Anyone have experience with this? Frowned upon or has it worked ok in the past?
Taking the wife on work trips
37
I have not but know a lot of people who have. As long as she isn't putting bills on the company card, it should be fine. I would just have a conversation with your manager to get their blessing. 9/10 they will say yes
This is the right answer.
Be extra careful with anything you're expensing.
Be extra careful with anything you're expensing.
Bingo... Open communication is always key.
Dude enjoy your "you time" while you have it.
Is everything going ok at home Fox? 😂
Yes, a lot, my wife comes with me on a lot of my extended visits particularly to the US. Boss is fine with it, expenses arent an issue, I have a set amount for food and drink, if she eats and drinks within that amount its no bother. If it goes over then thats on me. She generally hangs out in the car while im in visits or will spend my money as quickly as I earn it in the shops we dont get back home which is fine because I enjoy her company and like the moral support.
I use flight miles or companion passes to take her with me.
I use flight miles or companion passes to take her with me.
No go for bringing my wife on work trips now.
One, she has a full time job.
Two, we have a 2 year old.
Three, I'd likely do something wrong on the trip like breathing wrong or ordering what she was going to order at dinner and piss her off.
One, she has a full time job.
Two, we have a 2 year old.
Three, I'd likely do something wrong on the trip like breathing wrong or ordering what she was going to order at dinner and piss her off.
I so feel this.
HA!
Haha
LMAO
Hooker might get jealous...
Dang, this
i have not but mainly because we have kids. and it would just be more work and extra expense haha.
but if i didnt have kids, i bet we would try it.
but if i didnt have kids, i bet we would try it.
Same boat - intriguing idea for sure, preplanned vacays and hotel tomfoolery (don't know if everyone here is ok about me talking about how they came into this world so I'll use silly words) - hell yes!
My husband has accompanied me in the past. In every case, he's gone and done his own thing during the day when I'm working, and has taken advantage of the room. I've asked my manager if it's a big deal to have my spouse in my room - in every case, the answer is no. The room cost is the room cost in the US; and as long as all our expenses (dining, flight) are separate, they haven't cared.
The rest is up to you: does it make sense and is there something your spouse can do while you're working? For us, it was architectural boat tours (Chicago), Red Sox game (Boston), golf and a show (Vegas - though I got to go the dinner and show). I've also flown us both out early and just paid for the extra night so I can have time goofing off as well - I just make sure that the flight is not more expensive than flying at the prescribed time.
When he doesn't come with me, you bet I enjoy the alone time. It's rare that I get it, and it's to be savored.
The rest is up to you: does it make sense and is there something your spouse can do while you're working? For us, it was architectural boat tours (Chicago), Red Sox game (Boston), golf and a show (Vegas - though I got to go the dinner and show). I've also flown us both out early and just paid for the extra night so I can have time goofing off as well - I just make sure that the flight is not more expensive than flying at the prescribed time.
When he doesn't come with me, you bet I enjoy the alone time. It's rare that I get it, and it's to be savored.
This!
That architectural boat tour in Chicago is SERIOUSLY underrated.
Most won't agree with me, but imo, Chicago is the best American city
I am jealous that he got to do it and I had to work! One day I’ll get on that boat.
As long as no expense is tied to your wife, you should be good.
*company expense.
FTFY
FTFY
If you get status on SW Air they’ve got a companion flies free deal. $13 and you can bring anyone you want. Try not to bring her to your calls though. Would be weird.
Little Timmy needs braces, we need you to close this now
I'm big on alone time, so have not invited the wifey to the backwater locales where I get the delicious thrill of travelling to.
Its a lot of "it depends".
I assume you have no kids or other reasons to keep the wife (spouse) at home by default. That's usually a deal killer. AND you go to some places which might seem fun for her to go to while you are actually working.
I have clients who bring their spouses all the time to various conferences. I even extend my company dinner invites to them to help build the relationships. None of my current colleagues bring their spouses to these conferences, although some have in the past.
As long as you are footing the bill for all her expenses, no one should really care. If she joins you on a company dinner/event you should offer to cover her costs out of your pocket.
I would definitely mention it to someone in management to see "if anyone cares". I doubt they would, but some C-types might get touchy - you never know.
I assume you have no kids or other reasons to keep the wife (spouse) at home by default. That's usually a deal killer. AND you go to some places which might seem fun for her to go to while you are actually working.
I have clients who bring their spouses all the time to various conferences. I even extend my company dinner invites to them to help build the relationships. None of my current colleagues bring their spouses to these conferences, although some have in the past.
As long as you are footing the bill for all her expenses, no one should really care. If she joins you on a company dinner/event you should offer to cover her costs out of your pocket.
I would definitely mention it to someone in management to see "if anyone cares". I doubt they would, but some C-types might get touchy - you never know.
If you get permission to expense her meals and things or pay for those yourself, I say go for it.
I wouldn't make it a habit, but every once in a while it might be nice, just so she knows it's not all fun and games. It would be contingent on her having something to do while I worked.
No idea wtf this got downvoted. Please accept my butler upvote.
Did I use too many big words? Or did I use the wrong pronoun? Did my response fall into the "no value" abyss?
Contingent -
Dependent on other conditions or circumstances; conditional
Abyss -
An immeasurably deep chasm, depth, or void.
Contingent -
Dependent on other conditions or circumstances; conditional
Abyss -
An immeasurably deep chasm, depth, or void.
String cheese -
Fucking delicious.
Fucking delicious.
More big words please!!! Keep them coming, and have an extra upvote for using them.
Am I the only one in here who’s spouseless and can’t relate ?
Girlfriend or boyfriend.
Just like a board room, read your audience! you should be aware of your managers thoughts on this. Your free time is your free time, but many companies consider work travel their time. it often includes hotels, dinners, drinks, or other forms of customer entertainment. Be aware of the perception this could create. As you get longer into your career, you find that you have a lot more freedoms to make these decisions.
Also, i have seen negative perception happen not between the traveler and their boss, but between the traveler and their peers. it is sometimes best to keep your personal actions to yourself and not share them across the company.
Also, i have seen negative perception happen not between the traveler and their boss, but between the traveler and their peers. it is sometimes best to keep your personal actions to yourself and not share them across the company.
Lots of good callouts here
😬
An old colleague borought is wife to a conference. Our VP saw her and knows her from local events. The VP put 2 and 2 together and the former colleague was suddenly...well..former.
He got fired for being married?
For brining his wife on trips and the larger than average expense receipts. No itemized required.
Gotcha. I have to itemize and I wouldn't put my wife's stuff on there. Basically it's "got a hotel room, I am going to work, you do your thing."
Enjoy buddy. My friend has done it recently. Expense only your share not for the entire family !
I've brought my husband on certain work trips but only when it was encouraged (e.g. President's Club).
If they are cool with doing their own thing and spending their own money then it’s likely fine, but definitely talk to your manager.
My S/O and I have gone on each others work trips and worked from the hotel or a nearby coffee shop while the other is in meetings/conferences. I’ve even become friends with his coworkers and vice versa which makes our jobs inherently more fun. Both managers have always been ok with this as long as our S/O is not charging for room service or expensing anything (flight, food, etc).
My S/O and I have gone on each others work trips and worked from the hotel or a nearby coffee shop while the other is in meetings/conferences. I’ve even become friends with his coworkers and vice versa which makes our jobs inherently more fun. Both managers have always been ok with this as long as our S/O is not charging for room service or expensing anything (flight, food, etc).
If you can afford another hotel room a mile away...
If you can focus on tasks to be accomplished and have your spouse there then by all means, if you want a great excuse for alone time then take advantage.
It depends, here at my company it's to be determined prior whether it's a family trip and we're allowed to bring wife and kids or just for employees and we act accordingly!
Have her be on her own for a bit and join you when it makes sense. Maybe stay an extra day or two. Any company that cares isn’t one to work for
I do it if it's not a conference, if it's an on-site pitch/dinner event etc, for sure.
But I'm going to be swamped during conferences.
But I'm going to be swamped during conferences.
Yes. Depending on the schedule for that week. If it’s very hectic then no I won’t. But there have been weeks where it’s very light and I might only work 20 hours while on the trip over the course of several days. Those are the instances I’ll ask her to come.
I have brought my wife and kid (back when there was just 1) and extended the trip to have a mini vacation too. Like many have already said, I talked with my manager about it first and paid for my family’s expenses separately.
That being said, I definitely am more focused and get more work done when I’m alone
That being said, I definitely am more focused and get more work done when I’m alone
Oh Boii.. :D I had the perfect chance to take my wife on an exotic work trip back in 2019 but didn`t manage to do so somehow. I~ve been held hostage to that mistake to date lol! Don`t worry if it`s frowned upon or not, if you can - do it and I`m sure you`ll both have a blast :D
I've done that many times. A lot of folks do that. It's pretty common and mostly encouraged.
Thank you for asking this I was wondering how it would be as well.
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