people who work away
Discussion
I stay away quite a bit, can be anywhere in the country, or the world for that matter, although usually with international stuff the client sorts the flights and hotels.
For me it can be as little as one night a week, up to a month away for a big job, although the longest single stint for me has been 9 weeks.
In terms of hotels, I've been at it so long I really don't care what the hotel is like, and mostly stay in Travelodges in the UK. They're cheap, clean, warm and have a reasonable shower. That's about all I want, hotels get boring quite quickly, all the frills stop being important (for me at least).
Quite often I don't even bother going out to eat if I'm on my own, and simply get a sandwich from the nearest supermarket or petrol station. Mind you, I'm quite often late back anyway so food isn't the biggest priority.
Everyone is different though. Personally, I'd say go for it, especially if it's only 3 days/nights a week. I work 6-7 days a week, so have very little enthusiasm for it, but 4 days off a week would seem like a holiday.
For me it can be as little as one night a week, up to a month away for a big job, although the longest single stint for me has been 9 weeks.
In terms of hotels, I've been at it so long I really don't care what the hotel is like, and mostly stay in Travelodges in the UK. They're cheap, clean, warm and have a reasonable shower. That's about all I want, hotels get boring quite quickly, all the frills stop being important (for me at least).
Quite often I don't even bother going out to eat if I'm on my own, and simply get a sandwich from the nearest supermarket or petrol station. Mind you, I'm quite often late back anyway so food isn't the biggest priority.
Everyone is different though. Personally, I'd say go for it, especially if it's only 3 days/nights a week. I work 6-7 days a week, so have very little enthusiasm for it, but 4 days off a week would seem like a holiday.
On the train home.
Started at Monday. The taxi was outside at 5:40 in the morning on Monday and stayed in the hotel for a couple of nights.
I usually go running after work so got plenty to do. I then hit the steam room and jacuzzi.
After this it is usually some food and football in the restaurant.
Exhausting, taxis, trains and hotels...and yes I love it.
Wife & 2 boys.
Started at Monday. The taxi was outside at 5:40 in the morning on Monday and stayed in the hotel for a couple of nights.
I usually go running after work so got plenty to do. I then hit the steam room and jacuzzi.
After this it is usually some food and football in the restaurant.
Exhausting, taxis, trains and hotels...and yes I love it.
Wife & 2 boys.
The key to dealing with working away is normalising it.
I travel regularly in Europe, but not every week like some here.
It can be hard; especially when you're busy and have lots going on at home too.
However, it is good seeing new places and getting away.
Key things to remember:
Hotels get repetitive very, very quickly. Either find a chain that does what you like or look for lodgings if repeatedly going somewhere.
You'll often go places that are boring.
I've been all over Europe but of the actual towns I've seen and visited, there's very few I'd rush back to.
Example - I went to Milan last year: Great!
In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
I travel regularly in Europe, but not every week like some here.
It can be hard; especially when you're busy and have lots going on at home too.
However, it is good seeing new places and getting away.
Key things to remember:
Hotels get repetitive very, very quickly. Either find a chain that does what you like or look for lodgings if repeatedly going somewhere.
You'll often go places that are boring.
I've been all over Europe but of the actual towns I've seen and visited, there's very few I'd rush back to.
Example - I went to Milan last year: Great!
In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
Muzzer79 said:
The key to dealing with working away is normalising it.
I travel regularly in Europe, but not every week like some here.
It can be hard; especially when you're busy and have lots going on at home too.
However, it is good seeing new places and getting away.
Key things to remember:
Hotels get repetitive very, very quickly. Either find a chain that does what you like or look for lodgings if repeatedly going somewhere.
You'll often go places that are boring.
I've been all over Europe but of the actual towns I've seen and visited, there's very few I'd rush back to.
Example - I went to Milan last year: Great!
In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
Used to travel a bit on business though nothing compared to some of you guys here. Once went all the way to Brazil for two nights - arrived, slept, worked, slept, went home. Also been to Hong Kong many times but never seen any sights. I don't miss it.I travel regularly in Europe, but not every week like some here.
It can be hard; especially when you're busy and have lots going on at home too.
However, it is good seeing new places and getting away.
Key things to remember:
Hotels get repetitive very, very quickly. Either find a chain that does what you like or look for lodgings if repeatedly going somewhere.
You'll often go places that are boring.
I've been all over Europe but of the actual towns I've seen and visited, there's very few I'd rush back to.
Example - I went to Milan last year: Great!
In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
I have worked away, staying in lodgings for a combined total of 10 ½ years. I have also been on short notice for trips around the world fixing ships. The comments above I can relate to.
Find something locally to do in the evenings, even if it’s just a simple course at night school, pubs and restaurants just add to the waist line.
The quality of your accommodation is critical. If I am paying for my own B&B, I am more than happy to pay more for a quality place. Staying in lodgings is much more preferable to a BnB. Especially when the landlady’s 19 year old daughter is the spitting image of Debbee Ashby….
Your life seems to go on hold when you are away; all those jobs at home just go back weeks if not months and sometime years.
Make sure ALL your expenses are going to be covered. Some companies won’t pay for a single alcoholic drink in the evening.
If it’s such a great thing to do, why are you the person chosen to do it?
It really takes its toll on relationships. Both getting them started and keeping them going. It’s a single bloke’s game IMHO.
Weekends and time at home become extremely precious, when your partner says “let’s go and visit such and such….” you heart just sinks and you think “oh no, not MORE travelling….”
Find something locally to do in the evenings, even if it’s just a simple course at night school, pubs and restaurants just add to the waist line.
The quality of your accommodation is critical. If I am paying for my own B&B, I am more than happy to pay more for a quality place. Staying in lodgings is much more preferable to a BnB. Especially when the landlady’s 19 year old daughter is the spitting image of Debbee Ashby….
Your life seems to go on hold when you are away; all those jobs at home just go back weeks if not months and sometime years.
Make sure ALL your expenses are going to be covered. Some companies won’t pay for a single alcoholic drink in the evening.
If it’s such a great thing to do, why are you the person chosen to do it?
It really takes its toll on relationships. Both getting them started and keeping them going. It’s a single bloke’s game IMHO.
Weekends and time at home become extremely precious, when your partner says “let’s go and visit such and such….” you heart just sinks and you think “oh no, not MORE travelling….”
phib said:
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)
Can they actually do that? A US owned multinational I worked for decided to bring in a 10% pay cut when the recession started hitting them, however apparently UK (or possibly European) employment law meant they couldn't force it on is. So instead they decided people could volunteer for a 10% pay cut, funnily enough the uptake wasn't good with only those managers high enough up that they wanted long term careers with the company volunteering. It wasn't that long before the company was bought out by a bigger multinational so it probably didn't do them a lot of good.
The voluntary redundancy deal wasn't bad though.
BrabusMog said:
What was the consultation process? Take a 16 day holiday reduction or quit? Shocking behaviour.
Basically Americans announced they were coming over for chat, stupidly they told my American PA what they were coming to do, her being loyal to me ( I recruited her) told me on the Monday what they were going to do on the Friday
Tuesday - Thursday, had PWC and a couple of lawyers help us create a pre prepared response. Then delayed Americans for a week
Then following week negotiated with one of my competitors for all ( 19 of us) to go and join them / bring our business .. unofficially.
There has been a lot of other issues building up to this over the previous years so we had time to work things out, many people wanted to leave anyway
Americans arrived, presented at 10am, I stopped them at 10.10 and handed them 19 resignation letters ..... their faces were quite a sight .... we however were funnily relaxed !!!
Unfortunately its not the first time this sort of thing had happened to me, so I was a little bit prepared !!
Phib
bucksmanuk said:
I have worked away, staying in lodgings for a combined total of 10 ½ years. I have also been on short notice for trips around the world fixing ships. The comments above I can relate to.
Find something locally to do in the evenings, even if it’s just a simple course at night school, pubs and restaurants just add to the waist line.
The quality of your accommodation is critical. If I am paying for my own B&B, I am more than happy to pay more for a quality place. Staying in lodgings is much more preferable to a BnB. Especially when the landlady’s 19 year old daughter is the spitting image of Debbee Ashby….
Your life seems to go on hold when you are away; all those jobs at home just go back weeks if not months and sometime years.
Make sure ALL your expenses are going to be covered. Some companies won’t pay for a single alcoholic drink in the evening.
If it’s such a great thing to do, why are you the person chosen to do it?
It really takes its toll on relationships. Both getting them started and keeping them going. It’s a single bloke’s game IMHO.
Weekends and time at home become extremely precious, when your partner says “let’s go and visit such and such….” you heart just sinks and you think “oh no, not MORE travelling….”
As far as i know you could 30 quid for your breakfast/lunch/dinner while your awayFind something locally to do in the evenings, even if it’s just a simple course at night school, pubs and restaurants just add to the waist line.
The quality of your accommodation is critical. If I am paying for my own B&B, I am more than happy to pay more for a quality place. Staying in lodgings is much more preferable to a BnB. Especially when the landlady’s 19 year old daughter is the spitting image of Debbee Ashby….
Your life seems to go on hold when you are away; all those jobs at home just go back weeks if not months and sometime years.
Make sure ALL your expenses are going to be covered. Some companies won’t pay for a single alcoholic drink in the evening.
If it’s such a great thing to do, why are you the person chosen to do it?
It really takes its toll on relationships. Both getting them started and keeping them going. It’s a single bloke’s game IMHO.
Weekends and time at home become extremely precious, when your partner says “let’s go and visit such and such….” you heart just sinks and you think “oh no, not MORE travelling….”
I've worked between home and client offices for the past 15 years and I wouldn't ever go back to working in the same office day in day out. I usually work between Home in the North and client offices in London, though I've been fortunate to get some international work in Europe and the US over the years. I couldn't agree more with the comments regarding hotels, if you are somewhere regularly a serviced apartment with a kitchen and washing machine is brilliant. Put a wash on Thursday evening, hang to dry Friday morning and then iron Monday night, the Mrs then sorts the Friday shirt for a week on Monday. If you can't sort that then two weeks worth of clobber helps and I've even taken stuff with me that's not been ironed and then done it whilst I'm in the hotel. Trick is to get a system that minimises work on a weekend / work for the other half and fills up the time in the evening so you don't hit the bar.
OP, i have spent the last 16 years working away from home at client locations in a consultancy position. Typically Sunday to Friday in some cases, but mostly Monday until Thursday or Friday depending on the work. Some of it was abroad for a couple of weeks or a couple of months in some cases - depends on the work or client. Some of it was a couple of clients a week so involved moving locations mid-week to another location.
All of it in hotels, or kipping at friends or family locations if possible (even if it meant 30 minute commutes sometimes, rather than 5 minute walks).
Great when single, annoying when not - but bearable.
The greatest annoyance i found - missing out on stuff with friends mid-week, but technically if you never had it then do not worry! :-)
Try and get a managed flat, otherwise hotel. I used to rent a apartment by the week in London at one point, right next to Aldgate and it was ace.
You will find a routine, hotels are great - if not noisy places sometimes depending on the hotel and brand (ear plugs and noise cancelling bose headphones). Make sure you get down to dinner, or go for a wander where you are - cinemas in the evening, reading books, going to the football etc. Most travellers keep to themselves - but, you can and will strike up conversation, and if single, will meet up other people..
Get a hotel with a gym - your find it incredibly valuable just to go for a simple plod or swim. Just chuck in trunks, shorts, t-shirt and trainers (trainers double up for evening comfortable wear if you want).
Make sure you sign up to the points system on anything - it leads to upgrades and free stays (upgrades for work, and free stays for you and missus at weekend somewhere.). Use cash back cards for paying for hotels and any travel.
Laundry, buy 12 shirts and rotate them each week, means if you don't get time to wash them one week you are safe for another week. Always carry an extra shirt for the week in case of spillages!! I always buy white shirts as it is easy to mix and match ties and suits and means i do not have to mess about with packing.
Buy three suits, rotate each day if possible. Worst case buy two. Same with shoes - get two pairs.
Get the best luggage carriers you can afford - small and lightweight are great that can fit into an aircraft overhead... with rollers! Same with a suit carrier - most can fit two suits in.
Get yourself a Amazon Kindle (or app on ipad), netflix and spotify subscription etc.
Stay away from the booze, slippery slope i am afraid - in my opinion.
If there is an offer from a client or other colleage to get out, do it. Just check with your expense policy about entertainment rules - doing it to often means finance will question you, especially if they are big nights..
Good luck OP!
All of it in hotels, or kipping at friends or family locations if possible (even if it meant 30 minute commutes sometimes, rather than 5 minute walks).
Great when single, annoying when not - but bearable.
The greatest annoyance i found - missing out on stuff with friends mid-week, but technically if you never had it then do not worry! :-)
Try and get a managed flat, otherwise hotel. I used to rent a apartment by the week in London at one point, right next to Aldgate and it was ace.
You will find a routine, hotels are great - if not noisy places sometimes depending on the hotel and brand (ear plugs and noise cancelling bose headphones). Make sure you get down to dinner, or go for a wander where you are - cinemas in the evening, reading books, going to the football etc. Most travellers keep to themselves - but, you can and will strike up conversation, and if single, will meet up other people..
Get a hotel with a gym - your find it incredibly valuable just to go for a simple plod or swim. Just chuck in trunks, shorts, t-shirt and trainers (trainers double up for evening comfortable wear if you want).
Make sure you sign up to the points system on anything - it leads to upgrades and free stays (upgrades for work, and free stays for you and missus at weekend somewhere.). Use cash back cards for paying for hotels and any travel.
Laundry, buy 12 shirts and rotate them each week, means if you don't get time to wash them one week you are safe for another week. Always carry an extra shirt for the week in case of spillages!! I always buy white shirts as it is easy to mix and match ties and suits and means i do not have to mess about with packing.
Buy three suits, rotate each day if possible. Worst case buy two. Same with shoes - get two pairs.
Get the best luggage carriers you can afford - small and lightweight are great that can fit into an aircraft overhead... with rollers! Same with a suit carrier - most can fit two suits in.
Get yourself a Amazon Kindle (or app on ipad), netflix and spotify subscription etc.
Stay away from the booze, slippery slope i am afraid - in my opinion.
If there is an offer from a client or other colleage to get out, do it. Just check with your expense policy about entertainment rules - doing it to often means finance will question you, especially if they are big nights..
Good luck OP!
Muzzer79 said:
Example - I went to Milan last year: Great!
In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
Haha.. This can be summed up with a lot of my trips. Airport, motorway, hotel, 200 metre walk, client offices for 14 hours, motorway, airport. In reality, I flew into Milan at night, it pissed it down with rain for 3 days and I saw the sum total of the airport, motorway and hotel (which was on the outskirts) then flew home at night. I saw nothing else. Not so great...!
I have a map of the world in the study, yellow means client and airport only, green means i actually saw something... :-)
OP - I don't think you mentioned but how many days will you actually be working? For example working a 3-day week would mitigate many of the downsides of working away.... 
I used to work away during my 20's, it became a bit harder when I got married, it became much harder when the kids came along. I loved travelling, staying in decent hotels, meeting people but the novelty wears off.
I used to work away during my 20's, it became a bit harder when I got married, it became much harder when the kids came along. I loved travelling, staying in decent hotels, meeting people but the novelty wears off.
I used to work away all of the time. Leaving the house at 5ish Monday morning and home Friday evening. I hated it and I don't have kids. May of been different if it was 3 days a week.
I will say though I took my bike with me and I did get a good few miles in the evenings, I don't really drink so it was back to the hotel, bike for a few hours, shower then eat.
I will say though I took my bike with me and I did get a good few miles in the evenings, I don't really drink so it was back to the hotel, bike for a few hours, shower then eat.
BobSaunders said:
Haha.. This can be summed up with a lot of my trips. Airport, motorway, hotel, 200 metre walk, client offices for 14 hours, motorway, airport.
I have a map of the world in the study, yellow means client and airport only, green means i actually saw something... :-)
A mate used to work on the biometric fastrack passport jobbies at airports, meant he traveled all over the world but rarely even made it as far as a motorway as he was working in the airport and there's usually a hotel right outside I have a map of the world in the study, yellow means client and airport only, green means i actually saw something... :-)
Yazar said:
When single: Good fun.
When in a relationship: Harder but doable.
Wife and kids: Occasional travel including being away is fine, but as a fixed part of the job = no thanks.
Top tip - hotels are crap. It means you packing/unpacking all the time and not having normality e.g. being able to just walk into a kitchen and make something. If you are to work anywhere for a decent period, rent a studio flat/house share etc nearby.
Since July 2009 I have been ltd company contracting, and have yet to find a contract close to home. When in a relationship: Harder but doable.
Wife and kids: Occasional travel including being away is fine, but as a fixed part of the job = no thanks.
Top tip - hotels are crap. It means you packing/unpacking all the time and not having normality e.g. being able to just walk into a kitchen and make something. If you are to work anywhere for a decent period, rent a studio flat/house share etc nearby.
Edited by Yazar on Tuesday 3rd March 12:43
Anyway, as it's effectively my own money that I'm paying out, I have tried to minimise the cost, whilst maximising what I get.
Usually I start a contract at the cheapest B&b in the area and try to use spareroom.co.uk to find something where I can cook and leave my bike, and use the washing machine. Sometimes the cheap B&B is TOO bad, and I find a better hotel whilst looking for a spare room.
Sometimes the spare room search brings me into contact with loons and weirdos and sometimes I end up in a nice place with a jovial host.
The current contract, had me deciding to rent a flat, for a bit more privacy, but it probably would be as cheap to stay at THE DAYS INN. I had to find some furniture (british heart foundation !!!), I've had to commit to 6 months (which is a bit of a risk)
What I need now is a cheap washing machine, so I'm not bringing clothes home.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff