Expectation that colleagues should share a hotel room?

[CGaus]

Just that really, AIBU to think that professionals on business trips should not be expected to share hotel rooms to cut costs?

For context, I am a professional in the public sector. I live in Australia, and work in a large government department. It is not an entry level position, and both colleagues are female. The business trip is to carry out essential work (not optional training) and we would be staying in a hotel for just one night. We will be driving for several hours interstate to a regional town.

The colleague I’ve been asked to share with is lovely, but I haven’t known her very long and don’t feel comfortable sharing a room with her. A senior manager booked the room for both of us, I only realised he requested funding approval for one twin share room when I saw the email.

Thankfully I noticed this before we left, and was able to have a quick chat with my direct manager. I compromised by booking a family suite, so a small lounge area with two connecting but separate bedrooms and a shared bathroom at a small additional cost. My manager had not made the booking herself, and approved of the additional cost without hesitation.

I have no idea as I don’t travel with work but I would absolutely refuse to share with anyone else. I need my own personal space. I don’t think this is acceptable.

I agree with you. I think it's inappropriate to expect colleagues to share the same room even if they are the same sex. I would not be comfortable with that at all.

I certainly wouldn't expect to share a room with a colleague. YANBU.

This would never happen in my job (civil service). I would refuse to even consider it.

Yanbu.

I don't think it's appropriate to expect you to share with colleagues unless it's a) optional or b) part of the deal (e.g. military).

I'm glad they've made the change for you, but frustrated on your behalf that they booked such a silly thing in the first place.

I travel a lot with work and wouldn’t expect to share. Our policy is separate rooms. I have shared but only when in emergency accommodation whilst something else was sorted.
I think Christmas parties in some companies are often shared accommodation if it’s provided, and I guess that’s fair enough as it’s a jolly not essential work.

Yanbu. Would the person who booked your room be happy to share? Or would they expect their own room?

I’ve shared a family suite or air bnb house or apartment whilst travelling with work - the houses/apartments for longer stays.

I’ve shared a room with a colleague once, for one night only - never again, you don’t get to switch off - we engaged in a competitive out-working match waiting to see who would be the first to give in and stop working at night 😔.

I would not share a room with a coworker.

Whenever i have traveled with work, i have always had my own double room.

Lord, no, you aren’t being unreasonable! I do school trips and always aim for single rooms. I figure anyone having to be away from home/on duty 24/7 deserves their own room. Also, I snore!

I would be very uncomfortable sharing with anyone bar my DH.

I got caught out with this before. Don't share. Nope. Wouldn't want to share with my friends never mind my colleagues.

This was the case for females but not males at my work until I put a stop to it. Its unfair to make people travel with work generally without taking away all privacy to save costs

Nope no way

Not acceptable.

It should be up to you. Sometimes I've shared with colleagues in order to get a better hotel with the extra money. Only with people I knew well though. Would not be impressed to have it forced on me. Would be happy to share a bathroom though if renting apartment for example.

Happens to my dp all the time. He's been away for 4 nights and he's sharing a room with the guy he's working with.
Not sure why it's only unacceptable for professionals?
Happens to him in both jobs he has when he works away. Can't afford to refuse.

I know colleagues in the past combined their budget to upgrade and get a nicer hotel where they shared a room (platonic friends) as it was a better location. I would refuse unless it was own choice. It's risky for the business too, what if something happened like assault/rape etc.?

I travel with work and always get my own double room.

Public sector in the UK, it's explicitly stated in our personnel manual that we are not expected to share accommodation, ever.

Only time I've travelled with work as more than 1 person we all had our own rooms

However sharing a twin room would not bother me

But then I've shared a room with a complete stranger before, so I may not be the best person to ask - we were in the same profession but never met before or spoken to each other

This is quite a common practice across Asia, especially in Australia / New Zealand where there is a shortage of commutable hotels, even amongst big companies.

Fuck. That.

Not acceptable to be expected to share. YANBU.