Work advice - changing geographic responsibility

[ozz]

I'm being put under pressure to cover middle east and africa as part of my business partner role. When I took the new role in Jan I understood I'd be looking after Europe. They are now asking me more and more to get involved with EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa).

 

Now this means I need to visit the sites, which is where my problem begins. I don't mind travelling Europe but I don't want to travel middle east/Africa, language issues aside its not as convenient as europe and I don't actually like travelling, its not a perk to me. Plus these are remote sites, sometimes 500km+ by dirt road after flying in.

 

Anyone know my rights regarding them just expecting me to cover these regions? Also, on a more moral ground am I being ungrateful not wanting to cover these regions and should I just see it as part of the job? My contract doesn't say anything about regions. I've retained IT oversight for UK so I'm already thinly stretched, I might try workload as a valid reason.

 

I've talked to my HR department, they haven't a clue!

 

My boss is flying over from Brazil next week, I know he wants to discuss covering these regions more. I want to reduce my travel not increase it! I feel ungrateful for not wanting to travel but its not what I signed up for so its stressing me out.

[grahamc]

Sorry mate, this sounds ideal to me.... Just so long as I get to drive down the dirt roads, not some random local driver

[ozz]

Sorry mate, this sounds ideal to me.... Just so long as I get to drive down the dirt roads, not some random local driver

 

Thats what makes me feel guilty, but aside being married, we have dogs and horses so I don't like being away from home long periods.

 

Perhaps I'm just not adventurous enough!

[Chris Wilson]

Go to work in a Ku Klux Klan outfit and they may re assess your overseas business partner role. Sorted

[supra_aero]

You asked so I'll give my opinion.

 

I think you are being a tad ungrateful. Many thousands of people would love that opportunity and infact many spend their life savings to get it.

 

BUT that said, if its not your interest and not what you expected to do when you joined, then why don't you just say no. What is the issue or am I missing something?

[ozz]

You asked so I'll give my opinion.

 

I think you are being a tad ungrateful. Many thousands of people would love that opportunity and infact many spend their life savings to get it.

 

BUT that said, if its not your interest and not what you expected to do when you joined, then why don't you just say no. What is the issue or am I missing something?

 

I'm not sure where I stand on saying no and what the company can expect, aside from the problems it will cause in the company.

 

You are right though, I'm lucky to be offered it I'm just not that interested in travel and I spend at least a week away per month as it is either in london or Europe.

[grahamc]

If you are honestly not interested in the travel (which you are not) I would say that the best option is to speak to them. Saying that this was never agreed... Europe was acceptable but the rest is not.

 

Or you could just say its against your religion

[ozz]

If you are honestly not interested in the travel (which you are not) I would say that the best option is to speak to them. Saying that this was never agreed... Europe was acceptable but the rest is not.

 

Or you could just say its against your religion

 

I'll do that, honesty is best policy. Thanks guys, its useful sounding off and making me think about it more.

[Septic]

And to think...some of us would gladly put our left testicle in a blender to get that kind of opportunity.

 

I would just be honest in your conversation with the boss next week. There is also legal ground to challenge a change in the geographical nature of your job if you want me to look it up? Sorry but my memory is a bit rusty regarding this and I have to read up a little.