Agencies/clients seem more concerned about travel distance than ever before?

[psychocandy]

To be fair, I would be too but they never used to be. If I was a client and I knew contractor was driving 100 miles every morning then I'd be slightly wary that they're going to bail and take something closer to home.

But, sort of goes against the grain of the contractor who travels mon-fri.

I had an agency yesterday who was implying that I wouldn't be happy to drive 50 miles (under an hour) and it'd be no good since it wasnt near train station either. Bit weird since its more than double current rate (which takes me 90 mins by train).

And, no, they don't know that I'm a moany sod!

Anyone else experienced this recently?

[Old Greg]

To be fair, I would be too but they never used to be. If I was a client and I knew contractor was driving 100 miles every morning then I'd be slightly wary that they're going to bail and take something closer to home.

But, sort of goes against the grain of the contractor who travels mon-fri.

I had an agency yesterday who was implying that I wouldn't be happy to drive 50 miles (under an hour) and it'd be no good since it wasnt near train station either. Bit weird since its more than double current rate (which takes me 90 mins by train).

And, no, they don't know that I'm a moany sod!

Anyone else experienced this recently?

Sounds like you're on the greylist. Urban Dictionary: greylist

[d000hg]

What is it with all these "than ever before" and "rise of" threads... you have one or two experiences with clients who want you local and you genuinely believe this constitutes a national shift? Just because something happens to YOU for the first time, doesn't mean it's new.

[Bellona]

I saw a role reappear from Oct recently, same except for a footer that said " locally based person preferred, but applicants from other locations will be considered"

At my last client, there were contractors who bumbled in at about 10 and we're still out the door before 4.30 - wfh not an option (Gov dept), so work stopped when you left the building.

I think some clients/agencies, where the workforce is contractor heavy, have offered flexibility in the past that has been abused/perceived to be abused, and/or people have jumped ship due to commute-fatigue and we are seeing more caution now.

That having been said, I have had no local interviews, last two interviews I have got through to final stage have been in London - I am in South Glos., !

Go figure

[northernladuk]

What is it with all these "than ever before" and "rise of" threads... you have one or two experiences with clients who want you local and you genuinely believe this constitutes a national shift? Just because something happens to YOU for the first time, doesn't mean it's new.

+1 I haven't seen any thing new or out of the ordinary in any of these threads. I just see someone that just doesn't seem to understand what is going or can cope with the varied challenges that come with finding work.

[Old Greg]

+1 I haven't seen any thing new or out of the ordinary in any of these threads. I just see someone that just doesn't seem to understand what is going or can cope with the varied challenges that come with finding work.

And what is the word we use for 'someone that just doesn't seem to understand what is going or can [sic] cope with the varied challenges that come with finding work'.

[northernladuk]

And what is the word we use for 'someone that just doesn't seem to understand what is going or can [sic] cope with the varied challenges that come with finding work'.

A fawning lickspittle?

[Old Greg]

A fawning lickspittle?

Cretin.

[d000hg]

Of course if someone has to travel long distances, it means the cost probably goes up as the rate has to cover transport and possibly hotels, which instantly increases the contractor's costs greatly.
As an 'employer' I'd certainly prefer not to be (directly or indirectly) spending £100/day on transport and accommodation for my contractors.

[Old Greg]

Of course if someone has to travel long distances, it means the cost probably goes up as the rate has to cover transport and possibly hotels, which instantly increases the contractor's costs greatly.
As an 'employer' I'd certainly prefer not to be (directly or indirectly) spending £100/day on transport and accommodation for my contractors.

Or the contractor profit goes down.