Pimp claiming client requirement for maximum commute

[BHicks]

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...

[BolshieBastard]

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...

Nope, not a new one (well, might be for London).

I came across this more than a couple of times in my last 5 years of contracting in the North. Clients wanted someone 'local' presumambly so they could chain them to the desk or not be able to say 'Im leaving now because Ive a near 2 hour commute to get home'!

Im surprised it hasnt become more prevalent since I retired to be honest.

[CheeseSlice]

Maybe there is an on-call element that involves attending the site?

[Cirrus]

I got a contract once because I lived locally (1 hour) whereas the 'other' candidate came from 150+ miles away.

Contractors are often precious petals that need special treatment on Mondays and Fridays etc. Mind you big consultancies can be a pain with their people as well.

[northernladuk]

Yep. I've been turned down for at least two gigs because I would have had to stay over and they wanted someone in commuting distance.

My bet is they've been burned before with these idiots that take a gig and then turn up in the first week demanding WFH, don't get it and then leave.

[vwdan]

I got a contract once because I lived locally (1 hour) whereas the 'other' candidate came from 150+ miles away.

Contractors are often precious petals that need special treatment on Mondays and Fridays etc. Mind you big consultancies can be a pain with their people as well.

The irony being clients probably get far more out of me Tuesday - Thursday because I don't really mind staying late.

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

[BHicks]

Maybe there is an on-call element that involves attending the site?

I did ask that and apparently no on call element.

I did also suggest that the job posting should mention that "requirement" upfront given that it's of such importance (tongue firmly in cheek here).

[hairymouse]

Could it have to do with the impending month long train strike?

[jmo21]

I've had my suspicions that's why I've not gotten interviews in the past, so definitely not new (as others confirm)

Just another item clients/agents may have on their list in order to prioritise candidates.

[GhostofTarbera]

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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