New job and overnight travel

[OneLilacGuide]

Just started new job recently, in the interview I was told we would “get out and about a bit”. I have come to find that it’s mostly overnight trips several times a month and often 3/4 nights away and this week I was told that the plan was for me to lead the work on trips away. So as not to drip feed, it’s a career change for me but I knew the organisation, my team are the only team that go out.

The problem is, I can’t commit to this due to other life commitments. I also really hate being away from home - I have GAD but I am fine for the most part, just some things can send me into a spin.

I will admit partial fault as I should asked more about the travel given the geographical area the job covers but I just assumed it was day trips. I was also really desperate to get away from my previous very toxic workplace.

I am going to raise it at my mid-probation period chat but I’d love some perspective here, if overnight travel is required, should it be discussed as part of the application process/interview?

There are other aspects of the job I’m not enjoying so guess I’ll stick it out for a while and then go back to job hunting 😩

Ah. Maybe industry dependent but 'getting out and about a bit' for mine would describe regular, overnight travel. They could have clarified more but you also could've asked them to expand. Is it covered in your contact? Mine is vaguely worded but realistically they can (and do!) ask me to go anywhere.

Depending on the role and how much they want you, I'd prepare to start job hunting if you tell them it's not something you can do. Sorry!

Hmm, you should have asked for details at interview stage really.

If you don't want to do it though are there compromises? Travelling during the day to avoid overnights etc?

I would have expected this to be set out at interview. Now you're in the job I think a chat with your line manager to gauge expectations is needed.

Having travelled for work myself in the past I think if you are already feeling negative about it, then maybe it's not for you. I didn't like being away from home and it never got better - but would sometimes work a longer day to avoid staying over. In time this became unsustainable.

Not trying to be negative, just feel like this sort of job is a bit marmite and I'd be asking what work expect and seeing if I could negotiate my preferred set up.

It was discussed at interview. There was a miscommunication about what the phrasing meant, but presumably with the role it would have been a little obvious it wasn't just going down the road for a meeting? If you have an issue with travelling overnight for work, why wouldn't you raise that in interviews? I always made it clear from the outset that as a very occasional thing it was ok but I couldn't do it on the regular.

If you can't cope with travelling you will need to tell them. Regardless of what was said at interview, you aren't suitable for the role they hired you for. They can't change the role to suit you.

Thanks all, there isn’t really an industry standard and no it wasn’t obvious from the role. Like I say this team is the only one in the organisation that do this travel, even though roles are actually very similar across the teams. But yes I should have asked and I’m very disappointed now.