Negotiating travel?

Anonymous

July 27,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

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Negotiating travel? I've been at my current place of employment for almost 15 years. In that time, I've grown from an entry-level position into a director position. My company is wonderful; however, very lax when it comes to discussing job role changes or expectations. It is a relatively informal process without a written job description or new contract. I am coming to another crossroads in my career and am concerned about additional expectations, specifically travel. Travel has been one of those "hidden expectations" throughout my career. At first, there was none, then it grew and seems to continue to grow. I've been vocal up to this point and travel has been just occasionally, so I pick my battles when needed. When it comes up, it is sporadic and unplanned, making it hard to know how much to expect.

However, now being an expecting mother with a small toddler at home, travel isn't on the table for me, unless limited and planned. It is a dealbreaker after a certain point, despite how much I love my job. I am looking for insight on how to set these boundaries as changes occur, especially from anyone who also works in a more lax setting where not everything is on paper and every job duty is formally outlined.

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AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 2:32PM UTC
I would firstly go to your manager and make your concerns known. You should absolutely make sure they know that sporadic and unplanned travel is completely off the table.
Julie SencionAugust 4,2022 at 4:12PM UTC
First, go and have the discussion with your manager. Share your concerns that the request/required travel has been sporadic and unplanned in the past and that now that you have small children, you will need appropriate time to plan for travel. Only you can define what appropriate time is. I would also define how often this is with you manager. Hopefully you will be able to figure it out with them. If you do I would follow back up in email to them recapping the conversation and agreed expectations. This is the best way to hold your boundaries and make sure they adhere to them as well. If need be you may have to go up a level and have the conversation if your manager is not agreeable or vague in committing to planned travel.
The most important thing is as you discuss this and share that you love what you do, that you hold true to your boundaries. If you give a little they will think it is all negotiable.