Business Travel Question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Op here. This is my other worry. My boss is so trusting that this would never cross his mind. But it was a thought I had and I think it's unfair to the other guy to put him in this situation as well.

[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.

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?"

This is perfect.

[Anonymous]

Not okay with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not okay with it.

+1 Just no thanks.
And you are right to realize that the best approach would be for you to gently point out to your cool boss that this arrangement might not good for a coed group.

[Anonymous]

I’d feel uncomfortable with all women on a business trip. (I’m a woman). I need my space to not be ON and be professional.
Much better to rent a suite with a living room for the boss. And 2 separate rooms for the other man and the women.

[Anonymous]

So, OP - what happened? I need an update.

[Anonymous]

Inappropriate and creepy and opens your company up to hostile workplace type liabilities for no good reason. This is what hotel lobbies are for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, OP - what happened? I need an update.

Haven't seen my boss yet today--it may have to wait until after the holiday. The trip is not imminent so it's not urgent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The accommodations are not so much a budget issue, it's more that the team leader (one of the males) thinks it would be a better bonding experience to all stay together. Also, the shared space in the house would be used as a quiet meeting space to brainstorm/debrief rather than having to rent/find another space. Meals would all be at restaurants/takeout so no one would be expected to cook anything like that.

As the female, if you really felt uncomfortable with the house situation, would you say something or just go along with the plans since, financially and logistically, they do make more sense?

As an aside, I am not one of the three people traveling. I am the admin who has been asked to book the house and I don't think the woman has been asked if this is ok with her. She hasn't expressed any discomfort but I feel like, as a courtesy, she should be asked. I'm just following orders but I feel like maybe I should say something to my boss, who I am sure is just not thinking about this from the female perspective.

If I was new to the company, I might not feel comfortable saying anything if the boss specifically chose this arrangement. But I think it's a bad idea, and I would much prefer a hotel. Lots of hotels have small conference rooms or other meeting spaces available, or you can get a suite with a separate living room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inappropriate and creepy and opens your company up to hostile workplace type liabilities for no good reason. This is what hotel lobbies are for.

This. I think the suite idea is weird as well. Most hotels have lobbies, restaurants, or even business rooms where you can meet.

[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.

well this is sort of what we do. Whoever is the team lead on the particular assignment usually will book a suite w/ a living room. We also make sure the entire team has access to the Executive floor. everyone has their own space yet we do have space for small team meetings and larger team meetings in the hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a woman, if you were going on a short (3 day) business trip with two male colleagues, would you be comfortable with sharing a rented house (each has own bath/bedroom) vs. staying in hotels in your own rooms? Female is new to the company, two males have worked together for many years. All are married.

From personal experience, it's best to have your own accommodations. Yes, you work with them, but at the end of the day, they are still 2 strangers.
Better to be safe than not. IMHO

[Anonymous]

I would never agree to that - the optics are really bad even if the people have worked together for years. For a new employee it would be insane. If I told me DH about it he'd say "Are they out of their f---ing minds?"