Mumsnet Talk

I am not able to start my new job today?
Cancelled flight, I was rebooked, but luggage still at departure airport & won't be with me until early afternoon.
I have just the clothes I travelled in, no toiletries, hair dryer etc. hotel kindly provided toothbrush & toothpaste. There is no way I can turn up for the first day of a new contract later on this morning in my current attire and without benefit of "soap and water".
AIBU to ask for compensation for my loss of earnings from the airline?

You should get standard EU compensation, I should think.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_261/2004

€250 probably. But depends when rebooked.

could you claim on your travel insurance ? most of those have cover for lost / delayed luggage so you can buy toileteries, and new undies etc. I'd still turn up - explaining to anyone who'll listen about your delayed luggage; loss of earnings is one thing but making a bad impression on your first day but not turning up can't be compensated for. better to turn up a bit crumpled around the edges

hotels provide soap and water dont they?

it also depends what the new job contract is. if you are a tiler, unironed jeans with grout on them will be fine. if you are a personal stylist, they might need ironed

I would call and explain. If I got a call from someone with this dilemma I'd find them some clothes etc. Compensation wont repair the impression you will give by not turning up.

Agree it's better to turn up in crumpled clothes than not at al

Well in the end I e-mailed my intermediary. It is a contract job, so I cannot just turn up in travel clothes with "undone" hair. Anyway, the message got through plus I gave contact details.
Cannot even do much online as the adaptor plug for the iPad is in the luggage & I am on 60% already due to the delay.

But if you're in a hotel don't you have soap and water? Sounds like you just need deodorant and hairbrush and knickers to me. Any supermarkets nearby?

To be honest, turning up in travel clothes than not at all, if you have explained the situation looks better and more professional than not turning up at all.

All you need is a hairbrush, surely there is some where you can find that?

Much much better to turn up scruffy than not at all.

I agree that it's far more professional to turn up even if you're not in the clothes you would prefer.

Ask the hotel reception where you can buy a hairbrush and done fresh clothes and to get you a taxi there. Then go!

Even if you turn up in a supermarket blouse its better than not bothering.

And good luck.

Go. Even if you don't stay all day, you really need to go today.

Just meet the people you need to meet, explain what's happened and agree to be there tomorrow or whatever.

Having your first impression as being someone who doesn't turn up isn't great. You might have a good reason but nobody remembers the reasons, just that you are due to start today and aren't there. If you go meet them, they won't be thinking about what you are wearing - they'll just meet you and tick that off their to-do list. It'll make a much, much better impression.

I would put your job before your appearance.

What did you travel in that's got so scruffy during the journey?

This op confused me. If you're in a hotel, you can get washed (as others have pointed out) and if you have £5 or £10 you can nip down to Primark or a supermarket and get underwear, hairbrush and a new top

Surely you have your purse with you? Go to a shop and buy and outfit and toiletries!

Even if you have to arrive a little late it's far better than not at all.

Do the hotel have any spare staff uniform? Surely they must have a skirt/trousers and a shirt somewhere?

so did you not go then OP?

Why can you not find a shop and buy something to wear, you may be a bit late but you have notified them. Better to show some initiative and gumption than being a wimp. I'd be very unimpressed at someone not showing up, this is what credit cards are for.