Northern and living outside 60 minutes

[bigbear]

HR from northern have informed me they will not consider any applications for any trainee driver jobs if you live more thsn 60 minutes from the depot even!!! If you intend to relocate, they just wont consider you at all.....

 

[Silv1983]

Unfortunately the temptation to stay put and just commute a long distance every day will be too much for some people - and then when the proverbial hits the fan because a driver is fatigued from his or her week of long distance driving: questions will be ask of Northern's policy on distance to depot.
The only way around the system for people like yourself who legitimately intend to relocate is to find a friend or family member (if they exist) and use their address.

 

[302PS]

Says it on the vacancy ad doesn't it? Can see the logic, as said fatigue would be a factor and also if your called in at short notice to cover someone it's no good being in London unfortunately

 

[185]

Utterly stupid policy. My first two jobs on the railway I relocated 100 miles each time. Proof of the recently arrived shortsighted people who manage Northern HR.

 

[Bluebri]

Drs are advertising and you have to be within 45 minutes. Rules are rules I guess.

 

[Vicpaul]

As some regular posters know I'm desperate to relocate back to the north west and it's bcoming more apparent that despite all my good intentions firms just won't accept that fact.

I cannot take the financial risk of leaving a qualified position to move to be in the "catchment" area so seems I will be stuck untill that lottery win

 

[Jones]

As some regular posters know I'm desperate to relocate back to the north west and it's bcoming more apparent that despite all my good intentions firms just won't accept that fact.

At least you have a sodding job

Utterly stupid policy in my opinion. People relocate all the time. All the HR bods live within the hour i suppose?

 

[Greenback]

The 'HR bods' don't have to live within the hour, they are not safety critical, don't have to book on at 0300 or book off at 0130!

The rules are there for the nature of the job.

As to relocating, I wonder how many people have said they would relocate, were taken on in good faith, but continued to travel long distances to and from work instead of moving home? I understand why, as relocating is simply not possible for some people, and can be an easy or very difficult thing to do depending on circumstances. But perhaps Northern have had their fingers burned once too often?

 

[Fred Dinenage]

Quite interesting as one of the assessments is trainability for rules and procedures and people query if the rules are rigid. If they weren't I suppose they'd be guidelines.

 

[Vicpaul]

I agree that there will have been many that said they will relocate and have never but there needs to be so etching in place for those that want to and can.

 

[northwichcat]

60 minutes for a job that might involve different start and end times. How's that supposed to work? If it's driving 45 minutes with a 05:00 departure might be 70 minutes if you start at 07:45, while if it's public transport and involves a change then travelling at peak time could mean a shorter connection time to at off-peak time.

 

[Vicpaul]

It's meant to be 60 minutes at any time of day so effectively a maximum.

The fatigue stuff is stupid, my commute depending on time of day can be over an hour but is relatively stress free and has no impact on performance.

Rosters now that's a reason why drivers are fatigued.

 

[Greenback]

I agree that fatigue is more likely to be caused by rosters than gettin gto and from work. I also think that there should be some flexibility in allowing people to relocate.

But on the other hand, the TOC is free to set their own limits if they want to, and the last thing they would want is to have to withdraw an offer of employment at the last minute because someone has been unable to relocate by that point in time. So what do they do?

I honestly don't have an answer!

 

[Vicpaul]

I guess there is no real answer but if you can prove you can and are willing relocate to within the said time scale or less and can prove it I think it should be considered and then the company deem what evidence should be provided.

I mean for me northern is no go now as they've told me they want three years as a qualified driver so I'm clinging onto hope for other TOCs in the north west

 

[Greenback]

One thing that may help is if you have a friend or relative in the relevant area. If you can provide an address of someone who is willing to let you stay for a short spell while you look for accommodation, the TOC may take that into account. I put the fact that I had family within 5 miles into my applications when I was looking to move areas years ago. It worked, in so far as I got interviews, so wasn't dismissed out of hand.

It may be even better if they said you could use their address to apply, under a c/o address.

The last railway job I applied for was all done electronically. Nothing ever came to my address, though if I had been successful at interview something may have arrived by post. So, your friend or relative wouldn't be overburdened with forwarding on your mail!

 

[Bluebri]

I guess there is no real answer but if you can prove you can and are willing relocate to within the said time scale or less and can prove it I think it should be considered and then the company deem what evidence should be provided.

I mean for me northern is no go now as they've told me they want three years as a qualified driver so I'm clinging onto hope for other TOCs in the north west

Just out of curiosity, how flexible are you on relocation location. As discussed, DRS are recruiting for Trainee Drivers, asking to be 45 mins away, but they also have a qualified driver vacancy open and that states that they may help with relocation. That indicates at least they are willing to consider that, so it follows that other TOC's and FOC's possibly would. Could be a good candidate for Location, Location, Location on Channel 4

Seriously though, are you able to apply for these 'qualified' vacancies? If so, have you contacted the TOC's / FOC's directly to ask about this policy? May be worth a few calls or emails.

 

[455driver]

I used to commute on a motorbike and the best I have ever managed was 8 minutes and 20 seconds for 13.2 miles, extrapolating that gives me about 90 miles!

All this 60 minutes rubbish isnt really relevant to anything, I have done a very stressfull 20 minute commute and a nice easy 90 minute commute, I know which one I preferred.

 

[Vicpaul]

Ideally want to stay on the passenger side of things and where we are looking move I would be in 30 minutes of lime street. Want the best work life balance I can.

FTPE have given me advice but it's not viable. Northern again stipulated they wouldn't consider my application based on my distance and my experience (TOCs don't accept tube driving)

It's gonna be a long road but I will end up where we need to be

 

[LBSCR Times]

I've found that 30' in a car can be more stressful than a direct train service of up to 75', but put a change of trains in and you worry about the connection.