Colleague going to Ukraine. Aibu to say something?

[joolieandroos]

I lead a small team at work. Outside of work one my team members has been fundraising for Ukraine, and has now booked some leave to travel there, which is obviously against current Foreign Office advice. They want to spend a week talking to people about there lives there, as an act of solidarity, and to add credibility to further fundraising. They have no family connections in Ukraine, but have a history of travelling to unusual locations, including other conflict zones. They will be travelling alone and independently, and they don't speak Ukranian or Russian. They will be spending time in Kyiv and travelling to other areas too, though they were a bit vague about exactly where. I am concerned for their welfare, and considering telling them so, and possibly mentioning it to HR (on the grounds that it is "risky behaviour"). I don't think this will stop them, but if anything happens at least I will know I didn't stand by and do nothing. Aibu?

They are a liability and I hope that if it goes tits up the British government don’t lift a finger to help him.
I wouldn’t report it to anyone though

What's it to do with you or HR?!

Thisssss.

i mean you’re not wrong. But stay in your lane.

what makes you think they aren’t aware of the obvious danger?

Time to put down the Kool-Aid, OP.

What would HR do?
Does this person think they are helpful in someway. It doesn’t sound like they are. I don’t get the need for so many people to have actually travelled to the region, unless they have needed specialist skills.

They're being foolish, but this is not something I'd take to hr, as others have said. I'd say nothing. If they have a history of travelling to conflict zones they will know what to expect.

Jesus yeah yabu. They are obviously aware of the risks seeing as thats what they are fundraising for, people living with those risks all the time.
They are an adult presumably, they can do what they want in their free time. Fair play to them for having the bottle.
Raising it with HR ffs are you for real.

I'd ask for any contribution to the fundraising back, I would have assumed it would have gone to help people, not to fund an ill-advised trip.

It’s nothing to do with you and definitely not HR! I would probably try to talk a friend out of it, but I wouldn’t go to their HR department.

What do you think HR can do?

How are they funding the trip?

Are you their line manager and feel you have a duty of care? Does the nature of your work/ terms mean this type of thing has to be reported to HR/ security?

I'd start with a conversation with the individual first, expressing your concerns as per your post

HR isn't his mummy and YWBU to try to get them involved.

If he's got form for travelling to conflict zones then presumably he's had some experience of keeping vaguely safe. I think he's a tit but it's got nothing to do with you.

Complete liability. But I don't think there's anything you can do about it from a work pov

I don't think you, or HR, can dictate how they spend their free time. It's foolhardy to me, but don't think an employer should get involved, unless you have concerns about any potential reputational risk/conflict of interest for the business.

I’d maybe say is that wise kind of thing but at the end of the day this person is an adult and surely understands the risks as well as anyone else. It’s not for work to say anything or intervene surely? Just stay out of it is my advice

Are the proceeds raised by the fund raising paying for the trip? That would bother me.

But I don't get who you would report to.

I find it so bizarre when people do things like this. The cost of their fare and accommodation would be better spent sending aid. And if a Russian chooses to take a pot shot at them or capture them, then we could have an international incident on our hands.

I support a child in Africa, and have done for decades, but have never been to see her and never will. People who do that are satisfying a need in themselves and not thinking of the child and their community.

I mean, they're being incredibly reckless but I'm not sure why you think it's any of your business? And HR? What have they got to do with this?

It's a crazy thing to do. If you're concerned, say so, but otherwise, butt out. He's an adult. He's booked leave. It has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with you.

If they have previously travelled to conflict zones, surely they're aware of risks, and of FO advice? My line to them would be that it's a misuse of fundraising to use money raised for Ukrainian aid to fund their own needless trip, and that it's likely to damage rather than 'add credibility' to further fundraising.

Talk to him or her, try to get other work colleagues to do the same. If you are the person who grants leave requests, refuse them, and if then there is a complaint to your manager or HR, then explain why.

I have a colleague who does downhill mountain biking every weekend. Should I tell them not to and mention it to HR?

What about the one who has a motorbike? Or the one who plays hockey?

Keep your beak out. It’s none of your business (and HR would probably laugh)

I mean… as you’ve said, it’s against foreign office advice. So why would you (a random colleague) saying you’re concerned make any difference? Some people travel to North Korea and all sorts. Can’t argue with stupid.