The Working Away question

[John Matrix]

Hi lads. Just wanted to talk about working away. Today we have been asked how we feel about it. Where I work don’t really work away and I haven’t had to yet. But up until I joined 2 years ago I spent 17 years on and off, on more than off away from home. It has been suggested that we may be layed off if it gets to a point where the local work drys up. But after April next year the squedule is full of local work again, so I’m led to believe. I have kids and a mrs. I’ve got to a point where I don’t want that life anymore and I’m just not interested in it. I’ve had health issues, and one of my kids also has health issues. I need to be home really. Do I have to go if I’m in the books? What are your experiences with similar situations?

 

[ashrow]

Some companies have in place in their contract (if you signed one) where your are/distance expected to work
If you have no contract get some expert advice.
If your employed the rules may be different then if self employed

 

[Pete999]

Hi John
From someone who has worked away from home a lot including overseas which was part of the equation.
I would humbly suggest, that if you have a contract of employment that requires you to work away from home, which no longer suits your personal conditions, but is the only work your company can provide for you, then to be blunt you need to weight the pros and cons equally, it maybe that they could lay you off due to lack of work opportunities, depends on what your contract pf employment says.
I had a young family and went away for a year no leave hard but it paid the bills, it could be that you need to speak to your other half and discuss the pros and cons of working away, I guess it's down to you and your family to weigh up what the important issues are mine and my families at the time was money, to provide safe housing, it made us stronger although I am having some problems with my pension at the moment, talk it over with Her in Doors see what She wants out of life, I she need to speak to someone who has been there done that and got the T shirt many times over, phone number on request, good luck

 

[buzzlightyear]

a company can not make you work away ,you must tell you boss it is no good for you and tell them about you child with health problems they might see it your way .its not like years ago ,a bang on the head and next thing your on a ship going out of port .

 

[Pete999]

a company can not make you work away ,you must tell you boss it is no good for you and tell them about you child with health problems they might see it your way .its not like years ago ,a bang on the head and next thing your on a ship going out of port .

All very well Buzz, depends on what the poster signed up for, if the only work is away from home, then not much choice is there, travel or the Spanish Archer (elbow) sad but it's understandable, can't keep paying someone who wont go where the work is, like I said depend on what was signed up for,

 

[rapparee]

a company can not make you work away ,you must tell you boss it is no good for you and tell them about you child with health problems they might see it your way .its not like years ago ,a bang on the head and next thing your on a ship going out of port .

So they lay him off then, no hard feelings and we'll see you in April.

What's two years redundancy worth.

If there's no work locally what do you expect the firm to do? They're taking on this extra work as a stop gap to keep the boys in work. I've seen it happen lots of times.

 

[buzzlightyear]

What's two years redundancy worth.

your heath and the child's ,I would agree with you ,but if the op not happy then its down to him not his boss .

 

[Baddegg]

If you are on the cards you’ll have a contract even it not written it’ll be assumed, sorry to say but it sounds like you already know the answer mate, especially as they are offering you work.....best of luck to you though it’s not a nice situation to be in especially this time of year

 

[buzzlightyear]

If you are on the cards you’ll have a contract even it not written

wrong ,if you sign a contract then ok ,

 

[Baddegg]

wrong ,if you sign a contract then ok ,

If you don’t sign and work to they contact after a period it becomes assumed anyways...

 

[rapparee]

your heath and the child's ,I would agree with you ,but if the op not happy then its down to him not his boss .

Absolutely everyone has their own priorities, but it's not fair to blame the firm.

I've known guys who have taken jobs at practically cost price over in England when the work has dried up here in Ireland. Just so they could keep their squad of men in work. This wasn't a good thing either, if there is no meat in the profits it's very easy to be making a loss if anything goes wrong.

Some fellas went to England others stayed at home, they were reemployed when the squad came back to Ireland.

 

[John Matrix]

Hi John
From someone who has worked away from home a lot including overseas which was part of the equation.
I would humbly suggest, that if you have a contract of employment that requires you to work away from home, which no longer suits your personal conditions, but is the only work your company can provide for you, then to be blunt you need to weight the pros and cons equally, it maybe that they could lay you off due to lack of work opportunities, depends on what your contract pf employment says.
I had a young family and went away for a year no leave hard but it paid the bills, it could be that you need to speak to your other half and discuss the pros and cons of working away, I guess it's down to you and your family to weigh up what the important issues are mine and my families at the time was money, to provide safe housing, it made us stronger although I am having some problems with my pension at the moment, talk it over with Her in Doors see what She wants out of life, I she need to speak to someone who has been there done that and got the T shirt many times over, phone number on request, good luck

I’ve just check my contract and all it says is ( if asked to work out of town that the room and breakfast And expenses are payed for by the company ) it doesn’t mention having to go. It says if asked. Not you will be expected to go

 

[buzzlightyear]

A contract of employment can be altered only with the agreement of both parties. When any change to a contract of employment is actioned, employers are required to give written notification of the variations within a month of the changes being agreed and put in place. i sometimes work part time in litigation in suits ,lol.

 

[Pete999]

Absolutely everyone has their own priorities, but it's not fair to blame the firm.

I've known guys who have taken jobs at practically cost price over in England when the work has dried up here in Ireland. Just so they could keep their squad of men in work. This wasn't a good thing either, if there is no meat in the profits it's very easy to be making a loss if anything goes wrong.

Some fellas went to England others stayed at home, they were reemployed when the squad came back to Ireland.

If "The firm" specialises in working away from home and you understand the situation, then you can't sudden;y decide you don't like the situation, and that 'sall that's available,what do you expect "the firm" to do? shell out a salary or wage for nil input? come on Mate live in the real world.

 

[John Matrix]

So they lay him off then, no hard feelings and we'll see you in April.

What's two years redundancy worth.

If there's no work locally what do you expect the firm to do? They're taking on this extra work as a stop gap to keep the boys in work. I've seen it happen lots of times.

There is thow. They just implied that if it did ever dry up we could potentially be layed off. I would say this is to give us a gentle nudge to go away
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If "The firm" specialises in working away from home and you understand the situation, then you can't sudden;y decide you don't like the situation, and that 'sall that's available,what do you expect "the firm" to do? shell out a salary or wage for nil input? come on Mate live in the real world.

When I joined I was told working away was very few and far between. I’ve known one job that’s been away since being here. Like I said I did 12 months at a time in London getting the tube to the job. I’ve worked away for over 17 years on and off. I’ve done my time.

 

[Pete999]

There is thow. They just implied that if it did ever dry up we could potentially be layed off. I would say this is to give us a gentle nudge to go away
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When I joined I was told working away was very few and far between. I’ve known one job that’s been away since being here. Like I said I did 12 months at a time in London getting the tube to the job. I’ve worked away for over 17 years on and off. I’ve done my time.

Seems to me that "working away" means different things to different people, grow some and get on with it!!

 

[John Matrix]

Seems to me that "working away" means different things to different people, grow some and get on with it!!

Why should I be miserable thow and make my family miserable like I said. If 17 years of doing it isn’t enough then I don’t know what is.

 

[StephenRowley]

What's two years redundancy worth.

Minimum of two weeks pay.

As other say it really depend son what your Contract.

 

[Pete999]

Why should I be miserable thow and make my family miserable like I said. If 17 years of doing it isn’t enough then I don’t know what is.

What is your experience of working away then John? try and aI don't want to harp on wot/rking away in the near east for 12 months see how that compares

 

[John Matrix]

What is your experience of working away then John? try and aI don't want to harp on wot/rking away in the near east for 12 months see how that compares

What is your experience of working away then John? try and aI don't want to harp on wot/rking away in the near east for 12 months see how that compares

whats this then. I’ve had a harder life than you contest? I’ve had it bad working overseas? I’ve asked a simple enough question. If you ain’t going to offer genuine advice then do one. I survived cancer 2 years ago. How’s that for a tough time

 

[Pete999]

whats this then. I’ve had a harder life than you contest? I’ve had it bad working overseas? I’ve asked a simple enough question. If you ain’t going to offer genuine advice then do one. I survived cancer 2 years ago. How’s that for a tough time

"Some Old Boy" seems I hit a raw nerve Mate

 

[John Matrix]

"Some Old Boy" seems I hit a raw nerve Mate

You hit a nerve by trying to make out like I haven’t worked hard and haven’t payed my dues. Like I said. After what’s happened to me I ain’t spending my time being miserable. So yeah telling me to grow a pair hit a nerve mate. Go through months of chemo and then get back to working full time afterwards. Then let’s see how big your balls are.

 

[Baddegg]

In answer to your question @John Matrix yes it does sound like your employer could make you work away.,..,only you can decide if you want to do that.....me personally having grown up with my father always away working would never put my children through it, life is to short to be missing the people you care about,whatever the outcome I hope it all works out for ya mate

 

[Pete999]

You hit a nerve by trying to make out like I haven’t worked hard and haven’t payed my dues.

Never meant to imply that Mate, if I did appologies

You hit a nerve by trying to make out like I haven’t worked hard and haven’t payed my dues.

It's just you seemed very vocal on the subject John with very little subject matter. if my post irked your mojo, like I said earlier appologies.

 

[Megawatt]

Hi John
From someone who has worked away from home a lot including overseas which was part of the equation.
I would humbly suggest, that if you have a contract of employment that requires you to work away from home, which no longer suits your personal conditions, but is the only work your company can provide for you, then to be blunt you need to weight the pros and cons equally, it maybe that they could lay you off due to lack of work opportunities, depends on what your contract pf employment says.
I had a young family and went away for a year no leave hard but it paid the bills, it could be that you need to speak to your other half and discuss the pros and cons of working away, I guess it's down to you and your family to weigh up what the important issues are mine and my families at the time was money, to provide safe housing, it made us stronger although I am having some problems with my pension at the moment, talk it over with Her in Doors see what She wants out of life, I she need to speak to someone who has been there done that and got the T shirt many times over, phone number on request, good luck

John listen to what @Pete999 has to say this man has been there and done that. He’s worked in countries that we wouldn’t even want to go to. Good luck

Hi John
From someone who has worked away from home a lot including overseas which was part of the equation.
I would humbly suggest, that if you have a contract of employment that requires you to work away from home, which no longer suits your personal conditions, but is the only work your company can provide for you, then to be blunt you need to weight the pros and cons equally, it maybe that they could lay you off due to lack of work opportunities, depends on what your contract pf employment says.
I had a young family and went away for a year no leave hard but it paid the bills, it could be that you need to speak to your other half and discuss the pros and cons of working away, I guess it's down to you and your family to weigh up what the important issues are mine and my families at the time was money, to provide safe housing, it made us stronger although I am having some problems with my pension at the moment, talk it over with Her in Doors see what She wants out of life, I she need to speak to someone who has been there done that and got the T shirt many times over, phone number on request, good luck

whats this then. I’ve had a harder life than you contest? I’ve had it bad working overseas? I’ve asked a simple enough question. If you ain’t going to offer genuine advice then do one. I survived cancer 2 years ago. How’s that for a tough time

whats this then. I’ve had a harder life than you contest? I’ve had it bad working overseas? I’ve asked a simple enough question. If you ain’t going to offer genuine advice then do one. I survived cancer 2 years ago. How’s that for a tough time

John you ain’t the only one that has health problems on this forum. I think that this conversation needs to be ended. What’s said is what’s said so walk away

 

[Baddegg]

John listen to what @Pete999 has to say this man has been there and done that. He’s worked in countries that we wouldn’t even want to go to. Good luck


John you ain’t the only one that has health problems on this forum. I think that this conversation needs to be ended. What’s said is what’s said so walk away

I can’t see how Pete having worked in rough countries has any bearing on wether this mans employer can make him work away?
This man has clearly come on hear for some advice and doesn’t deserve to be shouted down and insulted because he doesn’t measure up to some one else’s views on what constitutes as working away....

 

[KWCFC]

In my opinion it sounds like you really don't want to work away, (understandable) and if that's the case then don't.

You might end up going to work everyday with resentment and anger at your situation which doesn't benefit anyone.

Start saving money away now and get your CV in order just in case.

 

[Pete999]

I can’t see how Pete having worked in rough countries has any bearing on wether this mans employer can make him work away?
This man has clearly come on hear for some advice and doesn’t deserve to be shouted down and insulted because he doesn’t measure up to some one else’s views on what constitutes as working away....

I think the crux of this issue is not whether I (Pete999) worked I "rough countries or whatever" the crux is I knew what I had signed up for, hence no recriminations on my employers, I knew to some degree "what I was letting myself in for, so did my wife" that's all nothing else end of. If explaining what and where I had been constitutes " shouting down " then I'm guilty, I believe that this is not the case, and disagree with your inference Badegg.

 

[ipf]

So, if they've no work locally at present, do you expect them to pay you a wage if you won't work away?
You've got to go with the flow. Seems to me they're being fair for indicating home work in the near future, when available.
If you don't want the work, don't go. You could always ask them to keep you in hand for the future. Explain your situation to 'em.

 

[gerry.slater65@]

It’s only work my friend. Not the important stuff.
Do what makes you happy.

 

[Pete999]

It’s only work my friend. Not the important stuff.
Do what makes you happy.

It's what makes you solvent, after all that's what you go to work for isn't it?
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It's what makes you solvent, after all that's what you go to work for isn't it?

So what do you go to work for then, Gary?

 

[gerry.slater65@]

It's what makes you solvent, after all that's what you go to work for isn't it?

That’s what work is for, yes.
If you think that work is a main priority in life, you’re probably not doing it right.

 

[ruston]

Sometimes the heart has to rule the head , and I think in your case you already know that.
I agree with the comments that this is a situation that has to be discussed between you and your boss , giving you all this option says something about him in my opinion.
There must be some local work , it seems strange if it has all dried up, he will surely need some local staff.
In any event , my best wishes go to you and your family .

 

[gerry.slater65@]

It's what makes you solvent, after all that's what you go to work for isn't it?
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So what do you go to work for then, Gary?

So I can join these sites and talk to deliberately obtuse workaholics.

 

[Pete999]

That’s what work is for, yes.
If you think that work is a main priority in life, you’re probably not doing it right.

I'm not working any more Gerry done my bit now down to you young cubs, I worked all my life to provide for my Family, Kids and extended family, " not doing it right" how dare you.

 

[plugsandsparks]

To answer the op: You have been asked how you feel about working away. My advice is to be clear with your employer how you feel about it and give them the reasons (if you feel its appropriate). Working away does suit some people, more than others, sometimes people do enjoy the variety and freedom of working away, some hate it as its lost time with young children and anxious partners.
Make your feelings clear to the employer and hopefully everyone can be accommodated without layoffs.

 

[Baddegg]

I think the crux of this issue is not whether I (Pete999) worked I "rough countries or whatever" the crux is I knew what I had signed up for, hence no recriminations on my employers, I knew to some degree "what I was letting myself in for, so did my wife" that's all nothing else end of. If explaining what and where I had been constitutes " shouting down " then I'm guilty, I believe that this is not the case, and disagree with your inference Badegg.

I was referring to the grow a pair comment Pete

 

[westward10]

Okay can we keep this friendly please. Seeing how high one can ---- up the wall is achieving nothing,

 

[ipf]

So I can join these sites and talk to deliberately obtuse workaholics.

Take it easy 'gary' ...….don't get the wrong angle on Pete.

 

[gerry.slater65@]

I'm not working any more Gerry done my bit now down to you young cubs, I worked all my life to provide for my Family, Kids and extended family, " not doing it right" how dare you.

Well done you. I’m a retired cub too.
I see so many that work is a main priority, it’s a mere lubricant in the grindstone of life. If you’re spoiling for a row..... you’re too late, it’s past my bedtime. ?

 

[Pete999]

Take it easy 'gary' ...….don't get the wrong angle on Pete.

Well done you. I’m a retired cub too.
I see so many that work is a main priority, it’s a mere lubricant in the grindstone of life. If you’re spoiling for a row..... you’re too late, it’s past my bedtime. ?

OK Good night ?

 

[ipf]

Sometimes the heart has to rule the head , and I think in your case you already know that.
I agree with the comments that this is a situation that has to be discussed between you and your boss , giving you all this option says something about him in my opinion.
There must be some local work , it seems strange if it has all dried up, he will surely need some local staff.
In any event , my best wishes go to you and your family .

Hi rus, not seen you around for a while. All OK, mate?

 

[rapparee]

Sometimes the heart has to rule the head , and I think in your case you already know that.
I agree with the comments that this is a situation that has to be discussed between you and your boss , giving you all this option says something about him in my opinion.
There must be some local work , it seems strange if it has all dried up, he will surely need some local staff.
In any event , my best wishes go to you and your family .

Yes, there could be local work to keep a few men going, but if you are in the business of running big squads, then the firm might possibly, won't bother with this and just go after a few big jobs to keep them tied over whilst they're between contracts. The OP might have to stay at home and work for himself and live off homers for the next few months until the firm returns.

PS, good to "see" you again Ruston

 

[ruston]

Yes, there could be local work to keep a few men going, but if you are in the business of running big squads, then the firm might possibly, won't bother with this and just go after a few big jobs to keep them tied over whilst they're between contracts. The OP might have to stay at home and work for himself and live off homers for the next few months until the firm returns.

PS, good to "see" you again Ruston

You too rap, I am still around and follow your posts, so be a good lad.
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Hi rus, not seen you around for a while. All OK, mate?

Yes thanks , had a few knock backs, but nothing too serious this time.
I am doing ok now though, starting physiotherapy tomorrow morning.

 

[ipf]

You too rap, I am still around and follow your posts, so be a good lad.
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Yes thanks , had a few knock backs, but nothing too serious this time.
I am doing ok now though, starting physiotherapy tomorrow morning.

I'll PM you, pal.

 

[Dan]

PLEASE BE PROFESSIONAL WITH EACH OTHER I WILL DO SOME HOUSEKEEPING TOMORROW.

 

[Midwest]

Her indoors works in HR. So I’ve asked her opinions on such matters (not giving away personal information of course).

If I recall, contracts of employment can be in written form or verbal. The contracts can be changed by the employer, if circumstances change.

IMO for the OP, if your not happy with the prospects with your current employment, I would start looking for different employment, that more suits your circumstances.

I would recommend you contact Acas, and get some free and professional advice, about your current situation;

Contact us | Acas

Contact details for Acas, including phone numbers to call our helpline, training and other Acas services.

www.acas.org.uk

(that’s her indoors advice)

 

[John Matrix]

So, if they've no work locally at present, do you expect them to pay you a wage if you won't work away?
You've got to go with the flow. Seems to me they're being fair for indicating home work in the near future, when available.
If you don't want the work, don't go. You could always ask them to keep you in hand for the future. Explain your situation to 'em.

They do have local work. But have a few jobs out of town and are probing to see who will go

 

[Baddegg]

They do have local work. But have a few jobs out of town and are probing to see who will go

I’d advise sitting down with your employer John and explaining your situation you may find someone else is more than happy to work away and you could balance things out between you

 

[John Matrix]

I’m sorry about my behaviour yesterday. I don’t really know what to do about it. A do not feel good about going and neither does my partner. I also feel there are others who could go even thow it’s probably not fair of me to say that