Weirded out

[DebbieB]

My business is sending me for training out of state. I had been looking forward to the course, but know it will involve a lot of work. Today they introduced me to someone from another office and then informed us that we will be sharing a hotel room for the length of the course (6 weeks, Monday through Fridays). I am totally weirded out by sharing a hotel room with a woman I don't know! I am a private person!! The woman seems very nice, but well, this is someone I'd like to be next door to not in the same room.

Oh and they also informed us that they are not covering any meal expenses, we are on our own for this, which we had previously told were covered.

I am trying to keep an open mind about this, but I am really uncomfortable. I told my boss, she said there is nothing she can do. Anyone done this before?

How large is the company? How long have you worked for this company? Is this course required for your current job or is it career development?

I work for a major insurance company and travel alot, the last time I had to share a room was about 10 years ago and that was only for 1 night at a regional conference. Our meals are covered, although we have a daily guideline by city (not per diem). Anything else related to the trip is covered - parking, transportation, even tips.

I would give it a shot and if it doesn't work out, you will have to decide how much you want this job. Could be an indicator of how you will be treated in the future.

 

[AKL_Megs]

When I went out of state for flight attendant training, I shared a room with another woman.

It was weird at first, but you get used to it.

Honestly, you spend most time training, and mingling in common areas with others. There was a lot of sitting by the pool, dinner in the lobby, etc.

She is now someone I call a good friend.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Update- Going back to work Monday and dropping the course.

Sharing a room was extremely uncomfortable for me. My roomie was very messy and a smoker so the room smelled of stale french fries and cigarette smoke. I think she was smoking in the room while I was out, she denied it, but I was really afraid we would get charged. Oh and she decided to use my hair brush and flat iron when I was out of the room, I didn't see her do it, but it was obvious from my brush and my flat iron was not wrapped like I wrap it. I asked her if she touched it, she denied it, but um, her hair was straight.

The out of pocket cost for meals is just going to be too much. I am not willing to foot the whole bill. I ate mostly Wendy's for dinner, they had good salads and baked potatoes. The hotel had a pastry spread for breakfast, but nothing healthy. Lunch options were very limited, we got 30 minutes and there was only one place close and it was an expensive deli.

My boss said she is dissapointed that so many of us were dropping out, I told her it is just going to be too uncomfortable and too expensive. They are planning to repair up people who drop, so there will be no private rooms.

 

[Green Tea]

Update- Going back to work Monday and dropping the course.

Sharing a room was extremely uncomfortable for me. My roomie was very messy and a smoker so the room smelled of stale french fries and cigarette smoke. I think she was smoking in the room while I was out, she denied it, but I was really afraid we would get charged. Oh and she decided to use my hair brush and flat iron when I was out of the room, I didn't see her do it, but it was obvious from my brush and my flat iron was not wrapped like I wrap it. I asked her if she touched it, she denied it, but um, her hair was straight.

The out of pocket cost for meals is just going to be too much. I am not willing to foot the whole bill. I ate mostly Wendy's for dinner, they had good salads and baked potatoes. The hotel had a pastry spread for breakfast, but nothing healthy. Lunch options were very limited, we got 30 minutes and there was only one place close and it was an expensive deli.

My boss said she is dissapointed that so many of us were dropping out, I told her it is just going to be too uncomfortable and too expensive. They are planning to repair up people who drop, so there will be no private rooms.

The whole thing is just too bizarre! You are adult, professional folks. Being treated like 18 year old college freshmen is just weird. I would not have even been able to try it.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

I had hoped that if enough people dropped out we could get our own rooms. They said no. And some people from other regions had not been informed we were sharing. They found out at check in! That did not go over well.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Update- Going back to work Monday and dropping the course.

Sharing a room was extremely uncomfortable for me. My roomie was very messy and a smoker so the room smelled of stale french fries and cigarette smoke. I think she was smoking in the room while I was out, she denied it, but I was really afraid we would get charged. Oh and she decided to use my hair brush and flat iron when I was out of the room, I didn't see her do it, but it was obvious from my brush and my flat iron was not wrapped like I wrap it. I asked her if she touched it, she denied it, but um, her hair was straight.

The out of pocket cost for meals is just going to be too much. I am not willing to foot the whole bill. I ate mostly Wendy's for dinner, they had good salads and baked potatoes. The hotel had a pastry spread for breakfast, but nothing healthy. Lunch options were very limited, we got 30 minutes and there was only one place close and it was an expensive deli.

My boss said she is dissapointed that so many of us were dropping out, I told her it is just going to be too uncomfortable and too expensive. They are planning to repair up people who drop, so there will be no private rooms.

Sorry it did not work out for you.

Your roommate sounds like a pig. Glad you are leaving because that just sounds like hell.

 

[beaucoup]

Sounds like who ever planned all this and picked the venue did an extremely poor job in ensuring there were enough hotels and restaurants in the area for all budgets.

 

[tlbwriter]

Well, that stinks. If they ask why you're dropping out, I would have no problem telling them that you couldn't afford to eat out every meal, your roommate used your personal items without your consent, and she also smoked in the room and you're concerned you'll be charged for it. They need to know what they're asking people to put up with.

 

[Tinkermommy]

This thread makes me appreciate my company more.

I have never had to share a room. We just had our sales meeting in Rome and there were not enough rooms for everyone to have their own. They asked people to share (this was for 6 nights). Everyone who shared got an extra night free at the hotel is they wanted to stay and explore Rome one more day.

A friend and I decided to share. It was fun. Like another pp said, kind of like a sleepover. It helped that the bathroom was split and we each got a vanity and sink.

We also don't have a per diem. I just go where I want to eat. My boss is "high maintenance" and doesn't mind if we stay at nicer hotels and eat at high end places (think Capital Grille) since that's how she rolls!

Several of us also had to stay over a weekend in Amsterdam for work last year. We stayed downtown and all meals paid. Not a bad deal for giving up your weekend!

I would be very leery of a company that wouldn't even give me a modest per diem for meals while I was on business travel regardless if I wanted to take the course or not.

 

[kidzmom3]

It sounds awful, but I hope you don't have any work repercussions from dropping out. I am sure they will have to pay for you no matter what as you can't just stop paying for a class because you stopped going.

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

This simular situation happened to me many years ago. I started a new job and they sent me for training and had me share a room with a much younger women. I woke up in the middle of the night with her having relations with a man we had briefly met over dinner at Ruby Tuesday's . I was never so embarrassed in my life, laying in bed next to them with curlers in my hair, I wanted to run. Needless to say the next morning I packed my bags and had to figure out a way to get the heck outta there. Was not fun and 12 yrs later I still feel tramatized..LOL
When I spoke with managment about this they just branded me an " old foogie" and I quit after that. It was just for a local Chiropractic office and they lasted about two yrs. not a suprise.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Update- Going back to work Monday and dropping the course.

Sharing a room was extremely uncomfortable for me. My roomie was very messy and a smoker so the room smelled of stale french fries and cigarette smoke. I think she was smoking in the room while I was out, she denied it, but I was really afraid we would get charged. Oh and she decided to use my hair brush and flat iron when I was out of the room, I didn't see her do it, but it was obvious from my brush and my flat iron was not wrapped like I wrap it. I asked her if she touched it, she denied it, but um, her hair was straight.

The out of pocket cost for meals is just going to be too much. I am not willing to foot the whole bill. I ate mostly Wendy's for dinner, they had good salads and baked potatoes. The hotel had a pastry spread for breakfast, but nothing healthy. Lunch options were very limited, we got 30 minutes and there was only one place close and it was an expensive deli.

My boss said she is dissapointed that so many of us were dropping out, I told her it is just going to be too uncomfortable and too expensive. They are planning to repair up people who drop, so there will be no private rooms.

Just read your update. I think you are doing the right thing. Smoking makes me sick (literally) and that she touched your things and lied about it is creepy!

I would document all that happened with your roommate and send it to your boss to CYA. Sounds like you weren't the only one. Perhaps they will reevaluate these practices in the future.

 

[Traveliz]

This simular situation happened to me many years ago. I started a new job and they sent me for training and had me share a room with a much younger women. I woke up in the middle of the night with her having relations with a man we had briefly met over dinner at Ruby Tuesday's . I was never so embarrassed in my life, laying in bed next to them with curlers in my hair, I wanted to run. Needless to say the next morning I packed my bags and had to figure out a way to get the heck outta there. Was not fun and 12 yrs later I still feel tramatized..LOL
When I spoke with managment about this they just branded me an " old foogie" and I quit after that. It was just for a local Chiropractic office and they lasted about two yrs. not a suprise.

Oh my.

Liz

 

[sparklynails23]

I wish you could tell us what company you work for so we're all forewarned.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Will the room have 2 beds or 1? Some hotels only offer Kings. Or I may have that the other way around, only 2 twins.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My business is sending me for training out of state. I had been looking forward to the course, but know it will involve a lot of work. Today they introduced me to someone from another office and then informed us that we will be sharing a hotel room for the length of the course (6 weeks, Monday through Fridays). I am totally weirded out by sharing a hotel room with a woman I don't know! I am a private person!! The woman seems very nice, but well, this is someone I'd like to be next door to not in the same room.

Oh and they also informed us that they are not covering any meal expenses, we are on our own for this, which we had previously told were covered.

I am trying to keep an open mind about this, but I am really uncomfortable. I told my boss, she said there is nothing she can do. Anyone done this before?

No, When I was employed by a company many moons ago, my training took me out of state for a three week training situation. We were given individual rooms, they covered all meals and weekend stipend (for our free time).
I guess times have changed and everyone is cutting back Whatever the reason, I would be annoyed with 1) them not covering meals 2) not covering the Meals they said they Would previously (that type of behavior is not a good indicator of their professionalism IMHO) and 3) that you were kept in the dark about "sharing" a room.
But, in todays economy, can you grin and bear it despite being annoyed? Best of Luck!!

 

[Leajess99]

Update- Going back to work Monday and dropping the course.

Sharing a room was extremely uncomfortable for me. My roomie was very messy and a smoker so the room smelled of stale french fries and cigarette smoke. I think she was smoking in the room while I was out, she denied it, but I was really afraid we would get charged. Oh and she decided to use my hair brush and flat iron when I was out of the room, I didn't see her do it, but it was obvious from my brush and my flat iron was not wrapped like I wrap it. I asked her if she touched it, she denied it, but um, her hair was straight.

The out of pocket cost for meals is just going to be too much. I am not willing to foot the whole bill. I ate mostly Wendy's for dinner, they had good salads and baked potatoes. The hotel had a pastry spread for breakfast, but nothing healthy. Lunch options were very limited, we got 30 minutes and there was only one place close and it was an expensive deli.

My boss said she is dissapointed that so many of us were dropping out, I told her it is just going to be too uncomfortable and too expensive. They are planning to repair up people who drop, so there will be no private rooms.

Unreal!!! I would have dropped as well and I used to have to share a barracks room. If she can't respect your property or your health than there is no telling what else she would have done.

It really does sound like the company needs to do some better pairing for courses of such a length.

 

[aprilgail2]

I give you credit- I wouldn't have lasted a day! Smokers have an odor on them at all times and in a closed hotel room that alone would have been to much for me....nevermind her touching my things and using my brush I would have freaked LOL.

 

[surfergirl602]

I would be calling my corporate. lol

 

[tlbwriter]

So, what happened when you told them you were dropping out?