Company Agrees to Let Employee Work Remotely, Demands He Travels 3 Times a Month 5 Months Later

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 24, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Does a remote worker need to travel for their job at any time?

Over the past decade, more and more people have been introduced to the myriad benefits of working from home. Saving time and money on a commute and having increased flexibility are something that many workers are not willing to give up, even with the opportunity for a higher salary or more prestige.

Still, not every employer is comfortable with the idea of letting employees be remote all of the time, and many will find a reason to get them back in the office. They want to be able to keep tabs on them, and know that they are getting good value for the salary they pay. Many find this inconvenient enough with hybrid working, but if there is even more long-haul travel involved, that is another issue altogether.

Travelling for work can have its upsides, but it is also something that tends to get tiring. Putting yourself through the rigors of air travel and navigating an unfamiliar place just to please the higher-ups is not something that is going to agree with everyone. It certainly isn't the kind of arrangement that many remote workers are likely to be happy with, but for some, this is the price they pay for getting the privilege of setting up their office at home most of the time.

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  • A man walks across an airport bridge, wearing a backpack
    via A. C. (Unsplash+)

    A man walks across an airport bridge, wearing a backpack

  • A backend developer had been working for a company for a couple of years and had gotten their management to agree to let them work mostly remotely for the past 5 months. The initial agreement was that they would occasionally visit the office from which they used to work.

    However, circumstances changed, and their boss told them that they were now expected to travel to a client's location several times a month. They did not feel that this was a sustainable arrangement, not least because they were exhausted by too much travel. They were not sure how to approach this situation.

     

  • Boss casually dropped that I'll be travelling 2-3 times a month

    Edit: To clarify, travel is a 5 hour plane ride and 3-4 days at a time. That'll be like most of the month lol. I started this job about 2 years ago and have travelled once. In my contract | agreed to travel but there is no specific amount in my contract.
    via LackadaisicalCretin
  • I was working in office every day up until about 5 months ago when I renegotiated to be mostly remote so I could move home. The agreement was to come into the office about once a month, but they haven't needed me yet.
    via LackadaisicalCretin
  • Anyway, I just got back from this work trip and casually in an email my boss mentioned I will be travelling to the client's location 2-3 times a month. I am drained by travelling and this seems like a lot of travel a month for work. I am trying not to panic but this is not something I can sustain.
    via LackadaisicalCretin
  • Does anyone have any advice? For context I am a backend software developer.
    via LackadaisicalCretin
  • Close-up of a man pulling a small suitcase across an airport bridge
    via A. C. (Unsplash+)

    Close-up of a man pulling a small suitcase across an airport bridge

  • MidtownKC I would ask your boss about it and see what the need is. Talk through the details and figure out why that much travel is necessary, when the travel would be, how long this will be in place, etc. Perhaps you can make a case that would mean 4-6 travel days a month - which is
    via MidtownKC
  • largely 4-6 days/month you won't be working on your client's projects - yet they still have to pay. You can definitely express your concern about that much travel, etc., but it could also be that your clients really don't want you there that much once they have you out there a few times
    via MidtownKC
  • and have to pay for it, etc. Definitely update the resume if this ends up being worst-case and is a deal breaker for you and your family. But I'd let it play out first. Maybe it's only for a few months and really ends up being 1- 2X/month.
    via MidtownKC
  • ChristmasSunday Do you have an actual contract? If the contract doesn't say otherwise you're either traveling now or looking for another job.
    via _ChristmasSunday
  • NovelLongjumping3965 You moved home, when you went remote. So the client is near the office and you are complaining? I guess your remote position just got switched back to mainly office and you agreed to travel if you have to. Unfortunately it's on you.
    via NovelLongJumping3965
  • twistedchristian I'd hold off on panicking just yet, and see how it plays out. Travel is VERY expensive between flights, hotels, per diem. It could be that this happens for a month, and then either the client doesn't want to pay for it or your company doesn't want to pay for it.
    via twistedchristian
  • z-eldapin Why is there an on site presence at the client needed now where there wasn't before
    via z-eldapin
  • Still_Condition8669 I think it's time to have an honest conversation with your boss, that you were not expecting this much travel, when you agreed to travel, and make your next decision based on how that conversation goes. I personally refuse to work anywhere that requires travel. When I'm done working, I want to be home with the people I love.
    via Still_Condition8669
  • dvVIII2 You should get a bump in compensation in some way. I used to travel 3-4 times a month for a week at a time. So pretty much always. I knew that going in though. I had my routine and favorite spots to stay, eat, gym and hang out. Do you have a company credit card? I didn't and
    via dvVIII2
  • my expenses were about $4,000 every month. My company was a week or two late reimbursing me all the time. I don't believe they were trying to screw me. It was because the person in charge of expense checks was not on top of things.
    via dvVIII2

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employee working from home Travel work trip
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