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Original poster

Would you go on this work trip at such short notice ? ( new job )

53 replies

gahga · 11/11/2024 14:11

I've not even started yet and just got an email from my manager to be, asking if I could go on a two night ( 3 day ) work trip in my second week- which is in two weeks time.

Would you do this ? Will it look bad if I don't do it ?

I have two small kids, so finding cover will be hard - but possible, probably.

I don't want to come off badly from the start. I also know that I'll need flexibility down the line, once they know and love me. So if I start putting in the good will now, it hopefully will pay off? Or would you categorically not do this ?

Thanks for your opinions !

OP posts:
freedohm · 11/11/2024 15:18

gahga · 11/11/2024 15:12

How pedantic, surely you know what I mean.

Once I've proved myself

Show quote history

It doesn’t sound like this job is for you. I can’t believe you have ask if you can say no to go on a training course, before you’ve even started. And to plan to not go on future trips, once they love you.

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 11/11/2024 15:17

How old are the kids? Would they be open to restructuring the training over 2 longer days rather than 3 so only one night away?

HundredMilesAnHour · 11/11/2024 15:15

Two weeks is a decent amount of notice for a work trip, especially when it's only 2 nights.

I was starting a new job on Monday (that I'd been told may require occasional travel to Munich but that was it) and I got a call on the Friday before I started asking if I could fly to Texas on my first day. I said yes of course. No idea why I was going or what I would be doing there (or how I should dress - formal vs casual) but sometimes you just have to run with it.

TickingAlongNicely · 11/11/2024 15:12

If I was asked to go on a work for two weeks time today the answer would be no as my husband is on a work trip that week. And my overnight childcare is on holiday.

At other times of the year it wouldn't be a problem

Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 15:12

freedohm · 11/11/2024 15:07

once they know and love me

It’s work, they don’t need to love you.

How pedantic, surely you know what I mean.

Once I've proved myself

OP posts:
freedohm · 11/11/2024 15:07

once they know and love me

It’s work, they don’t need to love you.

JadziaD · 11/11/2024 15:04

I think you have to go, but I do think, if possible you need to flag that you were not expecting it. Something like, "I was not expecting to have to travel so soon as we had discussed doing training locally. I think I can make that work but can you give me a couple of days to finalise arrangements here?"

I don't know if you have a partner at home or are a single mum, but it's not entirely unreasonable that for 2 nights away, you might need a bit of planning and prep.

Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 14:55

YellowAsteroid · 11/11/2024 14:54

I've now been asked to go to the other location for training. In my opinion, the people who will deliver the training, can't be bothered to travel- so they'll make me travel there.

Yes, frustrating, but a) it's more economical for one person to travel, than several; and b) 2 nights in a hotel, no disturbances ...

For several people to travel to your office just to train you is a big waste of resource, really.

There's also another new hire.

OP posts:
Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 14:55

Delphigirl · 11/11/2024 14:49

Of course I would do it. Don’t you want the job? Why wouldn’t you? I really don’t understand.

Because I have two very young kids and I have my work routine all set up and I did ask about this during the interview process.

Because 6 months ago I left a job because they'd initially said I won't need to travel much and they kept asking me to travel.

But I'm going this time, as it's the first time and I want to make a good impression. If it continues, I'll have a word.

OP posts:
YellowAsteroid · 11/11/2024 14:54

I've now been asked to go to the other location for training. In my opinion, the people who will deliver the training, can't be bothered to travel- so they'll make me travel there.

Yes, frustrating, but a) it's more economical for one person to travel, than several; and b) 2 nights in a hotel, no disturbances ...

For several people to travel to your office just to train you is a big waste of resource, really.

Gizlotsmum · 11/11/2024 14:54

If you can make it work I think you should but I would also think it was reasonable to raise a caution that you weren’t expecting it and will try to arrange child care and ask when they need a definite answer by. Could you call the person who asked if you could make it and have a chat? It might be convenient for them but not essential for you to attend.

Doingmybest12 · 11/11/2024 14:51

How much do you want the job and to make a good impression and can you make it work? If this has made you feel the company is going to ask more than you are willing to give rethink if its the right job for you.

potatocakesinprogress · 11/11/2024 14:51

I had the exact same thing happen except it was a week after I started, not two. It was a trip to Germany so not a small ask.

I said no because of the short notice, nothing happened, it was fine.

Delphigirl · 11/11/2024 14:49

Of course I would do it. Don’t you want the job? Why wouldn’t you? I really don’t understand.

SpottySpotSpots · 11/11/2024 14:47

Personally, I would be willing to go, but since you'd discussed the training not involving you travelling anywhere, I'd be a bit surprised with them that they've changed their minds, and point out that its very short notice, and since you weren't expecting to need to travel during your training it will be challenging for you to arrange childcare etc.

Generally speaking, people don't want to have to give up on a new recruit and start all over again - recruiting is expensive and time consuming. They do not hold all the cards here - if they piss you off, you could also walk away from this job before you've started and leave them having to try and fill your role again. They should want to make as good an impression on you as you do on them.

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 11/11/2024 14:36

If it's for training it won't be frequent, I'd go. If it becomes a regular request, that's when to push back.
I'd reply and say I'll do my absolute best to sort childcare at short notice, I'll be able to let you know by Wednesday/Friday (whatever suits you)

Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 14:34

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 11/11/2024 14:33

Yes go on the trip.

It won't look good if I don't go. I need to build up good will. I have to go.

OP posts:
eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 11/11/2024 14:33

Yes go on the trip.

Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 14:31

Greentreesandbushes · 11/11/2024 14:21

Context is needed. Is it an annual event? Or established meeting that they’ve realised you’ve been missed off the invite for? Or last minute your skills are needed?

So the team is split in a few locations.

The majority are here, but some others are in the other location, which is where I've been asked to go.

I was told all my enablement was going to be done locally- I actually asked, because a lot of companies fly their new employees to a location to do new hire training etc. they said I would not need to go anywhere, it would be done in my local office.

I've now been asked to go to the other location for training. In my opinion, the people who will deliver the training, can't be bothered to travel- so they'll make me travel there. It's frustrating because I asked about this explicitly.

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 11/11/2024 14:26

two weeks is generally plenty of notice for a business trip.

Greentreesandbushes · 11/11/2024 14:21

Context is needed. Is it an annual event? Or established meeting that they’ve realised you’ve been missed off the invite for? Or last minute your skills are needed?

Ellie1015 · 11/11/2024 14:19

If possible i would go. Always good to get some goodwill started, easier if employer first one asking for flexibility rather than me because someone is sick/nativity show etc.

Wakeywake · 11/11/2024 14:18

Yes, I'd try to make it work if at all possible. Of course, if you've not got childcare it's perfectly acceptable to decline for this reason and they shouldn't hold it against you if they are decent employers.

Futurethinking2026 · 11/11/2024 14:18

This would very much be expected in my company. Have you spoken to anyone else in the company to find out how regular ‘occasional’ actually is?

Original poster
gahga · 11/11/2024 14:16

They said there would not be a lot of travel at all. Very occasional.

OP posts: