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 used to do that once a week. It’s not a big deal.

As a one off I don’t see the issue. It’s just one early start and although it’s 3 full days training which with evening networking is hard work, it’s not unusual.

Really?? Never heard of that one and I also work for the NHS.
Hundreds of junior doctors leave work before 630am every single day and are not offered that. Are you clinical?

As a one off I think fine. When I did things like this for a large corporate there was a view that people who lived in the North had far far more money in their pockets then Southerners be used of cost of living, house prices etc so if meetings were down South as they often were it’s was hey ho…

As an aside one sales guy decided to move to deepest Cornwall and then assumed that the company would pay his travelling costs including over night stays etc because let’s be honest Cornwall isn’t known for its business life. He was hauled over the coals for it. We were classed as Agile workers which meant normally we had a specific office but could claim travelling costs from home if we were travelling to client meetings around the UK. He eventually left the company because it really wasn’t going to work.

I used to do it to commute to Manchester for work 5 days a week - not 300 miles but getting up and driving at the same time, to avoid traffic.

My DH travels every week leaving the house earlier than 6.30 and travelling way more than 300 miles. I would say the difference is he's paid well for it! For training and something that isn't everyday I'd do it!

Glasgow to London perchance? It's doable and plenty do. Or go down the night before.

I’d want a hotel the night before too, that’s a night time wake up!

it wouldn’t be an issue for me, 06:20 isn’t crazy early

Thinking about your dog.. Why don't you get him collected by whoever is having him/her the night before you leave? Much less stressful for both of you. Dog won't pick up on your stress in the morning and you might be able to set your alarm 20 mins later.

Yes, it's more money, but if your employer provided accommodation the night before, you'd be payjng for 4 nights of dog care anyway.

Every once in a while I had to do this, it was no biggie.

Not unreasonable- if you get the time back in lieu.

I used to regularly (two or three times a month) get the 4.20am train from Glasgow to London that got me into Euston for meetings for the back of 9am so I could make it to meetings that started at 10/10.30am. And I occasionally used to travel back on the same day getting home at 10pm. I really don't think that a 6.20am train is unreasonable as a one off - some people will set off that early every day for a regular commute!

Soz, should have read the full thread 🙄

I get up at 4.45 three days a week for the gym, so the only thing that would piss me off about this would be missing my workout.

I do this sort of thing regularly, as do many other people.

YABU

It's one early start!

When I need to travel to another office for a meeting it involves a 7am flight which means getting up about 2am...

I’ve also done it as a weekly commute London to Newcastle for work.

Yes, they should pay for dog care because that’s entirely the employers responsibility.
Er, have I got that right?

I have got a 6:20am train for work every day for the best part of 30 years. I have often set off earlier still in order to get to another office. You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

I didn't say that at all.

I'm surprised too. I worked for the NHS for years in a clinical role and had to leave the house at 5.30am every day to get to work, sometimes earlier if I had a meeting or training course at a different venue. If this is true then I think it's a waste of resources to be honest.

I set off for a 45 minute commute at a similar time for many years. The difference was it wasn't a 300 mile commute, several late nights too and then a 10pm return.

Yeah, I used to do the Glasgow to London commute often and a 6.20am train would have been a long lie 😂

6.20 isn't that early. Your dog/childcare etc are your problem,not your employer's

I've done this tons for work. It didn't even cross my mind, I just did it. I hate early mornings but it's part and parcel of most working lives at some stage.

If it were suddenly a regular and permanent arrangement, not in my contract, I would speak to my company as it would impact financially and personally. But as an occasional thing, I'd just do it.