Inconsiderate Boss?

[Charliesunnysky10]

3 weeks ago my boss booked me on a training course in the city centre. I've been off ill with flu past 5 days and still feel weak and tired, but well enough to sit at a desk and pay invoices. I came back to over 90, and it will take me a week to clear this backlog in addition to my usual workload. Nobody else has the training to help - he has an overview but it would be difficult for him and this time of year we are all very busy anyway.
I walk 5 mins to work each day. Conversely, the city centre is 10 miles away and a 1 hr 15 min journey including a 25 min walk between the bus stop and training facility. It's gridlocked this time of year, and public transport is packed anyway at rush hour - last time I did this was the summer and 4 buses passed me because they were full - I waited over an hour to find one that could let me on and stood all the way. Getting home was the same, though it wasn't stormy and dark like it is at present. I looked into the trains but they are the same and it's double the walk, which I won't be able to manage.
They run these courses every 4 weeks and I asked if I could go on the one in Jan when the city isn't as busy with Christmas markets, parties, tourists and shoppers - it would also stop me falling further behind. He said one day won't make any difference with the backlog and doesn't want the course putting off till New Year.

I feel like I don't matter, but is this unreasonable?

If you need the training, then you need the training

All the info about waiting for buses etc is irrelevant, it also doesn’t really matter that the city is busier with tourists - that doesn’t actually make a difference to you

One thing id check though is whether you could expense a taxi from your place of work to the training location, I would be able to from my work but you should check expenses policy

Yes, you are BU. Sadly, work is just that, busy at times, pressured at times. Look at transport options but don't move the course.

I think if your manager has advised that this is more of a priority than clearing the backlog, you defer to that. I don’t think that an adult claiming that Christmas markets and shoppers are an impediment to them going to the city centre for a day for work is particularly reasonable: plenty of people work in city centres and just have to get on with it for the whole of December (and indeed, all year in touristy cities.)

Ask if you could expense a taxi for the morning trip due to poor public transport, and if not, leave slightly earlier. And yes, I appreciate this might sound a little brisk but this is AIBU and as a Londoner I don’t know anybody who would think to use having to stand up on a crowded bus or walk in crowded streets as a justification for not doing something for work!

If it's such a hassle with public transport could you drive or take a private hire taxi? Might help with the stress of getting there.

Thanks for the feedback - probably not what I wanted to hear but what I NEED to hear.

They won’t expense a taxi, but it wouldn’t help anyway as the roads are gridlocked – public transport is the only way.

Accounts payable, right? and under pressure to get everything at least on the system by year end if not paid?

I've reached the stage now where if management wants to cut off its nose to spite its face it can, but you might not feel like that. I'd be clear to him - just a quick email, boss 😀about the backlog, how many invoices there are and are there any as priority that need to be dealt with before Christmas or is s/he happy that they can wait until the NY? CYA with managers like this, I'm afraid.

And check your expenses policy to see if you can take a taxi, especially if you've not been well.

Just seen your post about the taxi - skinflints.

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain I've emailed HR to see if they will make an exception. It's £35 each way and an hour in the cab but at least I'd be sat in the warm.

@ComtesseDeSpair Not at all - I probably need a bit of a wake up call to be honest. I've had a miserable week with the flu and coming back to this sh1t-show hasn't helped But yes, there are people having to struggle getting to work every day so one day isn't the end of the world

I’m not sure if you’re new to MN OP, but this isn’t really how AIBU works. You’re meant to come on, be told you’re unreasonable, then argue until you’re blue in the face for the next 9 pages why you definitely are not unreasonable and we are all horrible then flounce off

Saying you see everyone’s point on the first page isn’t really on. This place is going to the dogs.

ps, Hope you’re feeling better soon

If it's just one day I think you need to bite the bullet and attend. It's not unreasonable to expect someone to travel 10miles. Do you think all the other employees in this area request adjustments to their working schedule because its busy?

@ShirleyPhallus - 😂😂

@NaughtybutNice77 it was more cos I'm weak as a newborn kitten due to the pneumonia last week. But I'll suck it up and go in, like the hero I am 😉

@ShirleyPhallus Fair doo's. I'll argue with logic for a few more pages if it keeps the standard up

Agree with pp. Re covering your back.

Boss, re discussion about backlog and the training you've asked me to still attend on Xday. Is there any offer of preference for what needs doing before Xmas / what can wait until after.

Then do as he says safe on the knowledge it's on him not you

Is it just 1 day? You probably just need to get on with it... Hope you're feeling better soon!

Thank you for your nice wishes and supportive comments - I think I just needed to know it's not unreasonable.