people who work away
Discussion
ReaperCushions said:
I used to travel periodically in the UK and abroad with work. Some observations from me:
- Avoid travelling on sunday evenings as much as possible, it halves your weekend.
- Avoid getting back late on friday nights (combined with above is a killer).
- Restaurant / gastro pub food becomes the norm. Not good for the waistline or having a nice meal out when at home.
- I never liked to do more than 2 days away at any one time if at all possible. Unless a big trip, of course you might not have the choice.
- Make sure you are well paid for what you do, and your companies expenses policy is also generous.
- See as much of the locality as you can, all hotels / taxis / airports blend into one in the end.
- Avoid bad habits like snacking at petrol stations / motorway service stations purely out of boredom.
- When flying, try to work as much as possible during the travel time if your work allows for it. I found that saving emails / calls for when I got home or to the hotel meant it ate into even more of my off time.
I think id get up early on the day i need to travel unless it was over 2 1/2 hours, the days would be random for me- Avoid travelling on sunday evenings as much as possible, it halves your weekend.
- Avoid getting back late on friday nights (combined with above is a killer).
- Restaurant / gastro pub food becomes the norm. Not good for the waistline or having a nice meal out when at home.
- I never liked to do more than 2 days away at any one time if at all possible. Unless a big trip, of course you might not have the choice.
- Make sure you are well paid for what you do, and your companies expenses policy is also generous.
- See as much of the locality as you can, all hotels / taxis / airports blend into one in the end.
- Avoid bad habits like snacking at petrol stations / motorway service stations purely out of boredom.
- When flying, try to work as much as possible during the travel time if your work allows for it. I found that saving emails / calls for when I got home or to the hotel meant it ate into even more of my off time.
It very much depends upon
a. What are you used to doing
b. Can you entertain yourself
c. Does the salary compensate for the separation
This year I have had 9 days off. I travelled to Hong Kong in mid December and didn't return home until mid February. Things have started to settle now with working week on week off.
Pros
a. Working in the same place everyday is boring, when I realised I was working 12 hours a day 5 days a week then on call weekends I had no life. Now when I'm off, I'm off.
b. My wife works in management in the luxury sector, there is no such thing as a weekend so a traditional job for me means we can go 6 weeks without a day together.
c. Financial reward, I doubled my income by working away.
Cons
a. Never unpacking, I have done 3 continents in 3 days and flown at 2 hours notice before, 2 hours notice for wheels up that is, I do not unpack!
b. Hotels, Try and stay in decent hotels, this will make a huge difference to your quality of life. American 5 star is UK 4 star at UK 5 star prices. Middle east 4 star is usually better than US 5 star, try and get a membership with someone like, Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, etc as it will help.
c. you have to be disciplined or you will get fat. I used to either eat one less meal or be as healthy as possible, not ordering off a menu and asking for exactly what I wanted, decent hotels will do this.
c. Sleep, if you have got your work done, sleep when you can as Jet lag is no fun.
In summary 3-4 nights away as it is a fantastic balance, assuming your not working when home.
a. What are you used to doing
b. Can you entertain yourself
c. Does the salary compensate for the separation
This year I have had 9 days off. I travelled to Hong Kong in mid December and didn't return home until mid February. Things have started to settle now with working week on week off.
Pros
a. Working in the same place everyday is boring, when I realised I was working 12 hours a day 5 days a week then on call weekends I had no life. Now when I'm off, I'm off.
b. My wife works in management in the luxury sector, there is no such thing as a weekend so a traditional job for me means we can go 6 weeks without a day together.
c. Financial reward, I doubled my income by working away.
Cons
a. Never unpacking, I have done 3 continents in 3 days and flown at 2 hours notice before, 2 hours notice for wheels up that is, I do not unpack!
b. Hotels, Try and stay in decent hotels, this will make a huge difference to your quality of life. American 5 star is UK 4 star at UK 5 star prices. Middle east 4 star is usually better than US 5 star, try and get a membership with someone like, Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, etc as it will help.
c. you have to be disciplined or you will get fat. I used to either eat one less meal or be as healthy as possible, not ordering off a menu and asking for exactly what I wanted, decent hotels will do this.
c. Sleep, if you have got your work done, sleep when you can as Jet lag is no fun.
In summary 3-4 nights away as it is a fantastic balance, assuming your not working when home.
JD84 said:
It very much depends upon
a. What are you used to doing
b. Can you entertain yourself
c. Does the salary compensate for the separation
This year I have had 9 days off. I travelled to Hong Kong in mid December and didn't return home until mid February. Things have started to settle now with working week on week off.
Pros
a. Working in the same place everyday is boring, when I realised I was working 12 hours a day 5 days a week then on call weekends I had no life. Now when I'm off, I'm off.
b. My wife works in management in the luxury sector, there is no such thing as a weekend so a traditional job for me means we can go 6 weeks without a day together.
c. Financial reward, I doubled my income by working away.
Cons
a. Never unpacking, I have done 3 continents in 3 days and flown at 2 hours notice before, 2 hours notice for wheels up that is, I do not unpack!
b. Hotels, Try and stay in decent hotels, this will make a huge difference to your quality of life. American 5 star is UK 4 star at UK 5 star prices. Middle east 4 star is usually better than US 5 star, try and get a membership with someone like, Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, etc as it will help.
c. you have to be disciplined or you will get fat. I used to either eat one less meal or be as healthy as possible, not ordering off a menu and asking for exactly what I wanted, decent hotels will do this.
c. Sleep, if you have got your work done, sleep when you can as Jet lag is no fun.
In summary 3-4 nights away as it is a fantastic balance, assuming your not working when home.
When im off im off i wouldent be working a. What are you used to doing
b. Can you entertain yourself
c. Does the salary compensate for the separation
This year I have had 9 days off. I travelled to Hong Kong in mid December and didn't return home until mid February. Things have started to settle now with working week on week off.
Pros
a. Working in the same place everyday is boring, when I realised I was working 12 hours a day 5 days a week then on call weekends I had no life. Now when I'm off, I'm off.
b. My wife works in management in the luxury sector, there is no such thing as a weekend so a traditional job for me means we can go 6 weeks without a day together.
c. Financial reward, I doubled my income by working away.
Cons
a. Never unpacking, I have done 3 continents in 3 days and flown at 2 hours notice before, 2 hours notice for wheels up that is, I do not unpack!
b. Hotels, Try and stay in decent hotels, this will make a huge difference to your quality of life. American 5 star is UK 4 star at UK 5 star prices. Middle east 4 star is usually better than US 5 star, try and get a membership with someone like, Marriot, Hilton, Hyatt, etc as it will help.
c. you have to be disciplined or you will get fat. I used to either eat one less meal or be as healthy as possible, not ordering off a menu and asking for exactly what I wanted, decent hotels will do this.
c. Sleep, if you have got your work done, sleep when you can as Jet lag is no fun.
In summary 3-4 nights away as it is a fantastic balance, assuming your not working when home.
, i would only stay in the uk within 2 hr 30 drive of my home and id probably stay in hotels 1-2 nights and do the long commute the other 1-2 dagsI've done this on and off for 5 years. I'd echo what has been discussed here with regards to eating habits, etc. Depending on what mood my company expense policy has been in, i've either stayed at some very nice hotels and passed the time in the gym / swimming pool, or have been resigned to the local travelodge with nothing but a handheld console or "the internet" 
. Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.
The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
. Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
devnull said:
I've done this on and off for 5 years. I'd echo what has been discussed here with regards to eating habits, etc. Depending on what mood my company expense policy has been in, i've either stayed at some very nice hotels and passed the time in the gym / swimming pool, or have been resigned to the local travelodge with nothing but a handheld console or "the internet" . Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.
The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
How many days a week did you do. Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
devnull said:
I've done this on and off for 5 years. I'd echo what has been discussed here with regards to eating habits, etc. Depending on what mood my company expense policy has been in, i've either stayed at some very nice hotels and passed the time in the gym / swimming pool, or have been resigned to the local travelodge with nothing but a handheld console or "the internet" . Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.
The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
How many days a week did you do. Even worse when you are located in the middle of nowhere or a business estate as you can't really go for a walk.The biggest problem I find though is the loss of personal time. Sure, you might not be working, but you are away and in a work mindset, and cannot fully unwind in the evening because it's not your space, or you can't be with your partner and kids.
Fun when you're young, but even in my early thirties, it gets boring.
Not in the UK but for the last 16 1/2 years I work away from home almost every week. I normally have a flight journey between 1 and 2 hours each way (leave on a Sunday morning, back on a Thursday night, my weekend is Friday & Saturday). The exception being Jan / Feb when I was in New York for 4 weeks.
I insisted on an apartment in Muscat as I was not staying in a hotel 40+w weeks of the year in a hotel. Riyadh 2 weeks in / 2 weeks out in a Holiday Inn was depressing.
Whenever possible I only take hand luggage as it saves time waiting for your bags in the arrival hall.
The wife and son have gotten used to me not being around, so much so that if I am home for a week, then I "get in the way".
No sign of working much out of my official office this year either!
I insisted on an apartment in Muscat as I was not staying in a hotel 40+w weeks of the year in a hotel. Riyadh 2 weeks in / 2 weeks out in a Holiday Inn was depressing.
Whenever possible I only take hand luggage as it saves time waiting for your bags in the arrival hall.
The wife and son have gotten used to me not being around, so much so that if I am home for a week, then I "get in the way".
No sign of working much out of my official office this year either!
Edited by IanUAE on Wednesday 4th March 10:02
3 days away and then 4 days actually off.
I'm assuming you still get a full salary.
I think that'd be piss easy.
Full week away and only the weekend at home is a different matter. Also you say it wouldn't be every week and you could decide to drive home if you really needed to as a couple of hours commute isn't the end of the world if it's only every so often.
If it's gonna pay well and make a difference to your career I think it's a no brainer.
I'm assuming you still get a full salary.
I think that'd be piss easy.
Full week away and only the weekend at home is a different matter. Also you say it wouldn't be every week and you could decide to drive home if you really needed to as a couple of hours commute isn't the end of the world if it's only every so often.
If it's gonna pay well and make a difference to your career I think it's a no brainer.
I work away for 3 nights ecah week at the moment.
It's only 1.5 hours to get from home ot the office, but I got sick of doing that on the last contract where I could be spending 3 hours a day in the car doing 40 miles up and down the M4 everyday.
My current contract is 80 miles away from home , so I can drive up on Monday morning, work on site for 3 nights, and return home on Thursday afternoon to WFH on Friday.
I don't mind it too much, the hotel I stay at is a 5 minute walk form the office, I park the car up on Monday morning and don't touch it again until Thursday. No spending 3 hours each day just sitting in traffic. The hotel is not brilliant but as somewhere to chill out and sleep each night it's fine. My OH is also working close by a couple of days a week so usually spends 1 night of my three with me so we get to see each other more than we would otherwise.
I get the 3 full days back home each week. Friday is spent on the laptop checking emails and catching up on stuff and can be a long full day when things are busy, but when quieter I can get a few things done at home between emails and calls.
Years ago, when I had the young kids and family , etc... I used to work away during the week red eye flight on monday to flight home on Friday afternoon. Was ok, me and the Ex and the kids quickly got used to it all. However, I did find after a few months that I was living in some kind of twilight zone where the weeks were all work and the weekends were all kids. No 'me' time. So after 9 months of doing this, we moved the whole family to where the work was and set up home to have a more 'normal' family relationship.
It's all about the work life balance and what is right for you. At the moment I'd rather spend 3 nights in a hotel each week than spend 15 hours on the M4. It's more relaxed. But if I had young kids still, it might not be so easy.
It's only 1.5 hours to get from home ot the office, but I got sick of doing that on the last contract where I could be spending 3 hours a day in the car doing 40 miles up and down the M4 everyday.
My current contract is 80 miles away from home , so I can drive up on Monday morning, work on site for 3 nights, and return home on Thursday afternoon to WFH on Friday.
I don't mind it too much, the hotel I stay at is a 5 minute walk form the office, I park the car up on Monday morning and don't touch it again until Thursday. No spending 3 hours each day just sitting in traffic. The hotel is not brilliant but as somewhere to chill out and sleep each night it's fine. My OH is also working close by a couple of days a week so usually spends 1 night of my three with me so we get to see each other more than we would otherwise.
I get the 3 full days back home each week. Friday is spent on the laptop checking emails and catching up on stuff and can be a long full day when things are busy, but when quieter I can get a few things done at home between emails and calls.
Years ago, when I had the young kids and family , etc... I used to work away during the week red eye flight on monday to flight home on Friday afternoon. Was ok, me and the Ex and the kids quickly got used to it all. However, I did find after a few months that I was living in some kind of twilight zone where the weeks were all work and the weekends were all kids. No 'me' time. So after 9 months of doing this, we moved the whole family to where the work was and set up home to have a more 'normal' family relationship.
It's all about the work life balance and what is right for you. At the moment I'd rather spend 3 nights in a hotel each week than spend 15 hours on the M4. It's more relaxed. But if I had young kids still, it might not be so easy.
Dan_1981 said:
3 days away and then 4 days actually off.
I'm assuming you still get a full salary.
I think that'd be piss easy.
Full week away and only the weekend at home is a different matter. Also you say it wouldn't be every week and you could decide to drive home if you really needed to as a couple of hours commute isn't the end of the world if it's only every so often.
If it's gonna pay well and make a difference to your career I think it's a no brainer.
I dont think it would affect my career either way but will pay wellI'm assuming you still get a full salary.
I think that'd be piss easy.
Full week away and only the weekend at home is a different matter. Also you say it wouldn't be every week and you could decide to drive home if you really needed to as a couple of hours commute isn't the end of the world if it's only every so often.
If it's gonna pay well and make a difference to your career I think it's a no brainer.
Have travelled a lot with work but now try to avoid overnight stays wherever I can. After 6 years of no pay reviews, a huge reduction in benefits, along with the company saying we all need to work smarter (as we take on more than one job) I am loathe to give up my evenings and weekends. I would sooner spend my time with family, friends, working on my car and doing stuff I want to do, rather than activities geared to supporting my following weeks work.
I have been in the corporate world for many, many years. I have been the one working evenings and weekends, kissing my Son goodbye on his 9th birthday as I left for 6 weeks away on business. When you see people doing this, giving their all to the company, only to keel over with heart attacks and never being spoken of again, it focuses the mind.
Work is vastly over-rated.
I have been in the corporate world for many, many years. I have been the one working evenings and weekends, kissing my Son goodbye on his 9th birthday as I left for 6 weeks away on business. When you see people doing this, giving their all to the company, only to keel over with heart attacks and never being spoken of again, it focuses the mind.
Work is vastly over-rated.
Used to do this in a similar way, Sunday fly to America, Wednesday fly to Europe, coupe of days in Europe then home Saturday morning and repeat.
Did it for two stints one for 3 years and one for 2 years, both when I was single and in my 20's / early 30's .... met a lot of stewardesses !!!
Wouldn't want to do it now I am a bit older and certainly not with a relationship / kids.
Now do 150 mile commute 3 days a week, never managed to find a job near home !!!
Phib
Did it for two stints one for 3 years and one for 2 years, both when I was single and in my 20's / early 30's .... met a lot of stewardesses !!!
Wouldn't want to do it now I am a bit older and certainly not with a relationship / kids.
Now do 150 mile commute 3 days a week, never managed to find a job near home !!!
Phib
Oldred_V8S said:
Have travelled a lot with work but now try to avoid overnight stays wherever I can. After 6 years of no pay reviews, a huge reduction in benefits, along with the company saying we all need to work smarter (as we take on more than one job) I am loathe to give up my evenings and weekends. I would sooner spend my time with family, friends, working on my car and doing stuff I want to do, rather than activities geared to supporting my following weeks work.
I have been in the corporate world for many, many years. I have been the one working evenings and weekends, kissing my Son goodbye on his 9th birthday as I left for 6 weeks away on business. When you see people doing this, giving their all to the company, only to keel over with heart attacks and never being spoken of again, it focuses the mind.
Work is vastly over-rated.
This is kind of why im thinking to do this job, its a sI have been in the corporate world for many, many years. I have been the one working evenings and weekends, kissing my Son goodbye on his 9th birthday as I left for 6 weeks away on business. When you see people doing this, giving their all to the company, only to keel over with heart attacks and never being spoken of again, it focuses the mind.
Work is vastly over-rated.
t lot easier than the one i do currently and will give me 4 days off, just a shame about the commute/hotelsphib said:
Used to do this in a similar way, Sunday fly to America, Wednesday fly to Europe, coupe of days in Europe then home Saturday morning and repeat.
Did it for two stints one for 3 years and one for 2 years, both when I was single and in my 20's / early 30's .... met a lot of stewardesses !!!
Wouldn't want to do it now I am a bit older and certainly not with a relationship / kids.
Now do 150 mile commute 3 days a week, never managed to find a job near home !!!
Phib
So only one day at home? Yeh i couldent do that either lolDid it for two stints one for 3 years and one for 2 years, both when I was single and in my 20's / early 30's .... met a lot of stewardesses !!!
Wouldn't want to do it now I am a bit older and certainly not with a relationship / kids.
Now do 150 mile commute 3 days a week, never managed to find a job near home !!!
Phib
I have worked away Monday-Friday for the last 9 years. Some weeks we get to be home on a local job but I always plan to be away the following week so don't make plans.
We get all our expenses paid on a company credit card we carry, hotel, food, fuel etc. I wouldn't do it if I had to pay it myself and claim it back.
I book all our own hotels, never stay in Travelodges etc. I have never liked the staying in like family B&B'S etc. I just never feel comfortable, its just feels like another persons house and can never truly relax. Usually I book a self catering accommodation, amazing what you can get for a good price. A lot cheaper than hotels in places.
Edit, to add
All my working away from home has been UK based, so cant comment on the experience of international working away.
3 years ago,I moved to Scotland for the company I've been with for 9 years, so all based in Scotland.
Holiday lettings, owners direct are great websites for self catering properties.
I have found you sometimes get a better deal speaking directly to the hotel/property rather than using Laterooms, booking.com etc.
We get all our expenses paid on a company credit card we carry, hotel, food, fuel etc. I wouldn't do it if I had to pay it myself and claim it back.
I book all our own hotels, never stay in Travelodges etc. I have never liked the staying in like family B&B'S etc. I just never feel comfortable, its just feels like another persons house and can never truly relax. Usually I book a self catering accommodation, amazing what you can get for a good price. A lot cheaper than hotels in places.
Edit, to add
All my working away from home has been UK based, so cant comment on the experience of international working away.
3 years ago,I moved to Scotland for the company I've been with for 9 years, so all based in Scotland.
Holiday lettings, owners direct are great websites for self catering properties.
I have found you sometimes get a better deal speaking directly to the hotel/property rather than using Laterooms, booking.com etc.
Edited by hillbob on Wednesday 4th March 18:01
dieseluser07 said:
So only one day at home? Yeh i couldent do that either lol
About 28 hours a week at home, the final straw came when the company decided it was instigating the American holiday allocation (10 days) on all European employees (who originally had 26 days) That's when we all left .... mas exodus of 20 people ( 21 in European office, my American PA the only one left !!) , wiping out the European business we had all built from scratch !!!
Phib
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