Attending a colleague's leaving dinner- Long Distance travel

[romeogolf]

Hi all

The company I work for are based near Bristol, but I work on a site in Southampton. I've been invited to the leaving dinner of a colleague along with all other senior employees (it's a small company, fewer than 30 of us and counting recipients in the email sent, 18 of us are going to the event). As all other staff are based in the Bristol area, they are holding the dinner locally.

I would like to attend, but don't much fancy the prospect of a 4-hour round-trip on a Thursday evening, potentially at my own expense.

I will be asking the director who is organising the evening these questions, but I want to get a feel of where they sit on the scale of "completely reasonable" to "a bit cheeky".

So is it reasonable to expect to be reimbursed travel expenses for the journey? What about being put up overnight so I can actually have a drink and enjoy the evening with my colleagues / not have to drive back for two hours late at night?

Obviously, this isn't a 'business' trip, or I would happily assume travel expenses will be paid, so looking for your views.

Thanks!

[geeks]

I'd consider it cheeky but still ask I would try and negotiate, either they cover the mileage or the hotel kinda deal, I would offer to work from that office for the day for example to get the mileage covered..

[Butter Face]

I’d think you’re taking the piss myself. It’s a social event.

A travelodge is probably £40 and the fuel will maybe be the same?

For what it will actually cost you, you just need to weigh up how bothered you are about saying goodbye to the colleague. If you’re not bothered just say you can’t make it and don’t go, if you are bothered then just pay it and go along.

[romeogolf]

Butter Face said:

I’d think you’re taking the piss myself. It’s a social event.

A travelodge is probably £40 and the fuel will maybe be the same?

For what it will actually cost you, you just need to weigh up how bothered you are about saying goodbye to the colleague. If you’re not bothered just say you can’t make it and don’t go, if you are bothered then just pay it and go along.

Probably didn't make it clear, that the company are throwing the party - So it's not just our colleague inviting us to the pub as such, but the directors are organising dinner and drinks. Would that sway your view?

[Butter Face]

romeogolf said:

Butter Face said:

I’d think you’re taking the piss myself. It’s a social event.

A travelodge is probably £40 and the fuel will maybe be the same?

For what it will actually cost you, you just need to weigh up how bothered you are about saying goodbye to the colleague. If you’re not bothered just say you can’t make it and don’t go, if you are bothered then just pay it and go along.

Probably didn't make it clear, that the company are throwing the party - So it's not just our colleague inviting us to the pub as such, but the directors are organising dinner and drinks. Would that sway your view?

It wouldn’t really, no. The company are paying for the food and drinks, I’d see that as a good deal. Get there, eat and drink as much as humanly possible and have a great time.

For the minimal personal cost I’d see it as a decent deal.

When we have our works Christmas meal, it’s normally somewhere remote and awesome and the company pay for it but expect us to sort our own transport or accommodation at the venue.

You can ask but expect to be earmarked as a cheap bd

[vetrof]

I think I'd travel and stay over at my own expense, but would be looking for an early finish and late start to the pre and post workdays without penalty. Reasonable compromise I would say.

[boyse7en]

Had an interesting situation a bit like this recently.

We are a small company (about 10 permanent employees) and were having a round-up gathering for staff and partners, plus freelance staff who live spread across the country.

The company paid expenses for the freelancers (about 8 of them, plus spouses) to travel to the venue near the offices, plus paid for B&B overnight for them and a taxi from the B&B to the venue.

Those of us who work in the office had to make our own way there, and drive home...

[Gargamel]

boyse7en said:

Had an interesting situation a bit like this recently.

We are a small company (about 10 permanent employees) and were having a round-up gathering for staff and partners, plus freelance staff who live spread across the country.

The company paid expenses for the freelancers (about 8 of them, plus spouses) to travel to the venue near the offices, plus paid for B&B overnight for them and a taxi from the B&B to the venue.

Those of us who work in the office had to make our own way there, and drive home...

Well duh.

That's exactly what most companies would do. Happy to meet reasonable expenses, but if this is your normal permanent office then why would you need a B&B

[DSLiverpool]

When I had this issue I scheduled a HQ meeting the following day so everyone based outside the office had a business legit reason to stay over the night before.

[KrazyIvan]

You want to go to a social event but you want the company to foot your travel bill..........where you thinking of having your leaving drinks

Seriously it's 2 hours or 30 quid on a premier inn room.

[anonymous-user]

I just wonder how the OP got to be a senior member of staff if they have to come on PH to ask such a question.

[romeogolf]

keirik said:

I just wonder how the OP got to be a senior member of staff if they have to come on PH to ask such a question.

I just wonder how people live their entire lives never being put in an unfamiliar situation and requiring advice.

Sometimes people are promoted quickly in recognition of a certain set of skills which don't always cover office politics. The company I work for have branched in a new direction and took me on to lead that. This makes me senior despite not being familiar with the environment.

[romeogolf]

KrazyIvan said:

You want to go to a social event but you want the company to foot your travel bill..........where you thinking of having your leaving drinks

Seriously it's 2 hours or 30 quid on a premier inn room.

The company have organised the event. They are inviting us, paying for drinks and paying for dinner. If the leaving member of staff had organised a get-together and we were paying our own way it would be entirely different, but as I said earlier, the company itself are organising this. It's a company event, not a social event.

The cheapest hotel room I can find locally is £60 and has a 2.5 rating on Tripadvisor. Bit more than just 30 quid.

[Butter Face]

Doesn’t really matter how many stars it’s got surely? You’ll only sleep and shower there then go home?

If you don’t want to go, don’t bother!

[GlenMH]

DSLiverpool has hit the nail on the head. What about spending the day in the office beforehand? Time at head office when you work remotely is never time wasted and would provide the excuse you need for the the co to pay for travel/hotel.

I think I am correct in saying that if the company have organised and are paying for a bit of it then, from an HR point of view, it is an official event and HR policies stay in force.

[romeogolf]

Butter Face said:

Doesn’t really matter how many stars it’s got surely? You’ll only sleep and shower there then go home?

If you don’t want to go, don’t bother!

I didn't say stars, I said rating. As in "this is likely to be clean or it's likely to be a dump". My point was that overnight accommodation locally was more expensive than suggested.

I've declined the invitation this morning anyway. I don't want to pay out of my own pocket upwards of £75 for the evening including travel.

[KrazyIvan]

romeogolf said:

KrazyIvan said:

You want to go to a social event but you want the company to foot your travel bill..........where you thinking of having your leaving drinks

Seriously it's 2 hours or 30 quid on a premier inn room.

The company have organised the event. They are inviting us, paying for drinks and paying for dinner. If the leaving member of staff had organised a get-together and we were paying our own way it would be entirely different, but as I said earlier, the company itself are organising this. It's a company event, not a social event.

The cheapest hotel room I can find locally is £60 and has a 2.5 rating on Tripadvisor. Bit more than just 30 quid.

And do you think the fact the company throwing a bash on them makes you look more or less of a cheapskate. Seriously nobody is making you go. Your company is gonna well exceed 60 quid on your night out. And I am sorry but 2hrs drive really isn't that far in a modern comfy car.

[Countdown]

romeogolf said:

The company have organised the event. They are inviting us, paying for drinks and paying for dinner. If the leaving member of staff had organised a get-together and we were paying our own way it would be entirely different, but as I said earlier, the company itself are organising this. It's a company event, not a social event.

Are the company insisting that staff attend? Are the company getting any benefit from staff attending? I’m guessing not so I doubt there’s any obligation on them to pay other ancillary costs. They might choose to do so but (IMHO) it looks a bit petty asking.

[Sheepshanks]

romeogolf said:

I will be asking the director who is organising the evening these questions, but I want to get a feel of where they sit on the scale of "completely reasonable" to "a bit cheeky".

Do you normally have expenses to submit each month?

I guess it stands out if you don't, but I've always done field sales type roles so submitted expenses each month and it wouldn't occur to me not to include it. It's organised by the company so it's work related.

[Drumroll]

From the OP's replies so far I would say don't go. It seems you already resent "needing" to go, so why bother.