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Company Agrees to Let Employee Work Remotely, Demands He Travels 3 Times a Month 5 Months Later

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  • A man walks across an airport bridge, wearing a backpack
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  • Boss casually dropped that I'll be travelling 2-3 times a month

    Edit: To clarify, travel is a 5 hour plane ride and 3-4 days at a time. That'll be like most of the month lol. I started this job about 2 years ago and have travelled once. In my contract | agreed to travel but there is no specific amount in my contract.
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  • I was working in office every day up until about 5 months ago when I renegotiated to be mostly remote so I could move home. The agreement was to come into the office about once a month, but they haven't needed me yet.
  • Anyway, I just got back from this work trip and casually in an email my boss mentioned I will be travelling to the client's location 2-3 times a month. I am drained by travelling and this seems like a lot of travel a month for work. I am trying not to panic but this is not something I can sustain.
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  • Does anyone have any advice? For context I am a backend software developer.
  • Close-up of a man pulling a small suitcase across an airport bridge
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  • MidtownKC I would ask your boss about it and see what the need is. Talk through the details and figure out why that much travel is necessary, when the travel would be, how long this will be in place, etc. Perhaps you can make a case that would mean 4-6 travel days a month - which is
  • largely 4-6 days/month you won't be working on your client's projects - yet they still have to pay. You can definitely express your concern about that much travel, etc., but it could also be that your clients really don't want you there that much once they have you out there a few times
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  • and have to pay for it, etc. Definitely update the resume if this ends up being worst-case and is a deal breaker for you and your family. But I'd let it play out first. Maybe it's only for a few months and really ends up being 1- 2X/month.
  • ChristmasSunday Do you have an actual contract? If the contract doesn't say otherwise you're either traveling now or looking for another job.
  • NovelLongjumping3965 You moved home, when you went remote. So the client is near the office and you are complaining? I guess your remote position just got switched back to mainly office and you agreed to travel if you have to. Unfortunately it's on you.
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  • twistedchristian I'd hold off on panicking just yet, and see how it plays out. Travel is VERY expensive between flights, hotels, per diem. It could be that this happens for a month, and then either the client doesn't want to pay for it or your company doesn't want to pay for it.
  • z-eldapin Why is there an on site presence at the client needed now where there wasn't before
  • Still_Condition8669 I think it's time to have an honest conversation with your boss, that you were not expecting this much travel, when you agreed to travel, and make your next decision based on how that conversation goes. I personally refuse to work anywhere that requires travel. When I'm done working, I want to be home with the people I love.
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  • dvVIII2 You should get a bump in compensation in some way. I used to travel 3-4 times a month for a week at a time. So pretty much always. I knew that going in though. I had my routine and favorite spots to stay, eat, gym and hang out. Do you have a company credit card? I didn't and
  • my expenses were about $4,000 every month. My company was a week or two late reimbursing me all the time. I don't believe they were trying to screw me. It was because the person in charge of expense checks was not on top of things.

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