Is This Too Far?

[Answerprancer]

..or am I being a wuss?
Driving is part of my job and often I have to do return journeys (not including the work in between) of about 120 miles. This coming week, I have been put down to drive a distance of 160 miles (with jobs in between) then of course 160 miles back again. I think this is an unreasonable amount of driving to be doing in one day. I have just texted my boss to ask if he can find someone I can share the driving with, though it will mean doing my usual colleague (who doesn't drive) out of a days work.

[murraymints]

That's a lot of miles to drive...what work do you do ?

[Answerprancer]

It's a specialist cleaning job.

[boxtops]

It depends on what it says in your contract of employment, really, about their expectations of your driving week.

[murraymints]

You go with another as a pair ? I don't think you are being unreasonable asking for another driver to be assigned to share driving..it's a long way...

[Answerprancer]

That's what I thought MM.
BT - as of yet, I have not been given a contract, or signed anything. I have been *told* that driving is part of the job though, that is as much of a contractual 'obligation' I have :-/ The only official records of employment I have are my printed payslips.

[boxtops]

Nothing in the job specification when you applied for the job, about the amount of time on the road each day? Given that you are working in between the driving, it might be thought reasonable for you to have the occasional overnight stay if the job is far away.

[boxtops]

accepting that you're not a delivery driver so some will not apply, might this help? http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/workplace-hazards/driving-work

[EvianBaby]

Our lads drive that distance and more frequently. Except we give them the option to stay in a b&q overnight if they won't finish until although most don't take it.

[boxtops]

LOL evian, in a B&Q?!

[Zacs-Master]

I used to drive from York to Glasgow and back twice a week. I've regularly done Canterbury, Exeter and Bournmouth and back in a day involving fairly stressful site meetings. I find the solitude of driving listening to the radio very relaxing so I suppose it's up to the individual. Also, I was driving a fairly comfortable quiet car, which makes a BIG difference.