What would you do?

[alijangra]

Have been offered a job which involves traveling for training. All was arranged for Monday and was called and asked to spend an extra day at location due to flight times. Extra night at hotel was confirmed and email stated no non-smoking rooms left so would have to change rooms for final night. I stated (nicely but firmly) that I objected to a smoking room and was there an alternative. Was basically told no. No apology, just a stupid remark about no risk from passive smoking! Considering I am doing them a favour by staying the extra night, do you think it is a bit rubbish of them to basically say 'tough, stay in the room that stinks of fags'?

[dot.hawkes]

Yes most definately, you are in the room already which is a non-smoker, and so tell them to move someone else, anyway, what kind of hotel allows smoking in the rooms anyway! that is disgusting, never mind a fire hazaed.

[annie0000]

I would ask, since you have to move room anyway, if there is another hotel that you could stay at as you don't want to stay in a smoking room. Alternatively, try phoning the hotel yourself and ask about the likelyhood of there being a room becoming available by the end of the week.

I have to say though, are you convinced that this is the right job for you if you are willing to give up at the first hurdle?

I quite agree, I would not like to stay in a smoking room either, but if I made it plain to the company that I was doing it as a one off, I think that if I wanted the job enough, I would be willing to take the chance that I might get to swap the room before the week was up directly with the hotel.

[alijangra]

It's in Belfast. It's a travel lodge type place. Im glad you agree it is unreasonable, my new manager was really offhand (got the feeling they thought I was getting above myself) in the email. I just feel that if this is how they treat their staff at first, it is surely only going to get worse. If she had said they would try and sort something out I wouldnt be so annoyed, but it was a simple 'nothing can be done'. Really? Plenty hotels in Belfast with non-smoking rooms I imagine!! After me doing them a favour too!! I really have a cob on about this LOL!!

[alijangra]

I dont see it as a hurdle. I see it as their disregard for their staff and Im not sure I want to work for a company like that.

[annie0000]

You can't really take the view of the person you are dealing with to represent the whole company, you might find that when you join, it is that person that is at odds with everyone else. What I am saying is, are you sure that you are not already having doubts about the job, not that you should do something that you don't want to. I have travelled to Belfast many times on business and have alwys found everyone to be very friendly and helpful, but they can come across as a bit blunt initially. Why not ask what the budget is for the night and arrange something yourself, you are right, there are loads of hotels in Belfast. It would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity without really giving it a chance.

[ELVIS68]

Are you sharing the room?

[alijangra]

Yes annie I see what you are saying, I guess that one person has just hacked me off. She is not based in Belfast, but in London. Not sure if that makes any difference lol! I will have very little to do with her when the job commences. The room is costing �95 for that night, surely enough to get something else. I will sleep on it and see if I feel any better tomorrow.

[alijangra]

No not sharing a room, just dont want to sleep in a room that stinks of cigarettes in the carpet, curtains, pillows etc

[Doc Spock]

Good gracious alij, get a grip. So it smells of fags, jeeez not the end of the world.
Wait till July 1st and other ta xes go up.

[ELVIS68]

I`m sure they`ll change the linen and open the windows after the last occupants have left, do you never go in pubs or restaurants if someones been smoking in them?

[alijangra]

Yeah yeah, well I hate the smell of fags. What has July 1st and taxes got to do with this?

[alijangra]

No Elvis, I live in Scotland so no smoking in pubs and restaurants any more (yippee!!) I have slept in a smoking room once before and the smell made me wretch. No open windows can get rid of the smell, it lingers forever in all the fabrics that are not changed.

[Doc Spock]

Are you sure you are right for this job, intolerance and all that.
1st July smoking in public places ban
The fewer smokers become the greater the need to increase taxation elsewhere.

[annie0000]

Cos the cleaners aren't allowed to leave the windows open, they basically go in and spray air freshener and change the linen and that's that - the soft furnishings in the room usually stink as the rooms are being smoked in every night - not just occasionally.

[Doc Spock]

I'm glad I am not interviewing you, can't do with whingers.

[ELVIS68]

Buy a plug in air freshener then, what about if someone has farted in the room before you, would that bother you?

No?..so get on with it ,it won`t kill you

[Doc Spock]

It amazes me constantly that this country is quite happy to collect �42,000,000 per day in taxes on fags, yet castigates those who pay it. Beggars belief.
If every smoker packed in to-morrow this country would be bankrupt.

[annie0000]

It would because we would still be paying for all the extra medical care without the extra income to support it - I personally don't have a problem with a smokers right to smoke, I just also happen to support non smokers rights not to have to deal with the consequences. I think the problem is that smokers don't notice the smell themselves, it is only when you don't smoke that you notice. My dad has been dead for about 6 and a half years now, but I still remember his complaining to my mum when he was helping out with the dusting that everything was all sticky when he was trying to dust, he couldn't believe that it was because he smoked.

[pussnboots]

Seems to me that you had better get a job where you don't leave your own home. I would never employ a whinger like you, The room may smell of tobacco but so what it wont kill you, you big nancy.

[oh-sherbert!]

I think you should be grateful that you will be working for a company that is prepared to invest in you. Are you this intolerant about anything else?? Be careful, you're new employer might be thinking twice about you as well!