I begrudge how much it costs to take my support staff on holiday with me.

Kim_13

It is of course my opinion but were I accompanying someone on holiday and being paid to do so, I would expect the activities not to be to my taste. It is their holiday and not mine, and when they are paying handsomely for it, I wouldn’t expect them to compromise (though if you are quite happy socialising with others, I would not have a problem with the support worker going shopping and would say that so that the 40 mins thing doesn’t happen.) S/he could return when called with an agreed period of notice, e.g. back at the same bar in 30 mins. Given the free change of scenery, I’d expect to pay for my own food but appreciate that the OP has clarified that it’s not this he has an issue with. The original post said spending money for us both so it did seem that he was perhaps picking up bills that he shouldn’t have to.

I wouldn’t assume that a male support worker would necessarily like the same things and therefore solve the problem, so could you outline to the company what you will be doing and ask for someone with broadly similar interests? A male might be less inclined to shop, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t make their dissatisfaction known anyway. If I didn’t think I could do x without behaving in the way that this lady has, I wouldn’t agree to go on the trip as I don’t think it fair to OP to potentially take the shine off his trip. As OP was left in the bar to socialise as he wished at least once, then I am assuming that there was no safety issue which meant that the support worker felt she had to get him to go shopping with her on the occasion(s) where that was the case.

If OP has to compromise when a holiday costs so much, is it any wonder that he feels this way? If he compromises too much he will not enjoy his holiday and that makes it a waste of money.

If the activities are of the OPs choosing and have a cost attached, then I would expect him to be paying for the cost of the support staff doing the same. It’s quite right when they are activities that they might not choose for themselves/enjoy, but if the itinerary is an agreed compromise, then it becomes more like travel companions and therefore less reasonable that OP pays for 2x everything.

itsthelittlethings

I suppose the only thing that would concern me is if you need 24/7 support at home would you really be ok for 28 days travelling on your own? Only you and your care staff know that.

It does sound like your member of staff was a little bit rude to complain about the food every day but they are working, they’re not on holiday so I don’t think it’s unreasonable for everything to be paid for.

As far as wanting to have a drink and mingle with people, we’d all like to do that for hours on holiday, it’s not always a good idea if you’re drinking alcohol!

itsthelittlethings

That said, good for you for getting up and having holidays! Maybe you could thing about a ten day holiday on your own?

HillStreetBlues

williewonder said:

HillStreetBlues said:

What is the role of your support worker while away?

Just for company.

In that case you need to be more picky on who you invite.
Get them more involved, tell them I'm thinking of going to (place)  and staying here (hotel)  what do you think?
To me you want them to feel like it's their holiday too, not just work, somewhere you can have a laugh and an enjoyable time.

Grumpy_chap

Kim_13 said:

support staff? They are working, so you should not be paying for anything other than their flights, accommodation (which are necessary to do their job) and daily/hourly rate. Nor should they expect the itinerary to be to their liking; they’re not on holiday, you are. Few employers would give their employees free food 

I would certainly say that the support staff, who are working, should have their food covered.  This element is no different to a sale rep required to stay at a hotel near the NEC during a conference - the rep's costs are met by the company.

It is great that the OP has been able to have a good holiday.

Hoenir

Kim_13 said:

If OP has to compromise when a holiday costs so much, is it any wonder that he feels this way? If he compromises too much he will not enjoy his holiday and that makes it a waste of money.

The OP wants good company while on holiday.  Money doesn't buy that. A good attitude towards others goes a long way though. There's no shortage of places to go on holiday.  

marcia_

williewonder said:

elsien said:

You have travelled abroad to places on your own before, and have also asked the benefits questions before.
i do query the motives behind some of your posts at times? 

I do have anxiety about getting into trouble for travelling on my own.

 Get in to trouble from who? The DWP? If so it is none if their business unless you've told them you need 24/7 care? 

Danien

It sounds like this was a particularly bad support worker. Having done support work when I was at Uni, when you're with a client you are there for them and their needs, not for your own. It is time that you are being paid for - it would be like working in a retail park and wanting to go do your shopping in a different shop on the retail park during work time. If the person only likes English food then they really shouldn't be doing support work on a foreign holiday when many clients will want to eat the local food. Food allergies and intolerance have to be catered for of course and vegetarian/vegan options if necessary, but just wanting English food is ridiculous in support work during foreign holidays.

Any support worker obviously should get their own free time during the day to do their own thing, but during work hours you are there for the client, no one else.

I remember going to places I didn't like, seeing boring movies, eating food I wouldn't have chosen myself, but I would never have made complaint or comment to the client - it was their time to do what they chose (in the same way I wouldn't complain or comment about any work I was contracted and paid to do)......of course there were two support workers who would take advantage of the clients (who had learning difficulties) and convince them to go somewhere else because the support worker didn't fancy the client's choice, drag them into shops they wanted to go in, eat in places the support worker wanted to eat or watch a movie the support worker wanted to watch. It goes without saying that the clients did not like going out with those support workers.

If it were me I would give constructive feedback to the agency to say the issues you had and that it wasn’t acceptable.

LightFlare

a) dont take a carer with you
b) find a cheaper carer
c) dont go on holiday

harri_dav

What about using a travel company designed for disabled travellers? My friend used to use one regularly. He is independent but others on various trips paid for the support workers as part of their travel package. It’s also enabled him to meet other disabled travellers and make friends.  He's travel to European countries as well as on long haul holidays. There’s a few companies out there. A quick Google search showed Limitless Travel as a first result. It’s not the one my friend used but it’s another option when travelling.