Dilema

Wallace1492

I work in the centre of a large central Scotiish town on the west side of the central belt, lets call it Weedgie. I commute by bike and love the time dedicated to myself, because as soon as I leave the office it is my cycle time, same on way in, there is in fact no commuting time.

My work are transferring the office to a large town in the East, lets call it Auld Reekie.

This will entail a near 2 hour double train journey and mile or so walk for me to reach the new office. This will be each way. I will obviously loose my cycle time, and after that kind of commute each and every day I would no doubt not be in the right frame of mind to cycle anywhere near as much as now.

It may be 1.5 hours each way if I drive part way and take train, but would not wish to leave my soon to be urchased camper van in this station, it has a bad reputation.

Do any of you lawyer/HR types out there have any suggestions, can they force me to move, play hardball?

kelsen

Are they compensating you for the increased travel time/cost? Doesn't help the cycling situation I know but a valid point nonetheless.

Wallace1492

kelsen wrote:

Are they compensating you for the increased travel time/cost? Doesn't help the cycling situation I know but a valid point nonetheless.

They will pay any increased travel costs (actual cost only) for 12 months. It ceases after that. No offer thus far of compensating for time, however, money is not really a motovating factor for me, as my work/life balance is of far more importance.

cee

can you get off the train at linlithgow or thereabouts and cyclebikeride the rest of the way into embruff?

Wallace1492

cee wrote:

can you get off the train at linlithgow or thereabouts and cyclebikeride the rest of the way into embruff?

Not an option. Mean booking bike on train each day, what a palavor. Anyway by Linlithgow it would be 2 trains.

kelsen

Doesn't look like you have many options. Short of looking for a new job or relocating, might just have to suck it up and look forward to rides in the weekend instead.

A folding bike for part of the journey could be a solution, but I imagine it'll be a bit of a faff, and folders are a rarity up there IIRC.

Wallace1492

kelsen wrote:

Doesn't look like you have many options. Short of looking for a new job or relocating, might just have to suck it up and look forward to rides in the weekend instead.

A folding bike for part of the journey could be a solution, but I imagine it'll be a bit of a faff, and folders are a rarity up there IIRC.

Only other option is VR.... but not sure if they will be willing to do this, that is the question.

wgwarburton

Hi,
This is a no-brainer- Move to Edinburgh, or at least nearby.

Plusses: No more Maryhill road, you now live near Edinburgh, you can pick your commute as part of moving

Minusses: Moving is a hassle.

Other factors: You might get relocation package? Do you have kids at an excellent state school near your current house? Partner with job in GL^H^HWeedgie?

I mean.. why wouldn't you?

Cheers,
W.

Wallace1492

WGWarburton wrote:

Hi,
This is a no-brainer- Move to Edinburgh, or at least nearby.

Plusses: No more Maryhill road, you now live near Edinburgh, you can pick your commute as part of moving

Minusses: Moving is a hassle.

Other factors: You might get relocation package? Do you have kids at an excellent state school near your current house? Partner with job in GL^H^HWeedgie?

I mean.. why wouldn't you?

Cheers,
W.

Maybe for consideration if you really loved your job, and felt you were part of a valued future. If you felt the organisation that you worked for really cared about you and your future, and just as importantly had not been partly to blame for the biggest slump since the 1930's.

Maybe also for consideration if you were not bothered where you lived and the money is king. If however your main concern is your work/life balance and being happy, especially in your work, then it is a no brainer.

wgwarburton

Wallace1492 wrote:

WGWarburton wrote:

Hi,
This is a no-brainer- Move to Edinburgh, or at least nearby.

Plusses: No more Maryhill road, you now live near Edinburgh, you can pick your commute as part of moving

Minusses: Moving is a hassle.

Other factors: You might get relocation package? Do you have kids at an excellent state school near your current house? Partner with job in GL^H^HWeedgie?

I mean.. why wouldn't you?

Cheers,
W.

Maybe for consideration if you really loved your job, and felt you were part of a valued future. If you felt the organisation that you worked for really cared about you and your future, and just as importantly had not been partly to blame for the biggest slump since the 1930's.

Maybe also for consideration if you were not bothered where you lived and the money is king. If however your main concern is your work/life balance and being happy, especially in your work, then it is a no brainer.

You are surely missing the key point- you have the opportunity to relocate to Edinburgh... that alone will improve the quality of your life beyond all reasonable measure!

(The original post was tongue-in-cheek, sorry if that wasn't obvious...)

Cheers,
W.

Wallace1492

WGWarburton wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

WGWarburton wrote:

Hi,
This is a no-brainer- Move to Edinburgh, or at least nearby.

Plusses: No more Maryhill road, you now live near Edinburgh, you can pick your commute as part of moving

Minusses: Moving is a hassle.

Other factors: You might get relocation package? Do you have kids at an excellent state school near your current house? Partner with job in GL^H^HWeedgie?

I mean.. why wouldn't you?

Cheers,
W.

Maybe for consideration if you really loved your job, and felt you were part of a valued future. If you felt the organisation that you worked for really cared about you and your future, and just as importantly had not been partly to blame for the biggest slump since the 1930's.

Maybe also for consideration if you were not bothered where you lived and the money is king. If however your main concern is your work/life balance and being happy, especially in your work, then it is a no brainer.

You are surely missing the key point- you have the opportunity to relocate to Edinburgh... that alone will improve the quality of your life beyond all reasonable measure!

(The original post was tongue-in-cheek, sorry if that wasn't obvious...)

Cheers,
W.

Of course I know it was tongue in cheek, who in their right minds would favour the East over the West! Anyway looks like my Maryhill Road escapdes may be coming to an end after the summer, but you never know..... new opportunities and all that.

suzyb

Look for a new job. There someone said it.

If you're not all that fond of your job just now you're going to absolutely hate it when you have to commute across half the country every day. And that can lead you to a very bad place (believe me )

My advice, start looking for something else just now. Something that will keep the bills paid but also keep you happy. Hopefully you'll find something before you have to relocate because that is a looong commute.

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

Look for a new job. There someone said it.

If you're not all that fond of your job just now you're going to absolutely hate it when you have to commute across half the country every day. And that can lead you to a very bad place (believe me )

My advice, start looking for something else just now. Something that will keep the bills paid but also keep you happy. Hopefully you'll find something before you have to relocate because that is a looong commute.

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

UndercoverElephant

Hmmm, that should be a decent payout...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10028541

If you say it's an unreasonable move, you should be able to take VR, which is probably what they're hoping a number of people will do. What to do after that is the question.

Jay dubbleU

Wallace1492 wrote:

suzyb wrote:

Look for a new job. There someone said it.

If you're not all that fond of your job just now you're going to absolutely hate it when you have to commute across half the country every day. And that can lead you to a very bad place (believe me )

My advice, start looking for something else just now. Something that will keep the bills paid but also keep you happy. Hopefully you'll find something before you have to relocate because that is a looong commute.

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

Stuff em - life is more important than work

Kieran_Burns

Is this a good idea? I can't see how the posh Edinburgh people will be able to understand anyone with that Glasgow accent. :P

UndercoverElephant

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Is this a good idea? I can't see how the posh Edinburgh people will be able to understand anyone with that Glasgow accent. :P

To be fair, if you take their knives off them and teach them personal hygiene, weegies can make excellent pets.

Edit: I'd love to claim that one, but it's Irvine Walsh.

suzyb

Wallace1492 wrote:

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

Can't help with that. Just wanted to offer some advice in case you do end up needing to relocate.

daviesee

suzyb wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

Geez, sorry I made a mistake when offering some advice. Next time I wont bother.

See. Moved over to Edinburgh in his mind and fighting with the Weegies already!

suzyb

daviesee wrote:

suzyb wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

Geez, sorry I made a mistake when offering some advice. Next time I wont bother.

See. Moved over to Edinburgh in his mind and fighting with the Weegies already!

Damn, ninja edit was too slow

I'm not a Weegie and I'm not a posh Edinburgh sod. I'm a country yokle, living in between the two cities

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

I don't have to.... My choice. However, will they say tough - job in the East now bugger off, or fair enough here is some VR as it is an "unacceptable" commute, and to make up for your decades (eek) of loyal service.

Can't help with that. Just wanted to offer some advice in case you do end up needing to relocate.

Cheers Suzy, all advice gratefully received. Not in my mind to relocate, it is highly unlikely.

iainment

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

UndercoverElephant

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

Wallace1492

UndercoverElephant wrote:

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

Correct. The place of choice for people doing this is called, well lets call it Droy, and it is a lottery if your vehicle is there upon your return. Even doing this would still be close to 1.5 hours each way.

suzyb

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

So true. You don't dare wear the wrong colour around some parts here.

I think the biggest obstacle is just the distance. Even just getting within cycling distance would probably take close to an hour. And then you've got the bike ride in.

suzyb

Wallace1492 wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

Correct. The place of choice for people doing this is called, well lets call it Droy, and it is a lottery if your vehicle is there upon your return. Even doing this would still be close to 1.5 hours each way.

I have to ask...where?

Wallace1492

suzyb wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

Correct. The place of choice for people doing this is called, well lets call it Droy, and it is a lottery if your vehicle is there upon your return. Even doing this would still be close to 1.5 hours each way.

I have to ask...where?

Droy, just past Birkintilloch, but not as far as Dumbernauld.

suzyb

Wallace1492 wrote:

suzyb wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

Now, the problem with that, and I'm sure Suzy will back me up on this, is that *some* of the towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow are more than a little peculiar. *Some* would be a little less than welcoming to Wallace, depending on which part of Glasgow he's from.

Heaven help him if he got a puncture and the banjos started playing in the distance...

Correct. The place of choice for people doing this is called, well lets call it Droy, and it is a lottery if your vehicle is there upon your return. Even doing this would still be close to 1.5 hours each way.

I have to ask...where?

Droy, just past Birkintilloch, but not as far as Dumbernauld.

You'd cycle to Edinburgh from there :shock:

LazyBoycp

iainment wrote:

Call me old fashioned but isn't this the sort of thing that Unions sort out for workers. If you're not in a union I'd suggest joining or seeking qualified legal advice.

Do the TUPE regs apply here.

Can't you drive to somewhere in between the 2 godforsaken cities and cycle from there.

Pip pip.

I'm no expert, but I think TUPE only applies if the business is transferred from one owner to another, and it doesn't sound as if that's the case. I'd certainly have a chat with the union if you're a member.

tailwindhome

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ ... G_10028541