Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Work Trip Dilemma

155 replies

EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 00:42

Hi,

I work for an overseas government.

There’s a big meeting scheduled at HQ next month. My boss advocated for me to go - great!

Catch is that it’s a 12.5hr overnight flight (Monday), straight into work (Tuesday), two full days of meetings, fly home after last meeting (Thursday).

My boss is travelling Business, me Economy.
Total journey time ~16hrs.

Struggle to sleep on flights at the best of times, will be broken and not my best self with my new colleagues and management (been here 5 months). Plus feel a bit devalued.

Proposed to fly indirect at a fraction of of the cost (in Business) but not allowed.
Choice of carrier means can’t even use my own loyalty points to upgrade.

Should I suck it up, get back in my box and feel grateful?

Thoughts welcome and don’t want to be unreasonable. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 22:58

pickywatermelon · 27/06/2026 00:47

That’s pretty terrible. When I think back to times travelling when I was early in career that would have been fine - a good adventure and I had more energy - but now travelling long haul for work if not business frankly I am going to be a tired mess.

Is there any room to go a day or so early if the flights classes are watched over so much?

Your suggestion of indirect business seems the most sensible to me

Thank you for the suggestion. Going out early/staying on is also against company policy but what I'll realistically need to push for - and way more cost effective!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:01

Thank you, probably will have to tbh. It's the having to work on arrival which is the daunting aspect.

OP posts:
TeaAndMadeiraCake · 27/06/2026 23:01

onmylastnerveseriously · 27/06/2026 11:35

This is very unusual, very senior ppl usually set their own schedules

Show quote history

He does. Company just likes to save money, I think. I did ask him once about it but he felt he couldn't justify the expense or something. I know hes' used air miles to upgrade occasionally. He's a bit like that at home about spending money on himself too, so I can see it, though he's got better about that over the years a bit.

Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:03

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated, will give these tips a go :)

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:05

Eelge · 27/06/2026 06:06

Is there a time difference as well on top of that?

I couldn't physically do it, even flying 10/11 hours and then going straight to bed before meetings the next day leaves me a wreck these days.

Yep, there's a 7hr time difference. Hard agree but my options are rock & hard place methinks.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:06

MyDuvetDay · 27/06/2026 06:36

Is there a reason why you couldn’t fly there a day earlier so you have a day to recover before the meetings start?

Company policy not to go early or stay on. But will need to push for this as a more cost effective solution for them!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:08

Helpfullright · 27/06/2026 06:48

I do this exact schedule 4 times a year in business and it’s bloody tough and only an hour time difference on 2 of them. Throw in a time difference going east and it’s a killer

I would ask to see the business travel policy as different travel classes is diabolical. Most is based on travel hours

Edited
Show quote history

Spot on with NORMAL travel policies. This one is so shonky and we don't even have a TMC so bookings, fares, duty of care... all chaotic and sub-optimal.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:10

MyDuvetDay · 27/06/2026 06:36

Is there a reason why you couldn’t fly there a day earlier so you have a day to recover before the meetings start?

Going out early/staying on is also against company policy but what I'll realistically need to push for - and way more cost effective!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:11

Purpleturtle45 · 27/06/2026 06:32

I think that's really poor that your boss is business and you are economy. No way could I focus going straight into a meeting after an overnight flight.

I think if they won't compromise on the method of travel then you should be able to go a day earlier to get a sleep before the meetings.

Hard agree, thank you. Going out early/staying on is also against company policy but what I'll realistically need to push for - and way more cost effective!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:16

Cabin subject to seniority - which would be more palatable if we weren't travelling together.
But yes, you're point about value/importance is interesting and one I may use to query how this is being managed/presented to me.
Honestly, the thing worrying me is having to be on top form with little to no sleep for 24hrs.
Thank you.

OP posts:
hereforthelolz · 27/06/2026 23:21

It seems like the crux here is that’s he’s on his business and you’re not? If he was in economy this would be a non-discussion.

It’s pretty normal in corporate where it’s very hierarchical. He’s earned his right- hopefully one day you’ll earn yours.

In the meantime. I’d suck it up, especially if it works in my favour for career development. Sure; it’s not pleasant but nobody is going to come to any harm.

Original poster
EmmaJBas · 27/06/2026 23:59

TeaAndMadeiraCake · 27/06/2026 09:01

Seems strange. Not sure how it should make any difference to them. They're paying for a flight anyway. I guess they don't want to fund an extra night in accommodation?

Edited
Show quote history

Which is barking as a hotel night is peanuts comparatively!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:01

topcat2014 · 27/06/2026 06:57

Long haul economy is not as bad as Ryanair

Nooo... rather Ryanair shorthaul tbh!

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:04

hereforthelolz · 27/06/2026 23:21

It seems like the crux here is that’s he’s on his business and you’re not? If he was in economy this would be a non-discussion.

It’s pretty normal in corporate where it’s very hierarchical. He’s earned his right- hopefully one day you’ll earn yours.

In the meantime. I’d suck it up, especially if it works in my favour for career development. Sure; it’s not pleasant but nobody is going to come to any harm.

He is a she! And actually, my main issue is having to get off that long flight into a 7hr time difference and straight into work. Don't tend to sleep on flights and trying to do that sitting up in a tight seat not optimal... that would be 24hrs without sleep. Anyway, will stop fretting and accept it. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:08

TinyBlueDent · 27/06/2026 09:02

It's work, not a holiday or jolly - it's not intended to be enjoyable. You should, however, be able to be productive while you're out there. So it's understandable that you're concerned the travel conditions aren't conducive, but stop framing it as if the travel itself is a perk or honour - it's not, it's just a means of getting you to be present at meetings in person.

Absolutely not looking at this as a perk (long disavowed of this for work) and, as you say, it's about conditions to perform, create a good first impression on new colleagues, etc. Will have to manage best I can. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:09

MolkosTeenageAngst · 27/06/2026 09:12

If your boss was flying economy as well I’d suck it up, but the fact he is being flown business and you are being flown economy would make me refuse to go on principle. I’d also start looking elsewhere, I wouldn’t want to work somewhere so hierarchical. People should be treated equally regardless of position if they’re being asked to carry out the same tasks.

I know, right. It's a very hierarchical organisation and culture so not much I can do about that but it's hard to stomach at times. Btw, he is a she!
Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:13

SecretCS · 27/06/2026 09:13

Can you check what your travel policy says about class of travel? Im a Civil Servant and our policies tend to either be - everyone travelling over x hours distance regardless of grade goes premium / business, or - you are allowed to book an extra night before in the hotel / take a day on the return to recover but fly economy, because the cost of this is inevitably much less than than the difference between economy and business. The only time ive ever flown a different class to my manager was due to a very short notice trip, high demand for flights and i had to be back for the weekend for childcare. Plus he was about a ft taller than me so i didnt mind deferring to him. I definitely think its worth challenging again.

That all makes sense in a normal org. Mine isn't! The travel policy (and organisation and country) is very hierarchical unfortunately.
Travelling earlier/staying on also not permitted even though it's a no brainer and far more cost effective. Honestly, it's barking.

OP posts:
CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan · 28/06/2026 00:14

I wouldn’t go because I’d be useless when I got there,so the value would be nil to the organisation. I’m not at all clear why you’re doing this-is there any career benefit, and will it still be a benefit if you screw up from sleep deprivation?

Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:16

TeaAndMadeiraCake · 27/06/2026 09:15

If you're struggling with perimenopausal symptoms and sleep, can you get your doctor to endorse premium travel rather than economy?

Improved HRT would be a start and that's not on offer lol. Will have to go along with it I fear. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:17

DancingNotDrowning · 27/06/2026 09:15

Good for you.

I suspect because it’s government you’ll be told computer says no and that is that, but in a world where my office chair is assessed for ergonomics and I’m expected to use all sorts of H&S appropriate “workstation” set ups it’s absolutely absurd that sleeping upright and then performing a days work is deemed acceptable.

Show quote history

Love this! Might quote it back :)

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 28/06/2026 00:19

Comefromaway · 27/06/2026 01:02

Frankly, I’d refuse to go. I need my sleep & can’t function without.

your boss going business & you economy is insulting.

That can be a career killer in some places. I'd suck it up if I ever wanted any form of promotion there.

Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:20

hereforthelolz · 27/06/2026 23:21

It seems like the crux here is that’s he’s on his business and you’re not? If he was in economy this would be a non-discussion.

It’s pretty normal in corporate where it’s very hierarchical. He’s earned his right- hopefully one day you’ll earn yours.

In the meantime. I’d suck it up, especially if it works in my favour for career development. Sure; it’s not pleasant but nobody is going to come to any harm.

He is a she! It's less the cabin of travel tbh, more the expectation to come off such a long flight and with a big time difference straight into work and be expected to be on top of my game. I'm a terrible sleeper on flights at the best of times and trying do that sitting upright in a tight seat fills me with dread - it'll be 24hrs without sleep. No matter. Will have to suck it up. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:22

CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan · 28/06/2026 00:14

I wouldn’t go because I’d be useless when I got there,so the value would be nil to the organisation. I’m not at all clear why you’re doing this-is there any career benefit, and will it still be a benefit if you screw up from sleep deprivation?

Believe me, attending is seen as a perk. But I'm also seriously questioning the whole trip and may push back, even if it's career-limiting.

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaJBas · 28/06/2026 00:24

IDontHateRainbows · 28/06/2026 00:19

That can be a career killer in some places. I'd suck it up if I ever wanted any form of promotion there.

Show quote history

All three points of view here are valid. Really conflicted but think I'll have to go along with it. Thank you.

OP posts:
Whatabouterry · 28/06/2026 00:27

I think the fact your boss advocated for you to go suggests this wasn’t necessarily a core budget spend. And I’m assuming your boss will be the one that is really having to step up when they are there whereas your role is to get experience in, hence the need for them to travel business.
Obviously these are all assumptions, but in that case it’s up to you whether you want to take the opportunity or not. If it’s not imperative that you go then I would see no reason for them to increase the budget spend in this instance if your boss could easily do the trip alone.

Swipe left for the next trending thread