Would you hire an employee that lived 35-50 miles away?

[Crew Chief]

I believe that my employer has a restriction on how far the drivers on our account can live from the warehouse we work out of. But I'm not sure what it is. I live 30 miles from work but my commute is mostly interstate and during off-peak hours. And I'm an "all-weather driver" As long as attendance is not an issue, I don't see a problem with where an employee lives.

[kodaka]

I agree 35 miles isn't that far, nor is 50 miles so far outside the realm of possibility. In urban areas, urban sprawl often necessitates a long commute. And in rural areas, a lack of job opportunities often necessitates a long commute too.

But I've heard some ludicrous rules like this from employers too. A few years ago, a company in Baltimore told me they didn't consider applicants from more than 20 miles away. I live in DC, but at the time I was considering to move to B'more and would have if I'd gotten a job there. But their rule just seemed so laughable to me because tens of thousands of people make the commute between baltimore and dc every day.

Employer's loss, I say.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by lionandlamb

Greetings,
Why do you think it miles apart from job - keeping u from getting the job?

I think my concern was at one job back in Virginia, I had a manager who lived a long way from the branch about 40-50 miles. Add Washington DC traffic into that and it's a murder commute. She was horrible about coming in on time and called out every time any preciptation hit the ground.

[Svensk Fisk]

Can he do the best job? Then I say yes.

[rulesforrebelsdotcom]

That's really not that far at all. Many if not most people outside of Chicago who commute to the city are probably just slightly over 30 miles. And if your in an area with not alot of traffic even a 50 miles commute wouldn't be all that bad.

I woudln't not hire someoen because of a long commute but at the same time if I had two equal candidates that may be a tie breaker. They are less likely to catch traffic on the way to work and be late, more easily able to stay late if need be, etc.