Aibu 6.20am train for a meeting

[Chantholtmouse]

Is it unreasonable of my workplace to expect me to get a 6.20am train to attend work meetings and training 300 miles away? I absolutely don't mind attending but a 6.20am train seems unreasonable. It's the only one that would get me there in time. I'd have to be up at 4.45am to quickly shower, dress, walk the dog around the block (I also have to find someone to pick him up) and drive to the train station which isn't that close.

It's then 3 full days of meetings and training which I'll be shattered for. I'll get a bit of time back but it still seems a big ask. There's no option for paid accomodation to stay the night before.

Aibu?

I did a similar routine for 12 weeks. Half four taxi to airport, flight to London, 3 days working, back home after work on day 3. Sucked it up. Husband has driven from Glasgow to Hungerford to start at 9am several times.

Why are so many people ignoring the fact that OP hasn't chosen to live 300 miles away from her workplace? Nor is she a shift worker or a teenage sports fanatic. If you take on a job, knowing your commute will take x hours a day, that's up to you. When your employer asks you to complete training that necessitates starting your day 2/3 hours earlier than usual they should be willing to offer accommodation the night before (train probably cheaper then anyway).

My mum has got up at 5am for a 6.30am start for the past 40 years. Her works only 20 minutes away but still, people do early starts. If its a one off I wouldn't complain.

It's not unreasonable for a one off particularly.
Many people leave for work every day at 6:00 am.

You could .. Find another solution for the dog that means you don't have to walk it before you leave. (Can you leave it with a friend who also has a dog and repay the doggie play date?) Drive the full way. Stay overnight the night before at your own cost. Take the dog with you. Shower the night before. Get into a positive frame of mind about the change.

Enjoy the train ride, enjoy the stay in another place and learn new skills - it should be fun.

Depends so much what the job is, doesn’t it? My husband had to go on a business trip abroad when our baby was 6 weeks old… I wasn’t thrilled, but it is the sort of job where (although not contracted) the odd bit of travel is expected. It’s probably natural to feel a bit meh about an early start, but I guess try to make the most of your trip? And remind your bosses of your commitment come appraisal time!

I get it Op. The whole exercise requires you to go above and beyond. I don’t think you should be out of pocket because the company decides on something arbitrary unless the outcome is beneficial to you ie you’ll get a pay increase out if it.
As you say it could be at a local venue. I’d say no and I’ll check in on Teams.

Personally I would find a cheap bnb.

I'd probably just go down the night before.

I’m field base and I can book accommodation when it’s needed which is often weekly. If we are covering a distance like 300 miles from home, my manager tells us to go the previous day so we didn’t have such an early start.

I personally think it shows how much a company values you and your time, and how efficient you will be in training and meetings.

Good luck OP. I was a little surprised at your initial question, but reading through I can see that generally you're fed up with your employer and this is just the latest in a series of nonsense from them. If your employer treated you well, you'd be feeling a lot more gracious about it all.

If I were you, honestly I'd get a cheap hotel the night before. If you can afford doggie daycare or whatever, you can afford a hotel.

Alternatively, gird your louns and tell them, "Sorry, given the travel times I won't get there until 11 on the first day."

*loins I mean

Are you serious? Early shifts in nurseries start at 7.15, what time do you think my arse is getting up?

I am interested to know what the job is, in your 40's only 30k yet training 300 miles away. I regularly got a train between 6 & 6:30 as a junior Dr to be at various hospitals for 8am starts. Dd gets the 7:01 to school everyday. 4:45 does seem a bit early but completely doable as a one off.

Would it be more time effective to drive to the mainline station and leave your car there? Would that mean you could leave a bit later and not be up as early?
My journey used to involve a regional train of an hour, then change with 50 mins wait. Driving took 30-40 minutes on the motorway so a big difference.

Could be anything with head office in London / Birmingham / Glasgow or similar. I'm thinking a charity with that level of pay. Now intrigued!

I don’t think it’s unreasonable and If you’re used to being up and setting off that early I really don’t see the issue. Sure the commute is longer but if you manage to get a seat on the train, take some noise cancelling headphones, a book/work/whatever, have a little nap, listen to music. Sounds nice to me

What time are you all getting up for your work day?! I get up at 6am weekdays, 4:45am as a one off would be annoying but I’d just go to bed earlier the night before and probably be fine because it’s only just over an hour earlier. All this about ‘catching up on sleep’ etc - OP, unless your daily routine means you don’t usually get up until 10am and you’re not planning on going to bed until midnight the day before then you’ll be fine. You can sleep on the train. You’re lucky your employer is offering a training opportunity!

I wouldn't be happy with this either OP.
Is it because if they put you up in a hotel the night before, they would have to offer the same to other people and they can't afford it?
As it's a one off though I would probably suck it up.
I don't know what else you can do - you've asked, they've said no. Can you raise it with your manager's manager or HR? Do you want to go on the course or not?

I thought the training must be a major City also. Yes Charity work sounds plausible.

I've only skim read the thread so not sure if this has already been suggested but - just arrive late and say the train was delayed/ cancelled or if you're feeling braver tell them you'll get there later. Buy a flexible ticket that will allow you on a later train and just catch that and sleep a bit later.

Chances are someone else will be late due to (genuinely) delayed transport and the whole thing will start late anyway. I've done this a few times in a similar situation where I was expected to travel from Eastbourne to Manchester and they wouldn't provide a hotel. I arrived at 10:40 rather than 9:40 and usually people were still faffing setting up the projector and making tea (so not delayed due to me). Over the course of 3 days it won't matter if you arrive at 11 rather than 10 on the first one.

I know from the tone of this thread this suggestion won't go down well but i just wanted to throw it out there x

Of course it isn’t unreasonable!! I start work at that time!! It’s not that early!

Cos it's not hard to check what time a train gets in great employee who lies

I still think we need to know ops job

Our head office is in London, we have 80 offices around the uk, sometimes there is training in London, some people are paid less than ops £30k and still go on training, fancy that

300 miles would be at least a 5 hour drive, so an even earlier start.

No they are not being unreasonable at all, they are investing in you by providing training, many people start a daily commute at this time. It is a one off so I don’t see why it is a problem.

It's really common for people to get early trains. However, commuter train services are expensive so it is often cheaper to stay up the night before.