What type of discrimination is it when someone wont hire you because of travel distance?

Question

I live in a small city but its 15 miles or about 20 minutes with traffic to 3 other major cities. The last person I spoke to, thought it was a big deal to live this distance and want to work there. This is California not Mars. Any real suggestions. I cant move for 6 months and dont feel its necessary to do so. I have a car and public transportation.

Ok, just because some have never experienced said situation lets NOT think that this is not a problem that doesnt exist. Yes, some are narrow minded. I use to commute 2 hours to work so 20 minutes with traffic is a joke. I look great on paper until they find out where I live, then theres a problem.

Answer 1

15 miles is nothing. I used to commute 70mi each way at one time (this is in the UK) and it was nearer 2hrs than 20 mins. Obviously this person you're dealing with is a small town hick.

Answer 2

Discrimination? How about practical and common sense.

If you were applying for a high paying professional job that required a degree or certification, the comment would never have been raised.

If you are applying for a low paying job, then it is a legitimate question, since low paying jobs can be found close to anybody's home. Why travel for a low paying job?

The interviewer is correct in the view that anybody who would take public transportation and the cost for that, along with fighting city traffic and the time and cost to do that for a low paying job will never last very long, and this type of thinking is correct.

Professional job applicants are not asked this question for reasons I stated--they usually have cars, and the high paying nature of good career positions make distance and time a moot point.

You need to stop with the "discrimination" angle and be less defensive.

Answer 3

There's no requirement, one way or another, for the distance that you travel to or from work be disclosed but it's not a form of discrimination which you can go to any agency about either, and I'd be surprised if any Employer would not hire you solely on that alone.

It is very common, these days, for people to travel over 50 miles each way.........even more. And that's especially true in Los Angeles County where people are coming in from even greater distances, they've constructed transit systems just to accommodate them.

If you personally were turned down just because of the distance that you live from the office, then there's got to be another reason or the person responsible for hiring is lying to you.

Answer 4

It isn't discriminatory not to hire someone based on where they live. Discrimination only includes the Title IX stuff - age, race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual preference, etc.

They are probably hesitant to hire you because they feel you'll be late or miss a lot of time due to the distance. May be totally unfounded, but there you are. All you can do is to continue reassuring them that you really want to work in this area, you plan to relocate yourself here in the near future (true or not - you can always "change your mind" after discovering that the commute isn't so bad), and your last commute was much worse.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I'm not certain but I don't think they can ask you where exactly you live, only if you have reliable transportation. There are remarkably few questions an interviewer may ask nowadays, be that good or bad. I would suggest you call your local job service or labor board office and run this by them.
Depending on what you learn from a reliable source, you may wish to call the HR representative at the firm you are trying to get on with. If the interviewer asked you an illegal question (and realistically very few "interviewers" know what is legal and what is not), you may have grounds to lodge a complaint or appeal the decision if they don't hire you.
I'm not saying you should do anything beyond check into it. But interviewers do not need to be asking illegal questions. There is a reason some questions are illegal!

Answer 6

This isn't discrimination; it is the interviewer's perception that if you live too far away, you won't be as reliable as they need. So, figure out ways to discount tht fear. Demonstrate your reliability in other positions and how you weren't deterred by difficult conditions. Think of times you've gone over and above to show up for work and do a good job, especially if there were times that others used various excuses not to show up.

Answer 7

Hmmmm....there is the possibility this could be deemed to be a form of indirect racial discrimination, if an area of high ethinic diversity is just outside the acceptable 'travel-to-work' zone.
20 minutes isn't a big deal at all - I live about 5 miles from work and it can take me that long!

Answer 8

It might be a good idea to explain to potential employers that your current address is temporary and you'll move in the next 6 months. Also, let them know that the commute works well for you.

Finally, you might consider getting a PO Box for a while and putting that address on applications. If no one complains, they also won't find out - and really don't need to know - your current address.

Answer 9

There are no laws against not hiring you because you live too far away. Its like insurance for them to prevent you from saying you're late because of traffic or what not. My only advice is to either find a job who doesn't mind, or wait for your chance t move out of that area.

Answer 10

You don't have to move, I guarantee you can get a job where you live. The distance you drive shouldn't be a concern for your employer. I am not going to say he is discriminating against you because you live 'far' away that's silly. For whatever reason he didn't hire you, does it matter? You can get whatever you want. You want a job, you can get one.
Sincerely,
Ken Seavert