To not want to go to Scotland for work?

[ohyesido]

I have a job I love, I am manager level but don't manage a team (thank heaven)

I have a line manager who delegates a lot of work to me, which I am mostly fine with, but I have noticed lately that a lot of high responsibility level tasks are being completed by me.

The latest request is for me to travel to Scotland and undergo some training that I will then roll out to my manager's direct reports.

I don't want to do this as it's an environment that may not be particularly friendly as the Scottish office were an acquisition that wasn't welcomed by the employees in situ. I have Scottish parents and grew up in Edinburgh so I have nothing against the Scottish people, I just think they will not be welcoming me due to circumstances.

AIBU to refuse to go?

Which replies have you found to be inarticulate?

That doesn’t seem to be the case though, because the bulk of what you are saying hinges on the fact that it’s in Scotland. If that makes no difference to you, why is it such a big part of your OP and your responses.

Honestly, you will be fine. The people will be nice, you’ll have a nice time, and the extra responsibility will put you on a good footing at work.

But I do really think that your anxiety about this is somehow tied to the location.

Oh no! Not the shunning!!

Come on OP, Big Girls Pants.

I deliver a lot of internal training. You need to dig out your sense of humour here. “Hello, I’m ohyesido and am an evil minion sent from head office to spy on you” Get them laughing, get them on side. Tell them how much nicer it is in Cumbernauld than where you live in Hove. Loads of compliments and positivity and candour.

Then go back and tell the manager what a friendly bunch they were, welcoming you with open arms. Don’t mention any hostility.

You can do this!

Sorry, missed that it’s Edinburgh. No offence to Cumbernauld 😀

That makes it even easier to be positive about everything surely? You will be in the most beautiful city.

I came on thinking you were being asked to move to Scotland for work purposes, only to find you just have to go for a day. Come on OP, it's hardly a diplomatic mission to North Korea.

This has actually lifted my spirits. Perhaps I do have subconscious faulty beliefs about how Scottish people will react to an English interloper from head office popping up asking for their help.

That was what I came here hoping for, some brutal objective analysis

So? You are there to do a job, not be liked and make friends.

Suck it up, buttercup.

You’re going to Edinburgh, chances are some of the people in the office will be English. They will protect you from the wild haired, tartan wearing hordes. The Scottish part of your OP is irrelevant, you are worried about going to an office where you think people will be upset about a recent takeover. Why bring nationality into it? Or Rugby? The bast nights out in Edinburgh are after rugby matches, although the Italians can be argumentative.
Oh, also - grow up.

YABU. I work in an industry that could potentially be very hostile (reorg/redundancy type things). If you walk into somewhere with a good manner and treat people how you would like to be treated, my experience is that they will react in the same way. Why would they hold you personally responsible? You are there to do a job, and so are they.

Some of us choose to spend our lives on opposite sides of the Calcutta Cup. DH hates it as either he loses, or I lose and am grumpy so basically either way he loses😂

OP. Is this about going to Scotland as an English person, or about going to the acquired office from head office? Feels like you are mixing up two "problems", probably neither of which will be an issue when you get there.

Great opportunity to really make new alliances then. Your colleagues in the other firm know fine well that you aren't the evil mind behind the takeover - you're an employee, just like them.
To repeat, go, do your job, don't be a jerk, make some friends hopefully and come home having built a few new professional relationships. All will be well.

YABU. If you are "manager level" (whatever that means if you don't actually manage) of course you go. Don't be so pathetic and unprofessional.

Welcome to management - doing stuff that is difficult is the job?

You are making the assumption that ALL your colleagues are Scottish. The trainer and attendees could well be a multi national, multi racial, multi ethnic group who are keen to progress their own careers.

What absolute nonsense
its not about scotland its about an unintegrated office which never will be if your organisation doesnt make more effort to bring it into the fold.
How long are you going for? I'm sure you won't be tarred and feathered and marched through the streets

I can’t imagine they would be mean to you because of the takeover. You’re massively overthinking this.

You need to get your big girl pants on Op

I've been to Murrayfield many times. The sporting rivalry is just that. It doesn't transpire to how people feel in real life.

I find your post quite offensive. I'm not quite sure what divide you speak of, as someone said this isn't the Roman times. I'm Scottish and I'm married to an English man. My in laws are English. I've never even given it a second thought. If you had Scottish parents and grew up in Edinburgh then you'd be aware the Scottish people don't give a 2nd thought to anyone English. It's a completey non-issue. The people in the Scottish office are not going to give a flying fig where you come from and I'm struggling to see why it's such a big deal.

Hey @ohyesido as a practical approach, would it be possible to run some online meet and greets before going in person? That may help you and them get to know each other a bit before meeting in person. You could do one for each department or team.

The session(s) could also serve as a “What’s on your mind?” intelligence gathering session so you have more context of people’s mindsets and potential concerns when going into the trainings.

It was at this point that I realised the problem is you, not your colleagues.
There is no way you will have experienced hostility at Murrayfield. Not a chance.
If any nonsense started, the Scottish fans would have put an immediate stop to it.
I've been there many, many times and not seen the slightest hint of hostility.

You appear to have got it the wrong way round and you’re in fact the hostile one!

i'm in a similar positon - company took over other companies and it's like still there are 2 parties. i have tp travel quite a lot to other offices too - what helps me is setting up a call before to set out purpose of meeting/visit and pre-empt any unrest. in the "flesh" these visits are always far less daunting. take some treats with you for coffee time - snacks always go down well

OP I think you might have had more sensible answers had you left the Scottish bit out ! I work in Edinburgh and quite honestly most of us are not in fact Scottish so it's a bit irrelevant.

More relevant is your boss telling you to do stuff that you think should be his job. Do you have a job description? Do you want a promotion? Are you happy at the company ?