Candidates expecting remote work

So we’ve been trying to hire a third person for my department. Everyone want remote work. We had one guy who accepted the job then on his first day, contacted us right at start time to tell us he wouldn’t be showing up as he wanted remote, which we do not officer. Couple of weeks later, we hear from him, asking if he could still work for us. He couldn’t find something remote as they don’t exist for those jobs in my industry. Local positions that are posted are all in office. Our job posting says in office. Guy was told it was in office multiple times, and he even signed a document confirming he understood no remote work.

Now I'm curious, what generation does he fall in? Not that correlation necessarily results in causation...

He was 30ish.

Personally if I were looking for work I’d be honest if I wanted remote. (Which I have and would want). But in my industry it’s the norm. Part of my job is in person meetings with insurance brokers and I now have to spend three days in seattle for what would have been a one day trip so that I can see everyone I want to see.

I have multiple friends who have been out of work for months. They’re turning down good jobs with good salaries because they refuse to do a 20 min commute. Won’t look at anything that isn’t WFH v

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Originally Posted by Tradd

I have multiple friends who have been out of work for months. They’re turning down good jobs with good salaries because they refuse to do a 20 min commute. Won’t look at anything that isn’t WFH v

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I hate to be "that guy" that thinks young people don't want to work, but sometimes...

I remember when DH interviewed a person--it was for a great entree job. But her big question was "are there places to shop nearby?" Of course, if he had been able to tell her that she could work remotely, she probably would have been fine, but she turned him down because there was only a small strip mall across the highway..

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Originally Posted by catherine

I hate to be "that guy" that thinks young people don't want to work, but sometimes...

I remember when DH interviewed a person--it was for a great entree job. But her big question was "are there places to shop nearby?" Of course, if he had been able to tell her that she could work remotely, she probably would have been fine, but she turned him down because there was only a small strip mall across the highway..

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Well, these friends who are turning down in office jobs are about 60.

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Originally Posted by Tradd

Well, these friends who are turning down in office jobs are about 60.

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Interesting. Then maybe they are trying to slow down and finding a remote job is a way to do that.

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Originally Posted by catherine

Interesting. Then maybe they are trying to slow down and finding a remote job is a way to do that.

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The problem is that they can’t afford to. They’re running out of savings and have expressed worry to me. Yet they’re being picky picky about WFH. I just don’t get it.

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Originally Posted by Tradd

The problem is that they can’t afford to. They’re running out of savings and have expressed worry to me. Yet they’re being picky picky about WFH. I just don’t get it.

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Yeah. That's a problem, I'll admit. What delusion are they working under that they are going to be considered desirable candidates at their age? Of course, I'm not doubting their skills and experience but I'm still in the workforce at 72 and I fully understand that at my age, beggars can't be choosers. You have to take what you can get. I just had a meeting with my new website designer. I'm not skating.

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Originally Posted by catherine

Yeah. That's a problem, I'll admit. What delusion are they working under that they are going to be considered desirable candidates at their age? Of course, I'm not doubting their skills and experience but I'm still in the workforce at 72 and I fully understand that at my age, beggars can't be choosers. You have to take what you can get. I just had a meeting with my new website designer. I'm not skating.

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They’ve both turned down offers of approx $100K because they’d have to drive 20 min and work in an office all day. Maybe some hybrid. You’re worried about money and you only turn down a $100K job because it’s in office. That’s not chump change.