Okay so this is semi-rant, semi-question. I have a work trip next month (pre-planned). My manager just asked if I could "take one of the team members' kids to school" while they're on their own trip at the same time.
Like... no? I'm traveling for work. I have my own kids I'm figuring out coverage for. Why is this my responsibility?
Am I being unreasonable? It felt really presumptuous.
Don't do it. I know it feels rude to say no at work but your manager is basically asking you to choose between your job and abandoning your kid at home. That's not a real choice.
I had a manager try this once and I just laid it out: I have childcare arranged for my trip. I don't have childcare arranged for someone else's trip. Those are two different things. He didn't ask again.
What does he mean by cover? Like actually go on the trip instead of them or just handle their responsibilities while they're gone? Because one is reasonable and one is completely unreasonable.
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That's a tough spot. Did your manager know about the kid situation when you booked the trip originally? Because covering someone else's travel is basically asking you to work your vacation days. Not cool.