Can an employer ask how far away you live?

As an employer, you may prefer someone who lives close to work. Therefore, you might want to ask about where a candidate or employee lives. However, you can’t ask about the length of someone’s commute or where they live in the city.

Can an employer require employees to live within a certain distance of the workplace?

The simple answer to these questions is yes, your employer can making hiring and firing decisions based on where you live. Some employers view potential employees with a long commute as risky. Government employers might also require employees live within the city or county in which they work.

What is considered a reasonable commuting distance?

Mission. In accordance with the references, a reasonable commute is defined as a local commuting area that consists of approximately 50-mile radius of the HTC or a distance that may be traveled by an automobile under average conditions of traffic, weather, and roads in approximately one and a half hour period.

Can an employer tell you where to live?

“The short answer is yes, employers can discriminate against you based on where you live. In fact, she said many government employers require that employees live within the boundaries of a city or county.

Can my employer ask me to work at a different location?

Your contract of employment may contain an express (written) term requiring you work at one of a number of locations. This is known as a ‘mobility clause’. Mobility clauses should always be in writing and must use clear language. They should not be hidden away.

Can your employer change your work location?

Your contract of employment sets out your working hours and place of work. An employer cannot change these terms without your express consent. However, there may be a mobility clause in your contract which requires you to move branches at your employer’s discretion.

Do companies have to pay employees for longer commutes?

Companies do, however, have to pay such employees for travel that they require as part of the job, including travel that is substantially longer than an ordinary commute. This raises the question: At what point does an employee’s drive to an alternate work site become “substantially” longer than an ordinary commute?

Does longer commute time hurt employee engagement?

Higher turnover rates – Over time, data reveals that long commutes that are not mitigated will cause more to quit. Reduced employee engagement — Commute time or distance may also hurt employee engagement (Xerox Services found that commute distance “is strongly associated with employee engagement and retention”).

Can I deduct my commute to work as a business trip?

Making business calls or listening to work-related tapes won’t cut it. Having advertising on your vehicle won’t convert a commute into a business trip either. The IRS commuting rule makes it tougher to figure out which drives from home are deductible.

Is commute time more important than distance on resume?

Commute time may be more important than distance — Be careful of using the ZIP code from a candidate’s resume to determine potential commute issues because the commute time (rather than distance) and the availability of reasonable public transportation may be better predictors of upcoming commute issues.