Weirded out

[dmslush]

My employer did that once.. granted it was just for a 3 day conference, but they wanted me to room with someone that I had never met. Luckily, my brother lived in the same town that they were having the conference, so I stayed at his house.

For what it is worth OP, the woman you are staying with is probably as freaked out as you are!

 

[cheshireqt]

6 weeks is way to long to share a hotel with anyone, let alone a coworker. You two are going to know a lot of interesting things about each other by the end of that time
I think I would spend as little time in the room as possible. Shower, dressing, teeth brushing, sleep.
Hope she is nice and considerate!

 

[Rora]

OP- this situation sucks! And is very strange, period.

Honestly, I'd do my best to suck it up and stay with this woman. I hope she is normal and nice. Keep in mind she's probably just as weirded out about this as you are (not that it makes it any easier). If things don't go well, I'd spend the money and just get your own room.

IMO, I wouldn't skip the training. I'd be angry at my company for the situation and I'd express that, but I'd still go and try to make the best of it. At least you have the option of getting your own room.

Best of luck!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would hate that, is there anyway they would pay for half a room and you pay for another half?

I was thinking about that possibility too.

 

[LindaG4458]

I used to work for a computer services company that would hold required training in two-week segments. We had people, male and female, from Maine to Hawaii and Dallas to Detroit. We were required to (same gender) share rooms. It was considered part of team-building. At the time I was from MA and roomed with a woman from Chicago. We remained friendly until I left the company.

I was in my thirties at the time; one of the attendees was in her fifties. They carefully assigned the roommates so each would benefit from the experience. The older woman roomed with a somewhat younger person who was there with a number of coworkers. She would, therefore, be exposed to several people rather than remain isolated.

I must admit, there was a certain amount of hanky-panky that went on (neither roommate nor I participated). One guy in his mid-twenties left his wife for a fellow employee in her late-thirties. He had not known her prior to this training.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

I am a very private person, I don't like to change in front of people etc. There will be a lot of people there for this training I am curious to see how other regions are handling this. If they get their own rooms, I am going to be upset with our director. Well, more upset, I should say since I am already pretty angry. I am willing to bet she will be in her own room. My husband thinks I should ask to share with her, and see what kind of reasons she gives when she says no. Haha. Then make her give me my own.

 

[Uuaww]

6 weeks? are you staying at an extended stay hotel? I've done this countless times for my job and everytime I had to "share" it was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite with a common living/kitchen area.

 

[kimmar067]

Why are they making you share a room with a stranger? I wouldn't do that. I used to travel for business and I stayed ALONE everytime. I was the only woman thankfully so it wasn't an issue. DH had to travel a couple years ago and had the opporunity to stay at one hotel with a coworker- or they could stay individually at a cheaper hotel across the street. They opted for the cheaper hotel.

....plus, I'm not sure, but this could be illegal. I was involved for a long time with our pee-wee rec cheering program and we always traveled to one out-of-state competition. Part of the contract with the bus company was that we had to provide lodging (but not meals) for the 2 bus drivers. WE HAD TO PROVIDE 2 SEPARATE ROOMS FOR THE DRIVERS....

 

[kimmar067]

I am a very private person, I don't like to change in front of people etc. There will be a lot of people there for this training I am curious to see how other regions are handling this. If they get their own rooms, I am going to be upset with our director. Well, more upset, I should say since I am already pretty angry. I am willing to bet she will be in her own room. My husband thinks I should ask to share with her, and see what kind of reasons she gives when she says no. Haha. Then make her give me my own.

...its worth a shot.

 

[anniemae]

I would not like that at all. Every time I traveled for business, I had my own room.

I think the meals is totally wrong. They should definately pay for that. Maybe if it is voluntary training they get out of paying for meals? Six weeks of paying for meals will add up quick. You would think they would at least provide breakfast and lunch.

 

[mickeysgal]

In order to minimize the time together and to give you some private time, I guess you can spend a lot of time in the lobby reading, watching TV (usually they have TV's there), etc. If this is a job you really want, and this is their standard practice, then you're going to have to make the decision to either put up with it or quit. Is it insensitive? Sure is - 6 weeks is a long time to buddy up with someone. As far as changing in front of someone, don't. Just go into the bathroom with your clothes.

What I don't understand is the lack of a per diem. Nothing, nada? Some companies pick up only dinner...they think that the hotel has a buffet breakfast and even when you're home and working, you usually buy out lunch anyway, so they rationalize that they only need to provide dinner money. Are you sure it's ALL on your dime?

 

[phinz]

My company never makes us share rooms, even if we're sharing a car.

 

[Philagoofy]

I'm not trying to be funny, but, just in case they are booked up, I hope the hotel knows in advance that you need double beds, not a king size.

I would not like this situation either. It sounds like the company thinks it's doing you a favor by allowing you to take the training, paying for it and a hotel room, because it's something that you want and is not necessarily mandatory. But it benefits the company down the road by having a better informed and happier employee. They should also pay a set amount for meals. Good luck to you.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Sounds horrible. I do not think I could do it, I am OCD about some things and the idea of having a roomie for 6 weeks would push me over the edge. I would last for about 3 days.

 

[kwelch10377]

We had a conferences for work in Oct and Nov and it included general managers from stores, field managers and then people from the corporate office. Field managers and people from corporate had their own rooms and then the general managers were required to pick a roommate.

Any other travel with our company we aren't made to share rooms and they cover all expenses. We actually have a full policy and procedure on travel that in included what is covered, what isn't.

Personally I would care about sharing a room, but I understand people who wouldn't want to. I think I would be more upset about them not covering any meals. I can't believe that they wouldn't be providing at least lunch and breakfast.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OP- this situation sucks! And is very strange, period.

Honestly, I'd do my best to suck it up and stay with this woman. I hope she is normal and nice. Keep in mind she's probably just as weirded out about this as you are (not that it makes it any easier). If things don't go well, I'd spend the money and just get your own room.

IMO, I wouldn't skip the training. I'd be angry at my company for the situation and I'd express that, but I'd still go and try to make the best of it. At least you have the option of getting your own room.

Best of luck!

Ditto. But then again I am used to close quarters with people so it would not bother me as much. However I would not be happy about that is for sure.

OP, I would certainly check your company policies to double check that your company is following it and save ALL receipts for next year's taxes.

I would also be more irritated by the fact they are not paying for food more than the sharing of the room.

Does the room have a kitchen or the hotel have a microwave or in room fridge? At least you could go to the store and get breakfast/lunch items to cut expenses there.

 

[okeydokey]

I am a very private person, I don't like to change in front of people etc. There will be a lot of people there for this training I am curious to see how other regions are handling this. If they get their own rooms, I am going to be upset with our director. Well, more upset, I should say since I am already pretty angry. I am willing to bet she will be in her own room. My husband thinks I should ask to share with her, and see what kind of reasons she gives when she says no. Haha. Then make her give me my own.

I think this is a great idea!

 

[DizBelle]

If the other person was of the opposite sex, would they make you share a room? If not, they they shouldn't make any two co-workers share a room regardless of gender.

I find it totally unacceptable.

 

[tlbwriter]

....plus, I'm not sure, but this could be illegal. I was involved for a long time with our pee-wee rec cheering program and we always traveled to one out-of-state competition. Part of the contract with the bus company was that we had to provide lodging (but not meals) for the 2 bus drivers. WE HAD TO PROVIDE 2 SEPARATE ROOMS FOR THE DRIVERS....

Well, that was required by your contract. Unless the OP also has a contract that says the same thing, it wouldn't be illegal.

My employer throws a conference every year and we are only reimbursed half the room rate, so you can either get your own room and pay half, or room with someone else and get fully reimbursed. But no one assigns roommates!

I would go talk to whoever is in charge and tell them you're unhappy that these changes were thrust upon you at the last minute, especially since you were told meals would be covered, and ask why the change was made. If you have a personnel manual, check and see if it covers this.

 

[manning]

I had to sleep and dress with 40+ plus other guys. Complained but was told it could be worse....share a fox hole.

On a serious note. 6 weeks is a long time. Our company never required it.