Would your work pay for this? AIBU thinking they would?

[Quickthrowaway]

I’ve been told I need to go on a training course/conference. Really short notice. Full day 9am-4.30, paid for by work.

However....it is a 6 hour drive or a 4.30 hr train journey away. Meaning I need to be leaving around 2/3/4am in the morning and then the same on the way home.

They will not pay for a hotel the night before and it’s expected I will drive and claim back mileage. Should say it is a public sector job. AIBU to think they would pay for accommodation the night before?

Charitable funds?

Just letting you know that your company is being weird. I've worked in private and public sector and no one would be expected to travel so long without overnight stay (and everything fully paid for).

I used to work public sector and now private and both would pay for this though I think they would have expected to return after 4.30 finish

I used to work public sector and now private and both would pay for this though I think they would have expected to return after 4.30 finish

That's ridiculous.

I work for a charity and could book a hotel, no question. Off the top of my head, the budget is £100 a night (more in London).

I could drive or get any train, just not first class. I tend to book peak/off peak returns rather than advance as I have to make several changes.

Food allowance isn't great, £5 for breakfast, £5 for lunch and £15 for dinner. More than doable though.

Finishing at 4.30pm, I'd be allowed to stay if I wanted. Mainly because my journey home is awkward. You would think I lived in Narnia!

Forget the hotel they wouldn’t even pay for the train! I refused to go and they’ve just left it at that
Make sure you respond to their decision in writing and copy in your HR team in case your "refusal" comes back to bite you later in your employment. I'd be inclined to bcc yourself to your own private email address also.

I think you put all the info/timings/costs in your earlier email?) so add the latest response to that so there is a complete note on your HR file and your manager cannot dispute it later.

Well done for not being bullied into an unreasonable action.