of a couple of nights paid for room and board close to the national park but there was a reason I moved away from mid-Wales - being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no car sucks...