Dilemma! Please advise?

[kat2206]

I have a fantastic job which I absolutely love, only been there for approx 8 weeks.

I am also studying (part time) a counselling degree which also means a great deal to me to complete and graduate.

However, my new year of studying starts next month and the days to go to Uni are Thursdays (evenings). My new position at work "dictates" that I am to attend the office one Thursday a month for a communications meeting and doesnt finish until 5pm ish...

Now, the distance between the office and my Uni is approx 4 hours and there is no way I'm going to be able to make it.

Last years studying dictated that we were only allowed to miss 2 sessions or we would automatically fail that year, so if this is the same for this year then I know, before I have even started that I'm going to fail which is devastating, obviously.

Do I speak to the boss at work and ask if I can be excused from these meetings and/or do I speak with my tutor and explain the situation?

I obviously dont want to P off my new boss as I am still within my probation period and, as I love my job so much, wouldnt want to put that in jeopardy...

What should I do?

[TWR]

Don't make excuses to your boss, give him the information truthfully, I think he / she will be ok with it.

[boxtops]

Speak to the boss. It might be that you can be excused the latter part of the meeting, if matters which involve you are in the early part.
Did your boss know that you are studying for this qualification, before you were offered the job? Do they say anything about time off for study?

If then the boss says you have to be there (and I know the sort of team meetings you mean), then would be the time to approach your tutor, it might be that some time could be made up by 1:1s at other times, due to the circumstances.

Hwoever - it just might be that you can't do both, you have committed to attend the study sessions and equally you owe a duty to your employer to attend meetings when they ask you to. I hope it doesn't come down to that.

It might be possible for you to defer the next year's uni study? - although they usually charge a deferment fee, that might be your only option.

[EcclesCake]

I'm assuming you do not work a typical 9-5 day? To answer your question we need to know the following at least:-

Were you aware of the Thursday meetings when you took the job?
Did you make you new employer aware of you Uni course at any point?
Were you aware of what days you are required to attend Uni?

[kat2206]

Hi Eccles..

Yes, I knew about the Thursday meetings before I accepted the position, I'm not part of any of the meetings, its just generally a run down on whats happening in the company, how well we are doing etc.. I'm a sales rep so, no, I dont work normal 9-5.

Last years study days were on a Tuesday and yes the boss knows I'm currently studying a degree.

[EcclesCake]

Did you know that year two was held on a Thursday or did you assume that you would continue to study as previously on a Tuesday?

OK, if I were in your shoes I would explain the situation to the boss, who was aware of your study commitment if not the day. Apologise if necessary that you hadn't realised that your study evening would be on a Thursday and therefore clash with the communications meetings.

You say you are 'dictated' to attend but play no part, although I presume you are there to gather useful updates on the organisation you work for. Assure your boss you will read the minutes from these meetings and if you are required to do so provide a written report of your work over the preceding month to your line manager prior to the meeting, allowing sufficient time for your line manager to clarify any aspect of your report.

I am sure many of your colleagues do not attend every meeting due to client commitments or whatever. I would like to think you are treated reasonably as long as you show an interest in the necessity of the meetings and your regret at not being able to attend 100%.

[Hopkirk]

Present your boss with the full facts, and see what he says.