Working away is not a 'jolly'

There is misconception that working away from home, especially if it involves an overnight stay, is a ‘jolly’.

For those who don’t know, a ‘jolly’ is getting away from your normal place of work, staying in a hotel and having meals & drinks paid for on company expenses. Oh, and a little bit of work thrown in.

This misconception is usually held by people who have never had to work away. The truth is, they can be very long days and lonely evenings, especially if you’re travelling alone.

I want nothing more at the end of a working day to go home and relax but this isn't possible when working away.

The real truth is you can travel for hours on what seems like endless motorways. This is very monotonous and sometimes you can be hundreds of miles from home. As you are representing the Company, you are never off the clock and have to remain professional at all times. Yes, you may be getting your drinks paid for but this doesn't mean you can drink the bar dry. Yes, you may get your meal paid for but who wants to sit in a restaurant by themselves.

For me, it’s usually an early night back in the hotel room, quick phone call home and bed with very little sleep. 

I’d challenge the next person who says I’m going on a ‘jolly’ to find a reason to work away and we’ll see how jolly they are then.

(The picture is not an accurate depiction of me - I never wear a vest and sometimes drink wine!)