Leaving do? Try to go or not bother

[Stressedgiraffe]

I'm leaving work in a couple of weeks. I work remotely but need to give back my equipment so said I'd go into the office to give it back then out for a meal. My work is about 5 hours away West from me so it'll be an overnight. This will cost me about £250.
My new job have asked me to attend an team training day on my first day up north also 5 hrs away which will need at least 1 overnight. Costing around £250 ( I can expense this) obviously I will be attending this.
I'm just reluctant to spend so much on work trips in a week.as we are a single income household.
Ainbu to not go to my own leaving do and courier my equipment?
Aibu do both no matter the cost as it'll be a nice send off?

If you work remotely I wouldn't bother with a 10 hr return drive for a leaving do, focus your time and energy on the new role.

I'll be getting the train so it's an overnight as its not doable in one day.
I was looking forward to the meal as they are lovely people attending.
Now due to the new work travel I don't know

Can't you just courier the equipment back recorded delivery with insurance?

Yeah, just courier it. Nobody would think you're going to hand it over personally when you live so far away.

Your employer needs to arrange and pay for a courier.

There is no way I would spend £250 to get to a leaving do.

I could but a part of me wants to say goodbye in person. I know it's silly but I've been there nearly 3 years and I'll miss people.
Couriers are probably the sensible option

In that case, ask your employers if they’d be willing to reimburse you the travel costs and that you will drop the laptop off.

It states in my contract that it needs to be done in person but I could ask for an exemption. When I started I had to go inperson and collect it.

If it states you have to do it in person then there's a good case that they'll need to cover your expenses for the overnight stay. You can ask?
I'd probably go to leaving do, if you genuinely like them , don't want to burn bridges

You won’t remember the money in a year but you will always remember you didn’t say goodbye properly. I’d go.

I know I won't remember in a year but unfortunately this month I will as I have a 6 week gap before i get paid.
my dh says I should just courier it- laptop rucksack keyboard monitor.

Well yes he would it makes no difference to him other than the £. Maybe you can see them all another time instead.

I don’t know why on the job you’re leaving you wouldn’t expense it?

Where the hell are you staying that a hotel room is £250???

@paintingvenice i assumed the cost was also including train travel/fuel.

I’d go if I liked the people.

Is the leaving do arranged/definitely happening, OP?

It's when many people work remotely.

If your work want you to return your equipment in person, you should be able to expense your travel?

I'd courier if at all possible. If so, could you do an online get together like we did for those who left during covid? It's not ideal but could be an option, especially is anyone else works remotely and would miss out otherwise.

If you have to go in to hand back equipment in person then fair enough. But they should pay for your travel and subsistence and it should be during working hours ie on your last day.

I think I'd leave home at 7am, arrive there at noon to hand in my equipment, lunch at 1230-2pm, return to the train station, and be home by 7pm.

Well if you can't afford to go, then you can't afford to go. You just have to give apologies and do a virtual farewell. You can't magic up money.

That said, going against the grain, human relationships are important. And you never know when you may cross paths with these people again. I would go if I could.

I've actually just checked the handbook
"The employee must hand in all equipment xyz in person to their manager on their last day"
So it seems like I'm going.

as you are on a remote contract, travel to the office should be able to be expensed, speak to your manager to ok it