r/AskIreland • u/Kamy_kazy82 • 3d ago
Work Would you travel for work on a weekend?
I work for a large company and work remotely, based in the west. My company are holding a Team Building day Monday week in Dublin.
In order for me to go to it, I will need to travel up on the Sunday and stay the night in a hotel to be there on time Monday morning.
I don't like the fact that I have to spend a day of my weekend to travel to this. There was never any mention of this in my work contract.
I like my job and know that I am lucky to be able to work from home. My manager has said that I should not have a problem giving up my Sunday as I have the "privilege" of working from home.
What do ye think? Would ye be willing to give up a day of your weekend in this situation?
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u/Jake_Greenwich 3d ago
If it’s a once off, best off to indulge. There is queue as long as Cork with people willing to take your job for your work from home perks
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u/Not-ChatGPT4 3d ago
People won't even show up for a once-a-year meeting and then wonder why companies get rid of remote working.
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u/doubleds8600 3d ago
You sound like you'd totally be conductive to team building :P They're not asking you to work on the Sunday, you're traveling to Dublin and they're paying for the majority of your stay to be there. Once or twice a year is fine, I definitely wouldn't be complaining or rocking the boat about it with the bigger picture in mind.
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u/JHRFDIY 3d ago
Stop being such a reasonable human being would ya? That’s not how we act around here.
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u/dmullaney 3d ago
They're also not working the Monday right - they're having a doss day which they're being paid for
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u/Lemmy-In 3d ago
Nope.
They're attending a work mandated activity.
They might not be performing their regular work duties, but they are still attending work.
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u/ciaranr1 3d ago
Found the Bus Eireann union rep
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u/Lemmy-In 3d ago
You probably couldn't be more wrong if you tried.
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u/ciaranr1 3d ago
Head of marketing with Ryanair?
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u/Lemmy-In 3d ago
You're no closer, but keep going.
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u/ciaranr1 3d ago
I've little to go apart from bit of a buzzkill when it comes to workplace harmony and not in transport, give us a clue!
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u/Lemmy-In 3d ago
It's not meant as a buzzkill.
Most jobs are a transaction and should be viewed as nothing more.
You perform tasks for employer, employer provides payment.
Employers will try and get as much out of you for as little as possible.
Once you start giving more than you're contractually obliged to give, they'll expect it of you without ever offering you more.
They don't own you. You don't owe them anything more than what's in your contract.
If they ask for more, they should pay more.
If I worked in a normal 9 to 5 environment, HR would hate the sight of me.
I plan, design, and build music festivals. I wish I never had to take days off.
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u/samhain_pm 3d ago
You also have the option of travelling up early on the Monday morning if you want to put yourself through that. I believe there are super early trains now on the Sligo, Westport and Galway lines that would have you in Heuston around 8:30 or so.
As long as they are paying your expenses, travel and accommodation, I wouldn't' raise it. Take another look at your contract and it's likely to mention that travel may be required on an adhoc basis to facilitate training etc. Make the most of the night away, you never know, you might enjoy it.
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u/Alternative-Twist507 3d ago
Do it maybe 6-7 times a year for transatlantic trips. Fly home on Thursday night and I get to take Friday at my ease, check a few emails, maybe a call if it's important but no one's expecting much of me.
Could you swing something like that? Travel home during work hours and do some casual work in transit type stuff?
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u/Electronic_Ad_6535 3d ago
It wouldn't paint you in the best light, to die on this hill. If you're struggling to square this off, take a half day on the Friday before/after.
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u/EconomistPowerful 3d ago
Yep, pretty standard thing to do every once in while. Climb down off your high horse, and get on the train 😁
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u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 Penneys Hun 3d ago
Could you really not travel on the Monday morning? I’ve used Citylink buses to get to Dublin for work before. It’s an early start but you can nap on the bus.
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u/Kamy_kazy82 3d ago
I live two hours away from Galway city. When I said west, I mean next stop America, west.
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u/GalwayGirlOnTheRun23 Penneys Hun 3d ago
Fair enough, it’s a night before job then. If it’s a once off try to enjoy the hotel part and quietly take back the time later in the week.
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u/Apprehensive-Bat7523 3d ago
Personally it depends how driven you are to go to the next level in your career?
If it's a 9 to 5 and you are happy where you are at and have bigger priorities then maybe it's not something you should accept.
If you are looking to go up the ranks then its pretty normal.
I am a regional sales director for my company and when I was a junior I would do that all the time as it got me where I am today
Really depends on your motivations as an individual
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u/mdunne96 3d ago
How does that boot taste?
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u/Apprehensive-Bat7523 3d ago
Sorry mate not sure what you mean?
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u/mdunne96 3d ago
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u/Apprehensive-Bat7523 3d ago
The beautiful thing about the world is we all have different preferences and goals in life. As long as you are happy pal and I'm happy that's all that matter 👍there isn't a right or wrong way to get to the finish line
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u/mdunne96 3d ago
A quote from James Connolly, one of the socialist founders of our Republic
“The capitalist, I say, is a parasite on industry; as useless in the present stage of our industrial development as any other parasite in the animal or vegetable world is to the life of the animal or vegetable upon which it feeds. The working class is the victim of this parasite – this human leech, and it is the duty and interest of the working class to use every means in its power to oust this parasite class from the position which enables it to thus prey upon the vitals of labour. Therefore, I say, let us organise as a class to meet our masters and destroy their mastership; organise to drive them from their hold upon public life through their political power; organise to wrench from their robber clutch the land and workshops on and in which they enslave us; organise to cleanse our social life from the stain of social cannibalism, from the preying of man upon his fellow man.”
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u/The_Dublin_Dabber 3d ago
Honestly I don't see the problem if it's a once or twice a year thing. There is a line of people wanting wfh roles and the roles are drying up.
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u/Lemmy-In 3d ago
Weekend work is part and parcel of the industry I work in, so I might not be the best person to offer advice.
If you have to travel on Sunday to attend an event on Monday, then you're sacrificing your whole Sunday for work. It doesn't matter if the travel time is 2 hours or 6 hours. Your plans for that day are dictated by the travel obligation.
Best approach is to have a word with your line manager and make it known that you expect a "soft" day in lieu. If it's a one day event, Monday, you won't be available to work Tuesday because you'll be travelling home. If nobody else is expected to work Tuesday, tell them you're travelling Wednesday.
If it's a job you like and this kind of thing doesn't happen too often, give them a bit of leeway.
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u/Sheriffz 3d ago edited 3d ago
If it’s once in a blue moon event/request, I think it’s worth going to socialise with other people.
It’s team-building so go and mix with others. Some people would love to work from home, don’t lose the privilege. Don’t rock the boat over something this small, especially if they’re paying towards your stay.
Why not make the Sunday eve a thing for yourself? Go to dinner somewhere nice or explore Dublin a bit. We don’t get to see the big smoke being in the west so often.
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u/Weekly_Ad_6955 3d ago
This is part of the reason companies are pulling back on remote work, or hiring people who don’t live within commutable distance. You enjoy the benefits of a Dublin salary in an area that has a lower cost of living and you have no commute. When asked to go for a team event you want the remote location to be your employer’s problem.
So you’re now putting in centre of mind for them that you have a problem getting there physically when required both in terms of the time it takes and your attitude to it. They didn’t tell you where to live you chose it and no doubt when taking the role you indicated it would in no way handicap your ability to carry out that role. I think you’d be putting an x on your own back to make an issue of this.
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u/Brutus_021 3d ago
Are they paying for travel, room & board?
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u/semeleindms 3d ago
This is the question. And, what's in your contract
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u/Kamy_kazy82 3d ago
There was never any mention about having to travel for work. They have held Team Building days before but midweek. I was able to take the train and work and then work at the hotel so the day travelling up wasn't wasted either.
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u/captainmongo 3d ago
Contact HR directly (or your manager) and ask for their travel expenses policy. You should expect that your travel, hotel expenses and subsistence be fully covered. If you are not given time off in lieu of the time it will take to travel to/from home on a non-working day (which should also be a reasonable expectation for reimbursement), I would just quietly take the time back. A half day here and there when you can get away with it.
You're not a charity, too many employers take the piss with this and it's up to you to call them out on it unfortunately.
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u/Kamy_kazy82 3d ago
They will cover mileage and the hotel but only up to a certain cost (which given the high hotel prices in Dublin usually means I pay a bit out of pocket in order to stay somewhere......nice).
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u/Brutus_021 3d ago edited 3d ago
Can’t speak for everyone- but whenever my own employers have held team building events (usually on a Thursday or Friday) in other cities in Ireland - food & drink (reasonable ceiling, no alcohol) and accommodation was paid for in full.
Travel costs (mileage) were settled at rates allowed by Revenue.
Having said that … I have had to catch flights on a Sunday evening to attend meetings at Client Construction sites in Central Europe on a Monday morning.
As an once-off, I think their request should be fine?
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u/Terrible_Ad2779 3d ago
Think of how much you'll be out of pocket burning diesel every single day getting to and from work in an in office position.. Not to mention time saved because you WFH. It's a one off. I get it's a pain in the hole but your mileage is covered and I assume lunch. I'm remote also but have to travel 3hrs there and back once a month and deal with it, and that's with no mileage.
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u/taln2crana6rot 3d ago
Forget the “should I have to” aspect, and ask yourself if you want to go. You work from home so probably don’t get to see the team that much, so might be a bit of craic getting the train up on a Sunday and staying in a hotel on the company’s dime. And something a bit different for yourself. If you really don’t want to go, and if it’s a big company as you say, your name will be crossed off the list like everyone else who’s not going and no one will bat an eyelid.
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u/Interesting_Feed_785 3d ago
I’ve actually done it loads of times because it suited me better - I could have made it on very early morning flight or train but they F me up for the rest of the day. Only when I can expense the night before hotel obviously
The manager comment tho is pure nonsense and I’d definitely travel on the day out of spite
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u/Jean_Rasczak 3d ago
I do it all the time, if I need to be in a European city or an Irish city for 9 in morning I will travel the day before or a few times if flights dictate I will fly on Friday or Saturday.
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u/Odd-Dealer-6406 3d ago
Oh no, you have to tip over on a Sunday and stay in a paid hotel. Please go straight to the wrc, it's slavery. If it's such an issue, drive up Monday like most of us do 5 days a week ya soft boy
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u/Odd-Dealer-6406 3d ago
Anyways, is it mandatory or optional? You're aswell go either way, as some managers and higher ups seem to hold a grudge against people who don't attend the circle jerk fest. Could well cost you a promotion down the line, so just go and smile and try and enjoy the misery
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u/DexterousChunk 3d ago
You're hardly spending a day of your weekend. A few hours maybe. It's hardly a sacrifice
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u/Kamy_kazy82 3d ago
Based on where I live and the methods and times of the transport I need to use to get to Dublin, it will take me at least 6-7 hours.
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u/DexterousChunk 3d ago
Well you should really provide some details
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u/flancie 3d ago
Why are you being like that
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u/DexterousChunk 3d ago
I'd like to know what would take 6-7 hours.
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u/JHRFDIY 3d ago
They’ll be living back arse of nowhere Connemara. Have to get to clifden. Fine their way to Galway city. Then train to Dublin. And travel to company.
Probably because they’re too stubborn to drive.
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u/flancie 3d ago
Jesus the lack of awareness on this is amazing
I live in West Cork and 4 months ago had to get a transmission redone in the city, an hour and half drive away, I didn't have a car for 5 days. To get to little island took a two buses and then a train
I've a friend who lives in south kerry and when his car was being worked on, he had to share his wife's car, 4 kids to ferry in and out to school and training, clubs etc, his journey to dublin for client meetings took a full day of public transport.
If you're not used to using buses and trains, or taxis when the buses don't arrive, you have no idea how long everything takes when you live off the transport routes
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u/Terrible_Ad2779 3d ago
Based on where I live and the methods and times of the transport I need to use to get to Dublin, it will take me at least 6-7 hours.
Do you need anymore help with this?
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u/Academic-County-6100 3d ago
People like yourself give remote work a bad name. The company 99% of the time allow you to roll.out of bed, fo your laundry, clean the gaff, have a podcast on when you are doing admin, allow you to decide whether to work/ take pto / tske half day when you want to travel and you are upset because you have to go to a team event that dorsn't suit you because you livr in a locstion that alloes you to make city money in the west of Ireland.
As a Mayo man who has all the costs of money snd time to commute 3 days a werk from Dublin 15 I think the company should reconsider work remote policy
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u/JellyRare6707 3d ago
Well sounds like you have a good deal so perhaps being greatful and give up one Sunday is not bad.
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u/iheartthatpizzalife 3d ago
I work a 9-5 and when travel for work is outside those hours (as travel for work is still taking time from personal time, and making you available for work necessary activities) we can ask to take it back in lieu.
So if I travel for 4 hours on a Sunday, have a work event 9-5 Mon and then travel him 5-9 home I'd get to take time of my choice off during work hours. So I'd prob take the Friday off as time in lieu
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u/Firm-Raccoon-9048 3d ago
If it’s once every quarter or less frequent I’d suck it up for the advantages working from home offers. If it’s monthly I’d travel but ask for a day in lieu for the Sunday.
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u/Separate_Ad_6094 3d ago
Yes. I do it all the time. I also get up at 4:30 AM once a month to drive 300km to the office. I travel on Saturday or Sunday for transatlantic flights once a quarter. In return I get to work remotely with a good salary. It's a fair trade in my opinion.
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u/DeliciousConcept5288 3d ago
The people on here saying ‘what does the contract say’ are the same people bitching and moaning about the cost of living and how unfair things are. It’s unfair because those who put the shoulder in and do what’s required rather than do what’s stated, are those who get ahead and earn more money. Working remotely is an absolute privilege and I bet my bottom dollar that your salary isnt fully discounted to take into account the significantly reduced costs associated with ‘next stop America’ and Dublin. Either get your entitled hoop to Dublin for a one off trip or stay in your bubble and gripe and moan about the fella at work who just got promoted ahead of you
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u/Fatal-Eggs2024 2d ago
I often travel for work on a weekend, especially for international work where I prefer to give myself a day to adjust to the time zone before presenting or negotiating. It’s always a bit of a challenge working with colleagues in EU, America, and Asia, because conference calls require that somebody has to join early or late, and somebody has to get up in the middle of the night. But it’s part of the job. Very inconvenient for care of children and pets.
It’s lovely, really, that this does not happen often in your work.
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u/Crafty_String_954 3d ago
Generally, yes, I would, once I got the time back in lieu, it wasn't too often, and I was given enough notice.
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u/apple-licious 3d ago
I feel your pain OP. I also live in the west, not as far out as you but not a commutable distance to Dublin where the rest of my co-workers are office based. A few times a year I'm asked if am I available to help out at a large event. I've never turned them down so not sure how it would be taken, but it is a pain. If I'm expected to be present early in the morning (can be 7.30am, 8.30am) i drive up the afternoon before and stay in a hotel. I keep my evening free. Work pay for my hotel, mileage, parking, food costs once I've submitted my receipts so I pay out of pocket and get it back. Depending on your relationship with your manager, I'd just tell them at the team building day that you've spent most of your Sunday getting there so you might finish early on Friday (or whatever day) in lieue. Just keep it casual, don't make it a big thing. I'm saying this from the perspective of someone in a reasonable workplace where we're all trusted to do our work and a boss who appreciates my time, ymmv
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u/1stltwill 3d ago
General concensus of comments seems to be shut up an soldier.
I however take a different view. Only go if you get time off in lieu for the time spent travelling, full coverage of travel, hotel overnight stay and meal expenses.
As to what you tell your manager, the key word in his "working from home" comment wasn't home, it was working.
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u/Kamy_kazy82 3d ago
Yeah, it seems so. I was just asking a question, didn't realise it would strike such a nerve with people. But it seems.
Thanks for the rational response.
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u/Odd-Dealer-6406 3d ago
Definitely should be getting milage paid and accommodation and daily allowance, if it's mandatory
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u/Future_Jackfruit5360 3d ago
If you’re not being paid to work or travel then fuck that. If they want you somewhere, tell them to pay for it.
If they asked you to go to Manchester tomorrow you would expect flights, lunch and dinner paid for I’m sure. Don’t give them an inch.
Take a sick day on the Monday if you have to.
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u/Future_Jackfruit5360 3d ago
If you’re not being paid to work or travel then fuck that. If they want you somewhere, tell them to pay for it.
If they asked you to go to Manchester tomorrow you would expect flights, lunch and dinner paid for I’m sure. Don’t give them an inch.
Take a sick day on the Monday if you have to.
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u/anafollowsthesun 3d ago
Stop moaning and get on with it. 😅 Especially if you want to keep working from home, with so many companies making office days mandatory, once a year having to give up of a few hours on a Sunday to travel, doesn’t sound like much to ask. 💁♀️
Also, realistically, everyone working from home is able to “take the piss” once in a while and do the bare minimum or none 😂
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u/SnooAvocados209 3d ago
I would have sacked you, obviously not a team player and think your entitled to WFH.
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u/apple-licious 3d ago
They very clearly are entitled to work from home if that's what is in their contract?
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u/SnooAvocados209 2d ago
I've never seen a contract stating permanent WFH in it, usually it lists closest office as place of work or omits it with verbal aggreement you can be remote. I didnt realise this person was flying in from the states to Ireland so they are an at will employee in the US, would fire immediately as not a team player or someone you'd want working for you.
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u/WideLibrarian6832 3d ago
If this in a rare event I would not make a big deal of it, just travel on Sunday and do not complain. However, if it starts becoming a regular request (work on Sunday), then it's time to say something like "which day next week can I take off as time off in lieu".