To think DH cant come to this

[KatieBr]

So I am working away in London for a few nights (never had to before so don't really understand the rules)

DH said as neither of us have been to London, he could join me (obviously pay for his own transport) but surely he wont be able to stay in my hotel room?

Sorry if you've already answered this but are there other colleagues at the same hotel, and would you usually plan something with them on the evening? I wfh generally in another city but have gone into the London office on occasion for special events etc, and DH has sometimes joined me. I book my own hotel though and expense it so it's not a work social type thing - I think I'd be less comfortable if there's a chance of bumping into a colleague coming out of the hotel room with DH! As it is it costs absolutely no more to have two people sleeping in the room vs one, so long as you're not expensing his breakfast etc.

If DH implied I wasn’t capable and he had to help me get there - no way would he be invited!

Otherwise, it’s probably fine, check with your boss to make sure. I went to a few conferences in fancy places with DH and I just chilled during the day and we made sure my meals were paid for separately, not on his company card, and it was all good. Cheap holiday normally as we were able to travel back a bit later and his company would still happily pay for his return flight. We even stayed in the same hotel one time, just switched the booking to my name once the conference was over

Perfect opportunity to share one of the greatest short stories ever. The entire text is contained in the photo below.

https://biblioklept.org/2017/11/18/happiest-moment-lydia-davis/

No issue whatsoever. You just have to pay any difference

She said she has nothing planned i.e. scheduled for the conference. I'd still be expected to be working / on emails.

Also even if it's training, I'd be expected to Network after.

How could you possibly know?

It's perfect acceptable in my company and my DHs. In fact, we regularly do this.

I brought dh and the kids once

Of course you are fully capable of navigating the tube by yourself, you don't need a male to escort you. Check with your company if you want him to tag along, tell him it's against policy if you don't.

I think ask them. Its likely to be completely fine especially if you meet addition costs. Hope you have a nice time OP.

But nobody bat an eyelid? I have been regularly travelling with work since 1992, within multinationals and many colleagues have travelled a lot as well. I can only recall a handful of occasions when somebody has brought a spouse on a work trip. I have never known it to be banned but it is far from normal and I think in some circumstances it could look unprofessional and can sometimes provoke comments about people wanting subsidised holidays.

Well I suppose that's why OP was asking. Different companies clearly have differences in culture around it. I've been travelling for work for 8ish years and I've always known people to bring people. Not all the time, but when it does happen the most common response is "oh lovely, have you got a nice dinner/evening planned"

If you are going to a place for work and happen to be able to stay with a friend, my work will even give you £50. The understanding is you use that money to buy them dinner and expense your own. Many companies understand that travelling for work can be turned into a perk of the job at a relatively low cost to them.

There are lots of other places. I know plenty of people who haven't been to London, or didn't get there until adults. My parents never took us there as kids because it was a long way, and they couldn't afford it, and they weren't really happy in big cities.
There were other places closer to home that we went to instead.
I still don't enjoy the size and crowds of London. I hate the tube. I prefer smaller cities.

Shes a bit anxious too though. Sounds more like hes supporting her and they can visit london together which sounds a rare opportunity for them.

I'd be amazed at there being a policy reason that he can't stay. The room is paid for.

But the more you've posted about him telling you the tube is too scary on your own the more I think you should say no and insist on going on your own. Sounds like it would be good for you.

How can you say it's against company policy when you don't even know where she works?

She wasn't anxious until he said she needed him there to get on the tube.

@Ponoka7 Yeah I guess for some people that could be true. We have no idea where the OP lives though so may or may not be somewhere she would visit for any of those opportunities.
Personally, I’m about an hour west of Glasgow so would never visit London for a night out etc. I have been a fair few times just because I like exploring different places but I work with ladies in their 40s-60s who I know for a fact have never visited and have no interest in doing so 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't see how your DH is going to be any help to you on the tube if he's not done it before either...

But as others have said, it should be fine for him to tag along in you hotel.

Tube is super easy, btw and central London is very safe.

Oh OP, you'll be fine having him stay. The hotel will neither know nor care.

Previous poster got it right - that's how people have relationships with colleagues when away on business or one night stands! I've shared with my husband and vice versa for our company hotel rooms.

And regarding London on the tube, my 16 Yr old daughter travels in an hour to London on the train and then navigates the tube on her own quite often. Alone. And she's fine.

I even lived in London and not a single scary thing happened to me in the 5yrs I was there. You will have a blast. Enjoy your trip.

Unless you work in OPs HR department you cant possibly know this.
Speak to your Boss OP

I expect there are plenty of places you have never been.

I'm a bumpkin from Cornwall and the tube is fine :)

Why though?

Do you feel the same about all other UK cities?

I've been to London a few times and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Where do you live OP? Despite the media indicating otherwise, London is a very safe place and very easy to travel around. You prob won't even need to use the tube much as it's very walkable. There's a 'walking' London tube map, google it, it shows the walking time between tube stations.

I work in HR. Hotel room is paid for. Not sure how they would know either way!! You could pick someone up in a bar and take them back to your room and not only would we be none the wiser, it would be none of our business. We don’t check up.

I would ask informally (on the phone, not in writing) but if someone asked me I wouldn’t see an issue as long as they paid the difference for occupancy/breakfast etc. From my pov it’s a perk but also good for engagement, you aren’t being paid outside of office hours and it’s not a working evening.

You can't be so definitive as you don't know OPs company or their policy. In many companies it would be absolutely fine as long as they don't add anything to the cost of staying eg breakfasts etc