Asked if I wanted to share a hotel with co-worker [closed]

Question

Recently I've been working projects the next town over. It takes 2 hours to get there. I'm a salaried employee. It's been causing some disagreements between me and the managers. I have been working 10 or 12 hours a day on these projects, but they kind of hint they want 14 or 16. People seem pretty sour when I work 8 (4 hours travel, 4 hours productive labor)

Anyways, we have a few days scheduled in row next week and the coordinator told me we're getting hotel rooms and asked would I like one. I said sure. She came back later and said OK, you will be sharing a co-worker X. I said no thank you, cancel it, I'll drive.

So now I'll be driving my own vehicle and getting re-imbursed for 4 60 mile trips and working less hours (which they bill about $150 an hour for) on the project.

What in the world? Who shares a room for work?

Answer 1

You asked "Who shares a room for work?"

You were not required to share the room.

As stated army, navy, and pro athletes.

Many start ups with equity positions will do this to save money. Not a hard requirement but something people do as it is good for the company.

When I did a lot of field work there were people I would share a room and car with to save the customer money. The customers appreciated it and many of my contracts were extended as they got more value out of us. We could book nicer hotels - even a suite with a separate bed rooms for less money.

For company expenses like a trade show we would a volunteer as it just made the budget go further. It was not a requirement but it was appreciated.

I get that some people would not do it and for most jobs you should not be forced to do it. But you asked who shares a room for work and lots of people do.

Answer 2

They're trying to do it as cheaply as possible. Is it normal? Sure, in some places it is for a short term contract job and even for longer ones I have seen.

I have seen up to eight staff members sharing a big house for a year or two if they're from Overseas, and several times been one of two sharing a hotel room. If I'm there to work and I'm being well recompensed I couldn't care less, it's not a holiday.

You're not looking at it from their point of view, to you it's 8 hours work, to them it's only four which is a huge difference and would definitely impact on any decisions they might make regarding keeping you on.

Answer 3

I haven't been asked to share rooms when I was a student and worked at trade shows to make some money. If any employer asked me today to share hotel rooms I would seriously doubt their sanity.

As far as driving and salaried employee is concerned: You are supposed to work as necessary. But there are many, many ways to work remotely in many jobs, so the travel is not necessary. If your employer insists on you travelling when it's not necessary, they should pay.