pushing back on frivolous business travel that can easily be conducted by Zoom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my employee pushed back on travel for “environmental reasons,” I’d be annoyed. I’d bet they still take vacations to places they want to go. The environmental thing sounds like you just don’t want to do your job.

OP here. I have a solid reputation in my organization. My technical skillset extends beyond the skillset of most other staff members, and so I'm critical for many of our climate analysis projects. Without me, there is no other person currently on the staff to do the work, and my track record is one of very high productivity. So I'm not worried about the point you make above. I am worried, however, that most people in the organization view these trips to conferences as free vacations. So my view is completely out-of-sync with almost everybody else's view. And no, I'm not taking lots of vacations to far-off locations. I carefully monitor my CO2 footprint.

But you haven’t provided a good reason why you shouldn’t go. Environmental concerns is not a reason. You are not in control of your company’s emissions

I don't really understand why any of us who don't work for OP's company should be arguing against what OP wants to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my employee pushed back on travel for “environmental reasons,” I’d be annoyed. I’d bet they still take vacations to places they want to go. The environmental thing sounds like you just don’t want to do your job.

Sounds like you need to be replaced by a more budget-conscious manager who will appreciate employees who act as good financial stewards for company funds.

That’s not really how travel budgets work.

You would be soooooo fired if you worked for me. It would be hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my employee pushed back on travel for “environmental reasons,” I’d be annoyed. I’d bet they still take vacations to places they want to go. The environmental thing sounds like you just don’t want to do your job.

OP here. I have a solid reputation in my organization. My technical skillset extends beyond the skillset of most other staff members, and so I'm critical for many of our climate analysis projects. Without me, there is no other person currently on the staff to do the work, and my track record is one of very high productivity. So I'm not worried about the point you make above. I am worried, however, that most people in the organization view these trips to conferences as free vacations. So my view is completely out-of-sync with almost everybody else's view. And no, I'm not taking lots of vacations to far-off locations. I carefully monitor my CO2 footprint.

But you haven’t provided a good reason why you shouldn’t go. Environmental concerns is not a reason. You are not in control of your company’s emissions

I don't really understand why any of us who don't work for OP's company should be arguing against what OP wants to do.

Easy explanation: they’re all people who like to travel to nice places on the company dime and pretend it’s necessary. And they’re intensely fearful this ridiculously wasteful practice is going the way of the 3-martini lunch and smoking in the office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my employee pushed back on travel for “environmental reasons,” I’d be annoyed. I’d bet they still take vacations to places they want to go. The environmental thing sounds like you just don’t want to do your job.

Sounds like you need to be replaced by a more budget-conscious manager who will appreciate employees who act as good financial stewards for company funds.

That’s not really how travel budgets work.

You would be soooooo fired if you worked for me. It would be hilarious.

You'd have to replace me quite quickly, since I'm the guy that is doing most of the technically challenging analysis -- the stuff that nobody else in the office can do (including you, if you are assuming the role of my manager). You are actually much easier to replace than me.