I work in tech. Like many tech companies recently, they opened up to remote workers. I am a 5-hour flight from the main office.
There's a kick-off event happening in 11 days. I asked several weeks ago whether we would be required to attend in person. My experience is that usually a company gathers its employees in person at least once a year. I was told that the company wouldn't be bringing in the remote workers for this event.
Yesterday, my manager sent a message saying the company had decided to pay for our flights, hotel, and food, up to a budgeted amount.
11 days notice seems very little to me. From my perspective, it's disrespectful to expect employees to suddenly scramble to arrange child care, pet care, or to cancel plans, after the company failed to organize properly in advance.
I know my perspective is biased because this last minute decision is highly indicative of how leadership functions on the regular. Projects have no proper management. No planning phase, no definition of scope, unrealistic deadlines, and huge gaps (like accidentally deploying to production) from not thinking ahead.
I don't want to go to this kick-off. My manager is spinning it like it's such great news that we get to come. I see it as yet another thing leadership changed at the last minute with no consideration for how it affects the employees.
Am I justified in saying I already have plans and can't change them with such short notice?