Business Travel Question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

I can, but that's not what he has requested--he sent me the link to the house he wants to book so he's done his research. My question is, keeping in mind that I have a great relationship with my boss and he's a cool guy, is it worth me bringing this up to him, even though the woman hasn't expressed any ill feelings towards the arrangement? Or, just keep my mouth shut and let her fend for herself if she's uncomfortable? I don't want to overstep my bounds but I want to look out for my fellow female in the event she feels uncomfortable with it but doesn't want to rock the boat as the new girl. My boss is a great guy but he's so laid-back (think tech start-up attitude) and I don't think he is looking at this from her view as a woman at all. I'm also not sure how her husband feels about this but I'm not going there with my boss--that's her business.

[Anonymous]

No I would not feel comfortable with that arrangement and I think HR would advise against it. There's just too much opportunity for something to happen or for it to be misconstrued.

[Anonymous]

As a manager, I would encourage you to bring it up with the boss. He will probably be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

This for the two men and a separate room for the woman.

The men are sharing the room? That expectation would lead me to quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I would not feel comfortable with that arrangement and I think HR would advise against it. There's just too much opportunity for something to happen or for it to be misconstrued.

Yes, this is my fear as well. I don't think my boss or the other guy would EVER do anything inappropriate but he's a little naive and I can see him saying something very innocently that could be taken the wrong way. And I don't know this female co-worker well enough to know if she is easily offended or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

I can, but that's not what he has requested--he sent me the link to the house he wants to book so he's done his research. My question is, keeping in mind that I have a great relationship with my boss and he's a cool guy, is it worth me bringing this up to him, even though the woman hasn't expressed any ill feelings towards the arrangement? Or, just keep my mouth shut and let her fend for herself if she's uncomfortable? I don't want to overstep my bounds but I want to look out for my fellow female in the event she feels uncomfortable with it but doesn't want to rock the boat as the new girl. My boss is a great guy but he's so laid-back (think tech start-up attitude) and I don't think he is looking at this from her view as a woman at all. I'm also not sure how her husband feels about this but I'm not going there with my boss--that's her business.

I don't think you can go to the woman behind your boss' back... he wouldn't like that + she is unlikely to have an honest reaction.

Best possible solution - you say to your very cool boss, "Hey Frank, I am about to book the accommodations for your travel to Texas with Alex and Jill. I know the reasons you want to stay in a house versus hotel, but I wanted to flag something for you before I book. This is a bit awkward for me to say and I apologize if I am overstepping my bounds, but I think it's important: if I was new to the company and did not know you - like Jill - I would be uncomfortable staying in this type of causal setting with two men on a work trip. Before I book, would you like to check in with her on the arrangement?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

I can, but that's not what he has requested--he sent me the link to the house he wants to book so he's done his research. My question is, keeping in mind that I have a great relationship with my boss and he's a cool guy, is it worth me bringing this up to him, even though the woman hasn't expressed any ill feelings towards the arrangement? Or, just keep my mouth shut and let her fend for herself if she's uncomfortable? I don't want to overstep my bounds but I want to look out for my fellow female in the event she feels uncomfortable with it but doesn't want to rock the boat as the new girl. My boss is a great guy but he's so laid-back (think tech start-up attitude) and I don't think he is looking at this from her view as a woman at all. I'm also not sure how her husband feels about this but I'm not going there with my boss--that's her business.

No shade, but what kind of place do you work that you are afraid to say something to your boss about something like this? My boss would be thankful because, as a man, he would not automatically see things from a woman's perspective. He would see me as saving him a potentially big headache down the line - not me "over stepping" my bounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

I can, but that's not what he has requested--he sent me the link to the house he wants to book so he's done his research. My question is, keeping in mind that I have a great relationship with my boss and he's a cool guy, is it worth me bringing this up to him, even though the woman hasn't expressed any ill feelings towards the arrangement? Or, just keep my mouth shut and let her fend for herself if she's uncomfortable? I don't want to overstep my bounds but I want to look out for my fellow female in the event she feels uncomfortable with it but doesn't want to rock the boat as the new girl. My boss is a great guy but he's so laid-back (think tech start-up attitude) and I don't think he is looking at this from her view as a woman at all. I'm also not sure how her husband feels about this but I'm not going there with my boss--that's her business.

No shade, but what kind of place do you work that you are afraid to say something to your boss about something like this? My boss would be thankful because, as a man, he would not automatically see things from a woman's perspective. He would see me as saving him a potentially big headache down the line - not me "over stepping" my bounds.

You are right--I'll just mention it. I didn't want to get involved and cause an issue where there wasn't one. But it seems clear from these responses that I'm not alone in thinking this may be uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

I am a woman who traveled alone once for work, and requested a change to a better hotel since the one booked for me was in a seedy neighborhood with strip clubs.

[Anonymous]

It would REALLY depend on the colleagues. I've shared food with some of my coworkers.

But some have tempers and or I don't know them well and I'd be more comfortable with a hotel.

[Anonymous]

It does not seem professional to have to stay in a house with co-workers on a business trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's not a cost issue, can you book them a nice hotel suite with living room + 2 separate rooms? That way everyone has privacy AND you get quiet meeting space.

I can, but that's not what he has requested--he sent me the link to the house he wants to book so he's done his research. My question is, keeping in mind that I have a great relationship with my boss and he's a cool guy, is it worth me bringing this up to him, even though the woman hasn't expressed any ill feelings towards the arrangement? Or, just keep my mouth shut and let her fend for herself if she's uncomfortable? I don't want to overstep my bounds but I want to look out for my fellow female in the event she feels uncomfortable with it but doesn't want to rock the boat as the new girl. My boss is a great guy but he's so laid-back (think tech start-up attitude) and I don't think he is looking at this from her view as a woman at all. I'm also not sure how her husband feels about this but I'm not going there with my boss--that's her business.

No shade, but what kind of place do you work that you are afraid to say something to your boss about something like this? My boss would be thankful because, as a man, he would not automatically see things from a woman's perspective. He would see me as saving him a potentially big headache down the line - not me "over stepping" my bounds.

You are right--I'll just mention it. I didn't want to get involved and cause an issue where there wasn't one. But it seems clear from these responses that I'm not alone in thinking this may be uncomfortable.

My boss is a great guy and would totally not think of the woman’s perspective in this. I’d absolutely call him out on it, just like I do when I need to reign him in from a PR nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a manager, I would encourage you to bring it up with the boss. He will probably be grateful.

This. Plus the woman traveling is new to the company and may not want to make a fuss. I think it's very thoughtful of you OP to look out for her, and I do hope you'll say something to your boss.

[Anonymous]

As a man, I would not be comfortable with this arrangement. There is just too much of a chance for something to be misinterpreted or if there to be a misunderstanding, especially with everything in the news now.

[Anonymous]

It's up to the travelers to fend for themselves.