Work related travel, feel deceived and not happy

Figel Narage

Hi All,

Just looking for some advice and would be appreciative of anyone that can provide any.

I started a job last week with a large international bank and I was made aware (in passing) that there will be international travel involved by my manager during the week.

I was seriously blind sided when told, the job spec didn't mention travel, nor in the interview process (one interviewer was my manager) and HR didn't mention it when extending the offer either.

I don't want to travel for work as I've done it before and it was awful and if I'd known there was travel I wouldn't have applied to the job. Additionally they are speaking of sending me to a country with a very high homicide rate in March and August which I dont want to go to. In my experience and for people I know who had jobs that required travel, any job that requires travel states it in the job spec or in the interviews, thats pretty standard and expected.

In my eyes there's 2 options to address this:

1. Create an excuse as to why I can't travel in March and pass probation in June then dig my heels in and refuse to travel.

2. Have a 1 to 1 meeting with my manager next week and state that I refuse to travel and see how he responds.

The contract doesn't state travel is required for the job but does mention in the 'place of work' section that I may have to work in the company's other places of business or in affiliated company's locations. I took that to mean a different section of the building in Dublin as they have multiple legal entities in the same building.

Even though I think its their fault for not mentioning this before extending the offer, I nonetheless have to deal with the situation and it's even more painful in that the pay is great and opportunity is good too.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058279784/work-related-travel-feel-deceived-and-not-happy

Is it for actual work or BS team meetups?

Mrs OBumble

Find a new job ASAP.

Jim2007

If you are unwilling to travel I don't see how this is going to work out for you..

If you are unwilling to travel, it means your changes of remaining in a job that requires travel and advancing with the company are not very high

If you kick up a stink and someone manage to hold on, then you are going to be working in a very hostile environment and I don't think that would be not be good for your health.

As someone who worked for over three decades for two well known European banks, I'd have to say it is very hard to build a serious career with them unless you are willing to travel, you can't expect that everyone will travel to you and that someone else will deal with issues you should be dealing with in other countries. I think what you do next very much depends on what you see as a career path for you.

Count Dracula

1st world problem.

You obviously did not research your role properly.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112347#Comment_120112347

It's for some aspects of my job but from what I was told, not a huge amount, for this year its travelling twice and staying for a week in a location but next year could be 4 or more times all with a week long stay.

However, during the pandemic this was all done over zoom and for my job level they didn't require travel which they've decided they now want

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112414#Comment_120112414

Well I can expect them to be upfront about travel during the recruitment process, i dont think thats unfair to ask of them. Anyone I know who has had to travel for work was told up front during interviews or at the job spec stage and that is standard.

I don't work in a customer facing role and the travel was scrapped during covid and the work was all done over zoom, not really sure why they still have the travel as a thing to be honest but it doesn't make up 100% of my role just a portion of it.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112424#Comment_120112424

The job spec never mentioned travel FFS. Any professional HR organisation would have included details in the job spec, 10% travel or 25% international travel or whatever.

Problem for the OP is that you have almost zero employment rights during probation period.

OP, can you see a way to meeting all the objectives of your role without international travel?

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112424#Comment_120112424

I most certainly did research the position and as stated, it was never mentioned by the employer that travel was involved through the job spec, interviews or by HR.

Gusser09

Get out now OP. I hated having to travel for work and it was only in ireland. Travel for work is crap and majority of it is pointless.

A company’s other locations are literally that, be they Dublin, Johannesburg, Lisbon. Going from one office in same building or campus to the other wouldn’t count as change of location.

mickdw

Is it so bad to go on a couple of trips per year?

I would have thought it was to be expected t at a certain level in the business you are in.

Count Dracula

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112520#Comment_120112520

Why did you get a look at it? For phucks Sake, why with the language citizen?

person goes for a big job with a PLC and does not think of asking?

Op, if you bring it up with your new employers it will only highlight your incompetence. You are solely responsible for creating this problem for yourself. Eat it up please.

Augme

Being through probabtion won't make a difference if you refuse to do what's contracted in your job. It was a **** thing by the company not to say anything but there isn't much you can do about that now. Three option's really

1. Find a new job.

2. Refuse and see how that plays out.

3. Agree to the travel and see how it goes.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112520#Comment_120112520

You're right, it was very unprofessional of HR not to mention it. It's one thing if it was brought up and I'll still accepted the job, that's totally on me but that isn't the case here at all. Not once was it brought it through the whole recruitment process. I feel quite deceived as a result.

You're correct regarding my rights during probation, however, if I go option 1 in my original post after passing probation it'll be a lot hard for them to get rid of me.

With regards to can I still do my job without travelling, the travel aspect only makes up for maybe 10-20% of work that the job entails, the 80-90% of work can be done in the office or working from home, the travel related work is more of a project based thing I suppose. Also just to emphasise, they scrapped the travel for this aspect of the job during covid and it was all done through zoom so to answer your question, I would be able to meet my job objectives without travelling.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112550#Comment_120112550

Manager interviews candidate for large PLC job and doesn’t think to mention?

sounds like incompetence to me.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112550#Comment_120112550

Hey I appreciate any constructive feedback but let's remain civil snd not throw insults around please, if we were face to face I have a feeling you wouldn't be as aggressive in your responses so let's have some respect please

Count Dracula

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112561#Comment_120112561

not if he was asked to keep it off the table until asked......

Count Dracula

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112572#Comment_120112572

Did you even ask how much travel time can be expected?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112575#Comment_120112575

Bending over backwards to have a go at the OP are we? I’ve never known any company to withhold key information except if it puts them in a bad position.

The hiring process is a pain in the arse, so with that in mind you are trying to conceive a scenario whereby the bank would want to hire someone, definitely not interested in travelling, but won’t say that the role requires travel?

No, I don’t think that would happen.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112589#Comment_120112589

Why would they?

Count Dracula

There is quite possibly lots of things mentioned already that aren't going to happen or haven't happened yet.

Where is this country with the high crime rate that has you not sleeping at night?

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112599#Comment_120112599

Yeah that's the most suprising part.

Some people would love to travel and would see it as a great perk but some people (like me) wouldn't and if it was mentioned at the interview or job spec then I wouldn't have gone ahead with the role.

There's been a few other things they've done since joining which I'm not happy with but willing to overlook but the travel is something that's a deal breaker for me.

I don't mind if it was a once off but its going to be twice for 2023 (depending on certain factors, could be even more) and 4 times for 2024 (again could be more depending on certain factors) all for a week duration. That could make up 10% of my work days for a year, I think its totally unacceptable and unprofessional not to mention that 10% of work days could be abroad in the interview process or job spec! This is a large well known bank and I'm honestly shocked and disappointed they've done this.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112685#Comment_120112685

I have some deal breakers in a job. I wouldn't take them if mentioned firstly.

jackboy

There really is no need for regular business trips in this day and age. It is pure backwards stuff. Find out what the tasks are, give your boss a proposal on how you can achieve the objectives on line and see what he says. Chances are your colleagues in the other site don’t want to be babysitting you for a week either.

OP if you want to get past probation without any drama also you could put up with the inconvenience and head on the trip in March. 3 months later you can then just say look I don’t think this is something I’m vibing with, I wasn’t informed it was part of the job and I didn’t create any fuss last time cos I was new but I just don’t want to travel or something to that effect.

i understand being sketchy about making waves during probation.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112736#Comment_120112736

Also don't use the term "vibing with".

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112761#Comment_120112761

Yeah make sure and tell the manager he’s ruining your jive and that he’s a turkey.

“You’re ruining mah jiiiiive, turkey.”

like that

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112765#Comment_120112765

Stop harshing my buzz.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112770#Comment_120112770

See me? See my arse?

see that plane?

well you’ll never be seeing my arse, on that plane, turkey.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112736#Comment_120112736

Appreciate the input.

I in no way shape or form will agree to go on the trip in March. From what I was briefly told it will require staying in a compound and getting an armed escort to and from the office location. I'm not compromising my own safety reservations for a job or anything.

However, the March trip they said potentially I may not have to go on as I'm brand new but I'm assuming I will have to for the moment. I looked online and from what I can see you're within your rights to refuse to travel for medical reasons or to a location if you fear for your safety but dunno how applicable that is in reality.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112781#Comment_120112781

Actually that type of jive talking is one way they won't get sent abroad! Kudos.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112789#Comment_120112789

Jfc

Where is it North Korea? 😅

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112710#Comment_120112710

I think that's the best option. As stated in previous posts, the travel was scrapped during covid and this part of the job was done over zoom, I can't see why that can't be replicated here and I can still achieve what is expected of me.

The colleagues in the places I'd be travelling to wouldn't be babysitting me at all, I'm expected to do work when over there and contribute but again, this was all done over zoom during the pandemic so I can't see why this couldn't be rectified using the same means.

ongarite

México or South Africa I'd guess.

AmberGold

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112820#Comment_120112820

Good luck with this approach OP. Career limiting at the very least.

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112789#Comment_120112789

Armed escorts aren't that bad.

Some Moscow ones come armed with piss if you pay more

Stheno

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112843#Comment_120112843

Yup

My last job if we had to travel to Mexico we stayed in Texas and were bussed over each day

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112875#Comment_120112875

Well to be honest with the stuff they've pulled in my first week (outside of the travel issue), I don't plan on staying there very long and will keep an eye out for other jobs which is awful to come to terms with so new into a job but as stated, they never mentioned travel in the interview or job spec and I wouldn't have applied if they did.

My career field has never required frequent international travel in the other companies I've worked so I don't think this is something that will harm me in my career if I don't want to travel

If you were to opt to look for another job, would there be many options available to you at your level, that are 100% without any kind of travel?

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112908#Comment_120112908

I'm not at a high level in the company, I'm not or have ever been a manager or director in any company ive worked for and have no one reporting to me. The pay is very good but I'm still just an analyst/associate with high autonomy. Again they didn't used to send people at my level on these trips it's only very recently they've changed that.

I can say with 100% certainty if I was to look for another job with my skill set and experience they wouldn't require frequent international travel, this is the only company I've worked where it seems to be expected (even though they never mentioned it in the job spec or interviews) I've travelled for work before when it was offered one time in a previous company but this wasn't an expectation and was a one off and more of an offer from them to see what it's like for myself. It wasn't something I wanted to do again and as stated, if I knew they expected me to travel in this role I wouldn't have applied.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112517#Comment_120112517

It does not really matter what they should have told you or you should have asked at the interview stage, it can’t be undone at this stage and you need to deal with the here and now. Travel was not part of my job either but I usually traveled 4 to 6 times a year and occasionally spend a week or more at another location if something needed sorting out. It is just how it is.

As I said before, you are going to have to figure out what you want out of this position, if you want career advancement then you are going to have to play the game. In big international banks there are plenty of people capable and willing to take your place. An the other hand if you just want a job for a while, you might string it along for as long as you need it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112935#Comment_120112935

Then, disappointing as it is, I'd start looking for another job. It doesn't sound like this employer is going to work out for you, and the sooner move, the better for you (and your CV).

(FWIW, I think it was very deceptive of them not to mention the travel requirement at interview stage).

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112523#Comment_120112523

What area to you actually work in?

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112550#Comment_120112550

You’re not in a great position to tone police me, given that you’re opener was to take a nasty swipe at the OP.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112560#Comment_120112560

It won’t make it any harder to get shot of you after probation if they need to. They will just move the work around the organization, make you redundant on the cheap as you won’t have much in terms of service. Or they will just manage you out.

I would guess that the reason it was not brought during recruitment was that job level was such that they thought it was obvious. Certainly if the offer was at a VP level in an international bank it would be expected.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112939#Comment_120112939

Thanks for the reply appreciate the feedback.

I don't mean to pry or argue (and I could be wrong on this) but based on what you've wrote regarding your own experience you are likely someone who is or was in a senior position in a bank so I think you have somewhat of an employer mindset regarding this and also travel is part of the parcel when you get up that high and although its not specified in the job or contract, it isn't surprising if its required.

Again as stated, I've been quite disappointed with a few things in the first week here outside of the travel and not sure I would want to stay here long term as in my eyes, if they've been deceitful thus far whats to stop them being sly in the future?

Also it really DOES matter that they didn't bring this up in the interview, all of this could have been avoided if they were honest, again it sets a bad precedence, what else will they not reveal in the future?

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112820#Comment_120112820

You are forgetting two things though:

• That was a temporary situation
• You are expecting the bank and your colleagues to change the way they do things to suit you. Don’t assume they will all want to do that.

Figel Narage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113000#Comment_120113000

It is harder to remove someone when passed probation vs. When not passed probation but I somewhat agree with you, if they want to remove me then they will its just more of a pain if its past probation for them.

I'm not a VP (my manger from my understanding does not travel, also from what ive heard his manager doesn't travel and hes up to SVP level), as stated, any role that requires travel from jobs I've seen online or friends who have done jobs require travelling is explicitly stated in the job spec and interview stage, it's common practice and deceitful not to mention this, it wasn't obvious that travel was a factor of the job so I think that is a redundant point

jackboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120113029#Comment_120113029

They probably didn’t bring it up in the interview as not many would like to work for a company where you will need an armed guard to work every now and again.

I have a friend who got a job in the US. He was given the awful task of laying off some employees. He did it thinking that was as bad as it could get. However, after completing the layoffs the company introduced him to the armed guard who would be protecting him at home for the next two weeks, in case one of the sacked employees decided to come to his house with a gun. There are often reasons employers don’t clearly state what is involved with a job.

CramCycle

Start looking for a new job, it's pretty obvious it's not the only issue. They should have said it, it maybe they thought it was obvious, doesn't really matter. Be civil, start looking elsewhere. Forget the positive or negative comments here, they are unimportant. You clearly don't want to stay so start looking for a way out. When you get somewhere else, politely mention it to the manager that, while it maybe obvious internally, it's actually not common elsewhere and they should mention it in the spec or interview. As for your reason to leave, I wouldn't say that, just a better offer elsewhere and you've already agreed so no point discussing counter offers. If you are still there at the next trip, find a reason to call in sick but that you can call into meetings via zoom. If it works and you don't get out, point out that it's an unnecessary expense in October and morally you think it's inappropriate to go when it could be done over Zoom but in reality you shouldn't be there then as you clearly don't want to be. Not knowing the job or level, be prepared that there may not be much at level 'X' that doesn't have travel, and you may need to go back to level 'X-1'.