Reply to: Pimp claiming client requirement for maximum commute

[billybiro]

However in this case we're talking about a 16 mile trip from SE London to SW London.

A commute which, ironically, would probably take well over an hour, especially by car at rush hour.

[psychocandy]

I agree with NLUK - its obvious. If contractor lives 200 miles away they're more likely to find a closer one and bail. Its obvious....

And come on - we all know contractors who we've worked with who after a week say things like "Oh didnt think it'd take me this long every morning to drive here". FFS Google maps is your friend.

Helped out with permie interviews at current client. The offered to this guy who lived 90 mins or so drive away. He'd just been made redundant and he lived Swindon area (so Thames valley pretty close etc).

It was OBVIOUS what was going to happen. This guy was flapping because he'd been given the boot, applied for this job. Yep didnt turn up on start day. Turns out he'd started another job closer to home a week before. If he'd started, he'd have possibly done it for a month then got something closer.

Point being - can you blame clients for thinking the same with contractors?

[ruasonid]

I've personally never had this directly, and I deliberately don't put my address on my CV, but I can definitely imagine it.

Neither do I. But my cv demonstrates that I've worked around the world. So when they ask where I live they make it sound like an hour away is a problem. Had a direct interview recently and the client asked where I lived. When I answered their response was an expletive (they didn't like the idea of a one hour express train ride). At another interview 1.5 hours distance, they asked if I would be relocating. Just had another interview. They said the distance (1 hour) is no problem. I heard nothing after. Job is re-advertised. No doubt some beard tugger thought it is a problem. Or maybe they thought I couldn't do the job. All these interviews and distance seems to be a factor.

[BHicks]

It's an excuse - agents will say anything to get people they don't want to shortlist off the phone.

This was my first thought tbh, since pimps have such a stellar reputation when it comes to these things.

The joke was this "gentleman" had called me back. Part of me wonders "why bother" if only to trot out something that reeked of BS. Hey ho, perhaps he was having a slow day.

[SussexSeagull]

Had it a few times. Current contract didn't even ask!

[eek]

However in this case we're talking about a 16 mile trip from SE London to SW London.

It's an excuse - agents will say anything to get people they don't want to shortlist off the phone.

[BHicks]

I dont think its a new thing - my current client was a little apprehensive about my 120 mile daily commute because they'd had quite a few contractors quit over long journeys and the constant delays on the M6...

However in this case we're talking about a 16 mile trip from SE London to SW London.

[Snarf]

I dont think its a new thing - my current client was a little apprehensive about my 120 mile daily commute because they'd had quite a few contractors quit over long journeys and the constant delays on the M6...

[Eirikur]

I often hear the end client had a contractor but left because of the commute. To avoid having the same problem again they only want someone who lives close by.
I usually just say I own a property close by, where I can stay.

[Amanensia]

Eh??


Not seeing the correlation between commuting within London and whether a role is in or out? Maybe I should have told the pimp I ride a Motorbike so traffic? What traffic?

Inside from April ---> no travel expenses claimable ---> large extra expense for the contractor ---> more likely to leave

[BHicks]

sounds like a role that will become inside in April so they'd rather not employ someone who'll leave mid-Feb.

Eh??


Not seeing the correlation between commuting within London and whether a role is in or out? Maybe I should have told the pimp I ride a Motorbike so traffic? What traffic?

[unixman]

Yes, I've seen it at a Milton Keynes company where they required < 1 hour commute to site for call out.

I suggest companies like that take their choice from the wide selection of permies available within a 10 mile radious.

[Lance]

So had a new one today.

Applied for a contract position in London and get a call back from the agent. Virtually the first thing he asks is "Where do you live?".

When I queried the rationale for that he claimed that the client isn't prepared to look at anybody whose commute is over an hour which I found hilarious having previously lived in SE London and worked at Heathrow. Apparently the client location is a 20 minute walk from the nearest station although you will be surprised to hear that he refused to confirm who the client was.

Anybody else ever encountered this? Smells of bulltulip to me but feel free to comment...

sounds like a role that will become inside in April so they'd rather not employ someone who'll leave mid-Feb.

[GhostofTarbera]

Well that's going to fall apart now none of those people can claim expenses.

Was a few years ago before Rbs got rid of 90% of its contractors

I once knew about 40 people in contract with RBS now I know none !!


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[eek]

When I was at Rbs in London they preferred getting people from up north who had to stay all week as they did not need to commute home each day and could work longer


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Well that's going to fall apart now none of those people can claim expenses.