What is "Reasonable Distance"

[MarkL057]

Hiya, first post to this site.
I work for a company that is trying to send me to a meeting 150 miles away from my home.
It isn't a meeting vital to the company as it is basically an awards day and a chat about things i will receive paper versions of anyway.
I have gone through my contract and it does state they can ask me to go elsewhere within a reasonable distance.

I don't feel 150 miles is reasonable. The coach they are organising stops to pick other people up so it is a 4 hour trip for a 3 hour meeting and 4 hours back (based on previous years travelling times)

Some advice would be great as i would like to know im within my rights to decline attendance to this meeting.

Thanks, Mark

[stevemLS]

Re: What is "Reasonable Distance"

As a one off or annual thing, I don't think it is unreasonable. No one can answer definitively.

Yes, a nuisance.

Others on here think I am a bit soft, but in my view if you start looking at contracts and refuse to attend, you may well find that is the beginning of the end of your relationship.

How senior are you - that is relevant to the question of reasonableness.

[MarkL057]

Re: What is "Reasonable Distance"

I appreciate your opinion.
I am a showroom manager but before you presume how senior that is i should point out my showroom is a concession and i manage 1 member of staff and im on £6.70 per hour. In essence i am a salesman that does the figure book.
I understand that as an annual thing it may be considered reasonable in some peoples eyes but this meeting is all about bigging the company up, i will receive anything relevant in the post a few days afterward.
Just seems an awful lot of travel to hear about how good the company is doing. I feel the meeting itself is an unreasonable spending of companies money. So working an extra day to spend 8 hours on the road for something completely unnecessary is in my opinion, unreasonable.
I assume there is no universally defined time scale for reasonable travel?
Thanks again,
Mark

[stevemLS]

Re: What is "Reasonable Distance"

No, what is reasonable depends entirely on the context.

If they wanted you to do it twice a week, that would plainly be unreasonable.

With respect, it is for the company to decide what it considers to be good use of its money.

Anyhow, you have my view - see what others think and take it from there.

Best wishes whatever you decide to do.

Steve

[Wombats]

Re: What is "Reasonable Distance"

I think as a one off it is reasonable. If it boosts company morale (albeit not in your case) then you're demonstrating a commitment to the company and what it stands for. Are you paid hourly or paid a fixed salary? If hourly, do they pay you for the extra time?

[righty]

Re: What is "Reasonable Distance"

I agree with the previous comments in that its not unreasonable to ask that you attend a meeting once a year particularly as they are providing the transport & I suspect (although you haven't said) the refreshment/food all at no financial cost to you