Hi l i work remote in a different state from my job.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 11:31AM UTC

   I would suggest making yourself available to travel for a few times. Remote is not going to be a given thing and if companies are willing to pay for travel be a part of a team, try. Things change at companies and being adaptable is important. You may not be able to go each time but making it to 1 every 2 wouldn't hurt. Your manager does have the impression that you don't want to. That's their perception. Atleast they're not asking you to move to where the company is located, that is fortunate, as that can be an ask, due to the needs of the business. good luck, it can be tough to arrange, maybe ask for more notice in advance so that you can make arrangements. Don't take yourself out of community of your coworkers, we all need others.

2. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

   The problem is I can’t travel.

3. Lisa Galczynski KahlerMay 17,2023 at 5:18PM UTC

   You either need to find a way to remove the barriers preventing you from travel (ie, find alternate arrangements for family care in your absence) or look for a new job. I have worked remotely for over 25 years, fully understanding the potential for travel requirements. The only other thing I can think of is to file a FMLA report with HR. Such a record could save you from being fired for not travelling when required by the company.

4. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 6:51PM UTC

   Most companies offer reasonable accommodations as well. I'm afraid of flying so my company let's me rent a car instead of buying a plane ticket. They also let me have an additional travel day without having to use PTO. Unless "can't" in this situation can be truly defined as a health issue, I don't think it will hold up with the employer.

5. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 11:27AM UTC

   I would seek an accommodation through your HR dept for that documentation and approval. Would hate to see you work yourself out of a job without taking the steps of getting that approved.

6. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 6:49PM UTC

   I think you have to explain to your company what that means. Because the answers you've given them so far don't fully back that up. Is there a documented reason you can't travel (i.e. a health or disability concern)? You don't have to tell us, but that would likely change how your company views the situation. I would also make sure you're being given the opportunity to conference in remotely.

7. AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

   I think you may need to seek other opportunities. If that is not an option than you need to arrange plans for those family issues. To be honest, you may be putting your job in jeopardy. Positions change, company needs change, etc., companies do expect their employees to be flexible.

8. Mary PoolMay 18,2023 at 1:10PM UTC

   Taking a remote position headquartered in another state and believing you will never need to travel is naïve. Make it possible to meet the needs of your job or find another one. Saying, “I’m unable to travel at this time,” sends the message that you are able but unwilling. Be flexible or be ready to accept the consequences. As time moves forward, there will be fewer and fewer remote options. (Check out Elon Musk’s rant this past week – you may not agree with what he says, but more and more companies agree with him). In a response, you say you “can’t travel.” Did you ever tell your manager why? Your responses make me think you can, but it is a significant inconvenience for you. If that is my impression, what are your managers? Unless they have details, they assume you don’t care enough about your position to make travel happen.

   Ask yourself, “How many people are out there that can do my job?” If the answer is few, you have more options, but if are hundreds of people lining up to do it, be flexible.

9. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 3:47PM UTC

   I agree that thinking there would never be travel for a company in another state is naive. The request is to get the team together- social interaction on Zoom only goes so far... as a manager, I want my team to be able to be in the same room, have dinner and after hours fun time to bond at least once a year for yearly goals. Ideally 2-4x a year if budget allows (btw... my team is global).

   I don't really agree with musk. I would never want to work for him. It's evident that he doesn't trust his employees and that's not a reason, in my opinion to have them work onsite.

   I've been remote for over 12 years, as have my teams been. We are highly productive. Other groups as well, that weren't remote, are also highly productive, more so than when they were onsite as they didn't have the long commute. Their energy level is higher from start time to finish. That all said, there are many jobs that can't be remote (mfg, restaurants, etc) or it may be a personal decision to come into the office. But to flat out say remote doesn't work.. is just false. This from a guy that cut 40% of his staff & told them all they need to be in the office when they had always been remote & working 70hrs, couldn't have something to do with it? (sorry, that's my rant).

   I also agree with the others on value to the company. I don't wish to pry, but u did post anonymously, is it a medical condition of a family member or yourself? single parent? if so did you communicate that during recruitment that you couldn't travel? If you did convey, I would remind your manager that you disclosed you couldn't travel (ever) during your hiring and was told that wouldn't be a problem.

10. AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 6:46PM UTC

    Were you unable to travel or did you not want to travel? The two reasons you gave don't seem entirely accurate from what you've said. It would be wise to either find an alternate job or to make yourself available for travel. When you say a different state does that mean you need air travel or a train to get there? Are you having to stay for multiple days or is it a same day return? Is the company covering costs?

11. AnonymousMay 19,2023 at 11:09AM UTC

    Remote opportunities definitely work and have proven numbers on productivity for employers and work life balance. If this job posting/description was written as 100% remote there should not be an expectation for you to come. If ene gave me f or annual training is recommended in another state, the company should finance the expense. All that to say I would check with HR on the original expectations to determine if you need to have a 1:1 engagement with your manager.

    if your employer has real estate /offices the ability to write those expenses off. However when the office isn’t staffed those credits are not allowed.