How far would you travel for work trip without a hotel?

[HappyKite2067]

Quite a quick one:

I have three training days coming up, and although my petrol will be paid for, accommodation will not. The training is 2 hours away (4 hour round trip). It’s for three days, so 12 hours driving in 3 days, should I be pushing for a hotel or is the drive reasonable?

One hour max otherwise I’d want a hotel.

Push for a hotel. Definitely.

Two hours each way is supposed to be lit outer limit but some of the more gruesome managers insist on interpreting this as 2 hours above what your commute to the office could have been. If you have a long commute to the office you could end up in big trouble. I am an audit associate and my bosses are arseholes.4 hours driving over the cost of a travelodge is in no one’s interests. Ask for a hotel

Definitely push for a hotel, training courses tend to be pretty draining even without a 2 hour drive there and back.

I was going to say 2 hours, so you are right on my border.
I think it would be reasonable to ask if that is what you would prefer to do. Whether I would actually want to stay in a hotel would depend on length of day, whether there is a nice hotel nearby, and who/what is waiting at home for me!

If it were only one day, 2 hours each way is doable, but to do that commute 3 days on the run is too much, IMO.

Two hours is borderline for me. Often I'd prefer to go home if it's really definitely up to a 2hr drive but if there's likely delays due to traffic taking it over that then I might prefer to ask for a hotel.

My regular workplace is 2 hours away and they provide a hotel so I don't have to go there and back in the same day. For a one off training course, 2 nights in a hotel won't break the bank!

I'd do two hours each way maximum but only for one day, if it was three consecutive days I'd be expecting to stay over. Especially for training, two hours each way for a one hour meeting, not so bad. But with full training days that's too much.

My own commute is 1.75 hours anyway, but I only do it max twice a week and not consecutively usually.

My normal commute is just under two hours each way, and I typically go one day a week. I occasionally do three days in a row, and it's bloody exhausting. But as a one-off, it's okay.

I would check the hours of the training and if there's any expectation to also join dinners or similar...

I would absolutely be pushing for a hotel! Depending how many miles your are driving, the cost might actually be similar or less to get a hotel vs the cost of milage that distance back and forth each day!
Also, if you are working 4 extra hrs a day to travel, can you claim TOIL?

False economy to pay for mileage and not a hotel. Push for accommodation.

So look at costs- either 2 nights in hotel and 4 hours drive…or 12 hours drive…need to know mileage and what mileage rate they will pay

if there is less than £50 difference, state staying overnight is more reasonable due to tiredness and giving visit your full energy

also throw in about what will happen if delays on road….

and throw in about EHS : are they expecting you to work bc a full 8 ht day plus 4 hour commute each day? Then complete your normal hours that week…look at work directive. Talk to them bc about safety of you driving 2 hour after a full day

Hate to mention this..,I sadly went to an off site team meeting for full day where my boss was killed in a collision driving home in the dark, on unfamiliar roads after a full busy day. He was just 39. Just married. 20 years ago now but it still shocks me. Traffic accidents are high for those that drive for business as part of their work . They don’t get the same EHS training and restrictions as say lorry drivers and other professional drivers.

I’d agree - in itself 2 hours each way is fine. But not 3 days in a row - that makes no sense. A hotel for 2 nights would be what I’d want.

The mileage allowance must mean a hotel is a very similar cost to the company

If it starts and finishes at usual work time and that two hours is personal time I would be asking for time in lieu or a hotel, whichever suits your lifestyle

We're expected to do up to two hours but that does sound a lot for 3 days in a row. Although we are allowed to consider normal traffic for the time of day, so I stay over when going somewhere theoretically 2 hours away as I live in London and can't get anywhere very far without using the M25 which is awful in rush hour ( actually I usually get the train as it's quicker (but not less than 2 hours and less tiring)

I'd push for a hotel, if they won't provide you with one I'd contemplate a Travelodge for myself if I could get a cheap enough one and enjoy a few nights to myself without children and chores. Id look up tickets at local theatre / take a new book with me and some nice bits from M&S

It's madness to be expected to do this 3 days on the run. I'd want 2 nights in a hotel.

For one day 2 hours would be my limit to drive, I'd prefer an hour and a half though.

Hotel.

I'd do it once a week without accommodation but three days in a row.

Our company policy is 2 hrs (each way) before they will fork out for a hotel. However, for 3 consecutive days like this, I'd be pushing for them to consider a hotel due to the accumulation of driving hours. Would the 4 hours' driving time make the day extremely long or will it be feasible for you to drive during your normal working hours so you arrive event you're travelling for mid-morning and leave mid-afternoon?

If not and the event was Mon-Weds, I'd compromise with sucking up an early start on Monday, request a hotel Monday and Tuesday night and accept that I'd be late home after the event on Wednesday.

Three days in a row, four hours driving plus a full working work, every day...I suggest you're verging on invalidating your car insurance. I'd check.

Your co. would probably be liable if you had a crash because they are demanding ludicrous hours.

You need a hotel.

Yes I’ve done the same a few times. If company is really firm on not booking a hotel I’ve found a cheap-ish option and had a few days away. Picky bits in the room after a nice peaceful bath.

How long is the training?

If an hour or 2 shorter than your working day then maybe
Same as your working day plus 4 hours x 3 days driving? Not a chance.

Do you have an HR manual with guidelines?

Either max 2 hrs one way or if I have to leave home before 7am.

I would also count travelling time (I wfh) as part of my working day so would take that time back in lieu if it pushed my day inc travel over 7.5hrs.