Sharing a hotel room for work? (credit, bankruptcy, employers, interest)

[troymclure]

Originally Posted by TheIconoclast

There is a conference coming up next month and a number of employees are attending. The company expects us to room with another same sex co-worker which is not typical. I like my co-workers, but after a 12 hour day at the conference and nights out networking, I cannot fathom returning to a shared space. I need time alone and I don’t want to worry about sharing a bathroom, what time I get in, snoring, etc.

I’m such a private person in this respect that I’m considering refusing to go. How would/have you handle this and what would you do?

Personally, I wouldn't do this unless I was sharing a room with a co-worker who was also a good friend. (Of course, the common C-D wisdom is never ever become friends with co-workers.)

I used to travel with co-workers a lot for work (much of it on government contract), and we were never asked to do this. The closest we came to this situation was when we went on a company sponsored retreat, and we were asked to carpool there (we still had separate hotel rooms). I didn't mind this, since I was good friends with the guys riding with me.

If this conference is optional, though, you probably have to take or leave it.

[NewYorkiforniainHouston]

Originally Posted by TheIconoclast

It is four nights.

Does your potential roomie also want a private room? Maybe you can reserve a 2nd room, roomie stays in the company one and you two split the cost of the 2nd room. (this way both get their own room at half price)

Then again for four days, splitting the cost may be hard to pull off. At an average of $150 a night you're looking at $600 total, or $300 each.

If it were me, i'd at least ask if we can pick our own roommies, read: the lesser of two evils, and just barrel through it. Bring your electronic devices, earplugs, sleep mask, etc. Ugh...just thinking about sharing the bathroom is making me cringe, and i'm not even going!! What would be the solution? Agree that all the "you-know-what business" will be in the public bathrooms to avoid having to wear gas masks in the room??!! (Just being real ) LOL I don't know what i'd do!!! Good luck OP!!!

If you don't go though, your reputation at this company will be blown no doubt. You will be seen as an "non team player", and we all know how today's work culture loves and promotes that crapola.

[eureka1]

Originally Posted by TheIconoclast

It is four nights.

Then pay the difference yourself. And expect to get a rep as difficult.

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Then pay the difference yourself. And expect to get a rep as difficult.

I do not think if a person pays for a room as themselves they get a rep as difficult. Really the roommate should be happy and you would not have to tell anyone else. If someone asked I would just say that I like to get up super early to work out.

[blktoptrvl]

If the company wants me to go, they will pay for a private room. I'm not a Ponderosa "hand" sharing the bunk house.
There are people with whom I worked that I would not not want to share a lunch table - let alone a bedroom.

My stance on this issue was always - No. I am not sharing - companies that thought the event was important enough paid for the single - those that didn't - insisted on a double and I refused to go.

Problem solved.

PS. I know jobs are scarce - but there are far too many people who will put up with anything from a company. They are not my mother. They are not my father. Treat me with respect - or I will go to another company. Period.

[MckinneyOwnr]

I've only had to share a room once. It wasn't company policy for that to happen, but the hotel happened to be oversold and there were no available rooms at surrounding hotels either.

The closest hotel that would have had an available room was probably a good 15 miles away, and it would probably take 45-50 min to get from there to the convention center in rush hour traffic.

The problem was, while the company didn't make us share a room, they did make us share a rental car. So, in the end, for that time, it was easier on ourselves to just share a room than to have to screw around with picking the other up at a hotel that was conveniently located. It was just for two nights.

I personally wouldn't share a room if that was company policy. I'd pay the difference for a room of my own if that is what it took. It's worth it to me.

[s1alker]

The company is being cheap. When I worked in low-wage retail several times I volunteered to travel to help set up new stores. I was paid mileage and had a fully paid private hotel room.

[greekchampion04]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

I know right? When I joined the Army they shipped me to Fort Benning where they expected me to share the room with like 40 other guys. I politely told them I needed more space and if they could get me other accommodations.

Somebody please rep this post. CD won't let me.

[Ted Bear]

I have done both.....private room at conferences, and shared a room. The "share a room" company could certainly afford to pay for private rooms. They billed it as "team building".

I personally thought it was creepy and disgusting. It's one thing when you are a teen, but as an adult, you need your own space and don't need to see your co-workers in their underwear!

Options, as discussed, are don't go; go and grin and bear it; go and get a private room on your own dime. I like the suggestion of finding a person who also wishes to have a private room and you arrange to room together and then split the cost of the "extra" room.

Be careful...this is a lot like the Friday drinking parties.....you can get ostracized pretty quickly if you are not seen as a team player.

[veuvegirl]

My old job we did this every year. The first year I was nervous as hell because I like my own space too. It turned out not to be too bad. This was five nights!

That said, if you don't want to share, offer to pay for your own room. That simple.