Travelling abroad next week?

[rosesinmygarden]

A woman I work with is taking her whole family abroad to visit family for 5 weeks, flying out next week.

Is this actually allowed?

A family member of hers passed away in the new year and she went to the same country for the funeral. I can't understand how they are allowed to go abroad for 5 weeks at the moment for what is basically an extended family visit/holiday?

I'm genuinely interested under which exemption this is allowed as I thought travelling abroad was essentially nammed apart for work or medical type reasons.

there could well be a compassionate reason but doubtful that everyone 'has to go'. Hopefully she and her family will fully isolate when they return. They might get stopped going.

It does sound dodgy though. I'd put in the same category as people who are using the 'unpaid carer' card to get a vaccine when in fact they are just parents like the rest of us.

I'm going to be picking up most of her work, unpaid

What sort of job do you have that doesn't pay you for hours done?

I am a little bitter yes. I'm going to be picking up most of her work, unpaid, while she's away having a lovely holiday with her family. They plan on visiting various relatives in various parts of the country to 'reconnect' and 'share memories of the relative who passed'.

Have you raised this with your employer? I'm surprised they have waved her off on a five week trip. What about the self-isolation when she gets back?

Almost certainly you have no idea what's going on in her personal life - perhaps she is solely responsible for sorting the deceased's affairs and finances and in which case she would have a business/commerce exemption

We work from home so isolation is probably not an issue as far as work are concerned.

We are all contracted though and expected to cover each other's holidays/sickness. We do a similar role so I'm the best suited person to cover her work. Sadly, it will mean longer hours and as I'm salaried we don't get overtime. It's not unusual in our line of work but it does normally even out over the year. That's not the case at the moment though. Everyone is pitching in and doing extra, except her.

I completely admit I'm probably being a bit bitter and twisted, but most of my colleagues feel the same. I don't believe she has a genuine reason to be leaving the country. I do believe she's using a loophole to have a lovely holiday, along with her husband and kids and it has changed my opinion of her. I'm not going to say anything to her in real life as there's no point. She regularly asks a lot of favours of others though and often expects exceptions to be made for her. Unfortunately, my goodwill towards her has now disappeared and I'll be far less accommodating whenever it's a choice from now onwards.

@YukoandHiro

Almost certainly you have no idea what's going on in her personal life - perhaps she is solely responsible for sorting the deceased's affairs and finances and in which case she would have a business/commerce exemption

She's specifically told us that's not the case. I've mentioned it upthread.

My original question has been answered thank you. There are indeed a number of reasons why you can legally leave the country.

I may well be being unreasonable to disbelieve her and to feel peed off. But I have my reasons. If you read the full thread, you'll probably realise why but I'm sure some if you will still tell me I'm wrong.

Your work is a completely separate issue. You should concentrate on that and not why she's leaving the country. You need to tell your manager you can't cover her work for 5 weeks as that is too long to do extra for. They will need to come up with something else, her holiday/travel is their problem and not yours.

@Racoonworld

Your work is a completely separate issue. You should concentrate on that and not why she's leaving the country. You need to tell your manager you can't cover her work for 5 weeks as that is too long to do extra for. They will need to come up with something else, her holiday/travel is their problem and not yours.

Thanks, but I'm not asking advice about work and you have no idea how my industry works.

As I said, my original question has been answered.

@Violetlavenders

They're leaving their 16 year old home alone for 5 weeks?

I lived on my own from 16. My parents moved over 200 miles away but I wanted to finish college. I managed just fine.

If you feel like you will be buried under a lot of work, then you should speak to your manager and get that sorted and you can also bring up the issue of wanting to be paid for the extra time your putting in.

Had covid not happened and she did go away with her family, you would still be picking up the workload so not sure how valid your point.

@Liveandletlive3

If you feel like you will be buried under a lot of work, then you should speak to your manager and get that sorted and you can also bring up the issue of wanting to be paid for the extra time your putting in.

Had covid not happened and she did go away with her family, you would still be picking up the workload so not sure how valid your point.

If COVID hadn't happened there wouldn't be half the team on furlough leaving me as the only person who can pick up most of her work. So my point is completely valid, thank you.

As I've said, my original question has been answered. I don't need or want, nor have I asked for advice about work. It's not fair or right but it is the way it is.

No it's not allowed but whether they get caught is another matter. If they are dual nationals they can travel through the airport this end on Indian passports

Hmmm, well we shall see.

I'm glad I've had a rant on here rather than at the colleague.
This morning two other people have made comments to her about the travel ban being introduced and she just started ranting that she 'has' to go to spend time with family and honour her relatives memory.
Its all blown up into quite a nasty argument over What's app.
I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and my opinions off of What's app I think.