My company has banned all train and air travel

[Whitegrenache]

So I have to drive 275 miles to get to head office for all my training.

I can't understand why

My husband works for the government, attended COBRA meetings in room A and E, the government have not cancelled travel. What does your employer know that the government doesn’t!

how would they know how you get there?

I would have thought meetings on skype would be better. This rule is weird.

My husband can’t drive due to a medical condition.

Be curious to see the companies assessment under the equality act.

I understand banning travel, but it's unreasonable just to expect staff to drive those kind of distances instead . Can the meeting be done remotely? You would hope that the company had the correct infrastructure or was willing to invest seen as though this will likely rumble on for a while.

Travel for business has been cancelled until end of March - though I think they will extend it. No conferences.
We have been asked to take our laptops home each night.
I have a long commute and have made the decision to work from home for the foreseeable future. I am very lucky.

My opinion for those that can work from home should, the less populated public transport is the better.

It is about making sensible decisions and all doing out bit as much as we can.

Given the OP has been assigned a company car, I assume the job involves a lot of driving so I can’t see any reason to object to having to drive to head office for training.

I don’t know if this is sensible or panic, and that’s coming from a prepper. I’m honestly worried because I have to take my youngest (SN) on a public bus to and from college, twice a week. Some people on buses and in public in general, are absolutely disgusting. I’ve experienced men, always bloody men, coughing behind me and felt their cough hit me on the back of the head. If I don’t take her, she might nit get back in next year, but if I do take her, I risk both of us getting it. I wish the bloody government would lead!

Good job you have a car you and your car are happy to drive that distance OP.

I’d just get the train and claim mileage myself, not forgetting to wash my hands thoroughly with soap and water before I boarded and after I disembarked.

DH's company has cancelled all overseas travel. He was due to go to USA next week. They've also said anyone with any cold related symptoms is work from home until they are symptom free.

DH’s company (International company) have cancelled all but absolutely necessary travel and travel in and out of certain countries is completely banned. DH commutes to work weekly, travelling through Heathrow twice a week. (And then travelling via bus and train every day to and from the office.) He hasn’t been told to work from home yet, but I will admit that I wish he is soon. I am kind of expecting an announcement in the next week or so to that effect, so we are just hoping the decision comes when he is at home rather than in London as we don’t want him to be stuck there.

Bonkers.

Yes it's a long way to go, but if you are travelling during company time and using a fully expensed company car, then I can't see the dilemma.

If the HO is in London, how are HO staff supposed to get there if not by train? Surely the majority of London workers travel by train?

I'm on a London train now having also been on a flight and underground. I've touched very little and washed hands often. I washed my hands when I got on the train and have bought some anti bac hand wipes which I used to wipe down the tray, arm rest and window ledge. You can't avoid people or life.

My husband can’t drive due to a medical condition

Oh well, the OP definitely shouldn’t drive then

Good job the NHS isn't taking the same stance. How would people with Covid 19 complications be treated if the nurses and doctors weren't allowed on public transport?

@Whitegrenache

Remember not to ask @Comefromaway 's husband for a lift!

its seems a little short sighted. Would be better to pay for first class train. At the end of the day as others have said - you will need to stop at service stations, is the training in a hotel or the head office - and if traveling that far you should be staying in hotel and boom same exposure

My DH (international company) has cancelled all air travel and is asking anyone even without symptoms who has been to the listed 'countries of concern' to work from home/self isolate on full pay.

I'm an American who never fails to boggle at the idea that 275 miles is such a long trip that it'd be worth fussing over! The other day we drove 1000 miles with the children in the vehicle, stopping only to refuel ourselves or the car.

Half a day's drive for necessary training doesn't seem too out of line, but I am often told by UK friends that Americans like me have a distorted view of what's normal to do for a job!

That's a bit sneaky isn't it?

You're an adult-you can surely travel how you wish-but if you take the train they won't pay??

Staying in hotel and coming back Thursday - there is no dilemma - I have to go and I'm fully prepared to do that, and i have fully expensed company car and all day Monday to travel. I had bought my train ticket and this will be reimbursed but I'm just trying to understand the logic of the decision. Especially when in theory I could go into central London this weekend in my own spare time and or catch anything in service stations and the hotel! Anyway was just a musing to see what everyone's opinion was and to see if other companies are doing this.

@TimeForPlentyIn2020 @jemimapuddlecat - feel better now do you?