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Original poster

Can my Boss make me go to London?

56 replies

SortCode · 07/09/2021 14:09

I live and work in a rural area. There's a conference in London mid Oct. My boss has asked me to go. I dont want to travel to and mix with shed loads of people on the train and tube (only way of getting there quickly) it will be morning rush hour and evening when I leave.

Im hardly going out now as it is and to go to London is making me feel really uneasy. I need to talk to him about this I know but Im so worried incase he makes me go

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 07/09/2021 14:22

Depending on how reasonable your boss is and also what your contract says you may have to.

ofwarren · 07/09/2021 14:24

Get some proper FFP3 face masks. They aren't overly expensive. Much less likely to catch anything in one of those.

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/09/2021 14:26

I've just done this twice recently and despite my nerves it was fine. I'm glad I got it over with. Could you stay the day before so you don't have to travel in the rush hour?

Iwonder08 · 07/09/2021 14:44

Unless you are extremely clinically vulnerable the only way to decline it would be to claim mental health/anxiety issues. Otherwise there is no solid logical justification for your reluctance to go

changingstages · 07/09/2021 14:45

It may change, but I commute to London and it's much quieter than it used to be on trains/tubes. Mask compliance is pretty low on both but there's a reasonable amount of space.

Billandben444 · 07/09/2021 14:49

If your contract covers this type of event then you need to go. Why should someone else go in your place?

FleasInMyKnees · 07/09/2021 14:51

I fully understand, why do you have to go, is your boss going too. Will you need to contribute anything or can it be viewed remotely.

QuestionableMouse · 07/09/2021 14:54

Might be worth looking into a hotel for the night/two nights so you can travel outside peak.

heldinadream · 07/09/2021 14:59

I'm 67 and not been to London since before covid. Went on Saturday - tackled the tubes and all. It's really much quieter than it used to be and lots of people wear masks and it's all very calm. I feel so much better now I've been and I can't wait to go again - all the fear's gone. Unless you're ECV, or close to someone ECV, I'd try and do it OP.

Goldbar · 07/09/2021 14:59

Of course they can ask you to go. They're your boss and presumably the conference comes within your job remit Confused.

idontlikealdi · 07/09/2021 15:02

Nobody can make you do anything but they can ask you to go and depending on your t&cs they can terminate your employment.

caughtinanet · 07/09/2021 15:04

@changingstages

It may change, but I commute to London and it's much quieter than it used to be on trains/tubes. Mask compliance is pretty low on both but there's a reasonable amount of space.
That's interesting as it was reported yesterday that public transport use was back to pre pandemic levels.

I've been to London a few times in the past year and it has got noticably busier each time. I was surprised at how many people were wearing masks on the tube last month

SquirmOfEels · 07/09/2021 15:07

Yes, it's a reasonable request.

And yes get a mask of the type that protects you (not just a face covering to protect those around you). FFP2 (N95) or FFP3 (N99?)

Consider using buses, Boris bikes or walking if you want a better ventilated journey across the centre

girlmom21 · 07/09/2021 15:08

Does your contract say you may need to travel for work? If so, yes they can expect you to honour your contract.

SquirmOfEels · 07/09/2021 15:08

I was surprised at how many people were wearing masks on the tube last month

TFL still require masks, and I'd say most people comply (the Tube is germ soup at the best of times!)

HangingChads · 07/09/2021 15:09

Drive to the outskirts and get a taxi in?

BiscuitLover09876 · 07/09/2021 15:09

If it's a one off can they arrange a taxi from the station I.e. to avoid tubes? The trains aren't too bad if this helps.

caughtinanet · 07/09/2021 15:11

@SquirmOfEels

I was surprised at how many people were wearing masks on the tube last month

TFL still require masks, and I'd say most people comply (the Tube is germ soup at the best of times!)

I know its mandatory, I was commenting on the PP who said compliance was low. I'd expected that might be the case but saw that in fact it was actually pretty high.
PineappleWilson · 07/09/2021 15:14

Are you working from home OP? I'm surprised the conference is being held face to face, as any are still online right now, but your manager wouldn't be unreasonable to ask you to go. It's within the remit of your job and presuambly if you had particular risk factors, your manager would know about them and you'd have mentioned them in your OP. just being rural and not wanting to travel with a wider range of people isn't a reason not to go.

Mintjulia · 07/09/2021 15:16

It's a reasonable request unless you are CEV.

I've travelled in to London twice a week since June, wear a mask on the train, avoid the tube, and am stringent about hand washing. It's been fine.

If there is another spike, I'd be surprised if the event goes ahead.

MrsPsmalls · 07/09/2021 15:16

Yes

PineappleWilson · 07/09/2021 15:17

*many are still online

KupoNutCoffee · 07/09/2021 15:23

Is it part of your job to go? As in you're expected to say, run a exhibitor stall, or it's a key meet and greet or something in your work calender?

Or is it, just a want you to go because it would be useful but not essential - for instance I'm going to a exhibition in October- it's not part of my job at all, but my boss has said it would be good for us, and while might be disappointed - (and possibly apply gentle pressure as to why I should make the effort) would let me pass if I didn't want to.

In any case, can you negotiate to make it a more palatable risk? Could you say, book a hotel for the night? Is anyone else going - either in your business or someone else you know, that you could car share with?

Can you put off the decision...not say no entirely... but say you want to see how October looks to be panning out. I mean....its 'not true' according to BBC news but the rumour mill seems to be on about some Oct half term restrictions....

Sunshineandflipflops · 07/09/2021 15:36

Do you go to the supermarket? I cant see how public transport is that different to being around a load of strangers there to be honest. We have to go back to our normal lives sometime and if your job requires you to go to conferences than I can't see how you can say no. I think people are tiring of 'because Covid' excuses now.

FleasInMyKnees · 07/09/2021 15:41

I think some people can undr estimate how scary covid has been for people and the anxiety it can cause. Living rurally with fewer people around then having to get on a train and tube for several hours each way, mingling with strangers, staying in a hotel can feel quite daunting. If its essential then perhaps someone else nearer can go if they are confident but if it's not essential then I think managers need to be aware.. maybe it depends on if you are a Speaker, expected to run a stall but I have been to many conferences where you just sit there, say nothing, do nothing and it could have all been done online.