work accomodation issue?

zweton

Hi,

I have recently secured a job and as part of training i have to go to london for roughly 2 months. This is all fine and the job are sorting out accom and flights etc. Me boss emailed me and said "you'll likely be staying in a room in my house as I rent them to the company for travelling employees"
I was hoping to have an apt or hotel for the duration as I didnt fancy spending it in a room! I felt awkward when he said this and felt like i had been put into a bit of a corner. Its not that i dont like company and have no problem mingling with people but sharing a kitchen etc is not how i wanted to do it plus my girlfriend would be travelling over. Maybe its me but does it come across as being a bit unprofessional? I would have liked the option of accom! I replied back saying "Would it be possible you could arrange accomodation for just myself, as I have my own routine :-) " Have not heard anything back yet it will prob be tomorrow before i hear back from him. I know its gone to the awkward stage now but what to do? Is it me or am i entitled to have the option?
Any feedback much appreciated:)

JustAThought

Well you've set things in motion - if he said " it's likely" there may be the possibility that there is scope for him to make alternative arrangements for you if you object. Two months to live and share a house with your boss is a bit much IMO . But as he seems to have a cosy income set up from this for himself it's unlikely that he would easily or willingly forego this . I wonder how much he is charging back - London rates at 100 a night for 40 or 60 days ... That's a lot of income to lose for him - and additionally to have to pay out to rent for you too .

He might be decent and have a backup plan B for if people object but I wouldn't hold my breath over it

tinkerbell

Is your boss gonna be at the house at the same time, or who else will be there??

zweton

Yes he lives there i believe, not sure who else would be there. I presume anyone who is travelling from other offices would be staying there but not sure. Annoying to think this will determine if i take the job or not.

tinkerbell

Ok well then I think that is completely unprofessional. It's one thing for him to rent out the house if he's not staying in it, it's entirely another for them to expect you to house share with your boss. I think you are well within your rights to request that you stay in a guest house / rental apartment / hotel rather than sharing with your boss.

seachto7

I would object. Say that, with all due respect, when you walk out the door from work, that you want to leave work there and not bring it home with you.

zweton

Ya i know, i have shared with people in the past and i know whats its like to be listening from your room to see if the other person is finished preping and eating their dinner before you can use it yourself because you dont want to be intruding on them. And thats just the start of it!:)
I think everyone is entitled to their own privacy.

zweton

Actually, if they make an issue of it I think I will politely decline the offer.
Hopefully it wont come to that.

Overheal

May I be so bold as to ask the line of work?

This arrangement makes sense for example if you were all going out crab fishing on the Bering sea for months at a time together, but a bit awkward if you are just desk jockeys in a 9-5. How big is the team? Are you being made a share partner? How closely will you be expected to work alongside you boss and your colleagues?

LegacyUser

I'm not sure from your posts whether the temporary relocation to London is an opportunity that you can chose to avail of, one necessary to further your career, or you have to go there for work.

I'd be very cautious about how you deal with this OP: it seems like your boss has an established arrangement re accommodation - which may not be your preference, but it might be cheaper for the company. If you want or need the experience to be gained by being in London for a few months, then I most definitely would not rock the boat. Tbh, quoting things like 'I prefer my own space' or 'my GF will be coming over' makes you look a bit immature, unless you're being asked to share a room.