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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU - Assessment Centre?

32 replies

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 18:48

Name changed just in case, but I am a regular and posting here for traffic.

I had a second interview today and they advised that I'd be sent an invite to an assessment centre - great!

The email came through and it's for one day in a couple of weeks and is a 5 hour drive. All fine, however there is a note on the invite advising that if I want a hotel for the night, then they have an arranged discount with the local hotel, but that they wont be reimbursing me .

AIBU to expect that they should pay for the hotel, given the fact that I will need to stay over as I can't drive a 10 hour round trip and do a full day of assessment centre activities without falling asleep at the wheel? I'm happy to cover the rest of the expenses, but I think a 300 mile trip plus hotel costs is a bit much to fork out for a job that I may not even get.

OP posts:

LakieLady · 26/09/2017 19:03

I think that's outrageous and I'd tell them where to poke it.

I suppose it comes down to how much you want the job.

Peachyking000 · 26/09/2017 19:05

YANBU to want the cost reimbursed however I think it would seriously jeopardise your chance of getting the job if you quibble about it.

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 19:10

That's what I was thinking, but was wondering if I was turning into one of The Great Entitled

I'd really like the job, and it fits in well with my career, but it's not the only job I'm interviewing for at the moment. I can afford it, but to fork out £150 expenses on a job I might not get, seems a bit cheeky to me.

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Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 19:11

That's what I'm worried about Peachy

OP posts:

Bombardier25966 · 26/09/2017 19:17

It's common in graduate recruitment, and few pay expenses. Recruitment is expensive, paying expenses for multiple candidates makes it ridiculously so. I'd weigh up how much you want the job and the chances of you getting it, and base your decision on that.

Rainatnight · 26/09/2017 19:19

I wouldn't dream of expecting a potential employer to pay for that. If you want the job, you pay it.

Is it public or private sector?

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 19:28

Not a graduate role. And I've no idea what my chances of getting it are They seem to like me, but I don't know how many other candidates there are or where I might feature in the rankings.

Really Rain (genuine question)? Even when the job they are employing you for is local to me, not the assessment centre? Everything I've read online suggests that it's usually the employer that pays for it (not that there is much online, hence my question here). Travel expenses I'd expect to cover, but this is overnight accommodation, which I'd think would be covered. It's private sector, massive international company.

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Rainatnight · 26/09/2017 19:47

I really, genuinely wouldn't. Especially not when it's not a graduate job. It wouldn't even cross my mind, in fact. And I travelled to a whole other country to interview for my first job.

Muddlingalongalone · 26/09/2017 19:54

Is the assessment centre 5hrs from where the office/job is based or 5hrs from where you live?
If it's the former then I'd be inclined to pay but if it's the latter I definitely wouldn't. If you apply for a job 5 hrs away that's your choice.

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 19:57

Thank you, looks like I'm going to have to take the hit then.

OP posts:

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 26/09/2017 19:59

It wouldn't occur to me that hotel or travel expenses might be covered.

I work in the NHS though so I am used to being badly treated by HR!

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 20:00

Both Muddling The job location is actually 17 miles from me in the opposite direction, so it's even further away from the assessment centre. If I was relocating, I would totally expect to fund all travel costs.

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user1471548375 · 26/09/2017 20:00

I'd be expecting the employer to pay for this, especially after two rounds of interviews already.

Tbh, I'd be questioning if it was the sort of employer I wanted to work for if they were behaving like that.

As to the PP who says "you want the job, you pay" LOL! As the candidate, it's your skills and experience that are in demand. It's as much the companies chance to woo you as for you to impress them. Not indentured servitude.

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 20:36

That was my first thought user Although I'm quite glad to not be alone in thinking it!

OP posts:

Cath2907 · 26/09/2017 20:39

I'd expect reasonable expenses to be reimbursed. Fine to say you must stay in ore approved hotel but would expect the cost of room and breakfast to be reimbursed.

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 20:44

Exactly Cath And I wouldn't mind paying up front and them reimbursing me.

OP posts:

5rivers7hills · 26/09/2017 20:46

I would 100% expect that to be reimbursed since the job is local to you.

13bastards · 26/09/2017 20:50

I'm an in house recruiter for a v large uk company. We don't pay interview expenses.

We would try and accommodate candidates by holding states at various locations across the UK if possible but if not then we would expect the candidate to foot the bill.

Not saying it's right- just how we do it.

shouldaknownbetter · 26/09/2017 20:51

Bit mean of them not to pay for hotel if the assessment centre is miles from where the job is based. But if you say anything now... your goose is cooked.

13bastards · 26/09/2017 20:51

I also think lots of employers are all behind on the thought that recruitment is a candidate driven market. Employers need you, not the other way around but lots of companies still operate on a 'you're lucky we're considering you' ethos- no ok!

Original poster

Onthejobhunt · 26/09/2017 21:34

Thanks everyone, I'll probably go and just chalk it up to experience if I don't get it. It's my first assessment centre, so it will be good to see what it's like even if it does cost me the best part of £200 to do so

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Littledrummergirl · 26/09/2017 21:46

I'd tell them thanks but no thanks personally. They should be arranging these things locally to where the job is based or paying expenses in my opinion.
I would be wondering where else they would be expecting me to travel to and how the expenses work when employed.

Muddlingalongalone · 26/09/2017 21:56

Yes they should pay expenses if it's that far away.
I wonder why they are holding it so far away though??? Bizarre...

HandbagFan · 26/09/2017 22:10

I work in HR for a large firm and we cover travel expenses over 50 miles and would certainly cover a hotel adjacent to an assessment centre.

I'd be telling them to stick it myself.

melj1213 · 26/09/2017 23:02

Under the circumstances you have presented - the assessment centre being both 5 hrs from you and the job and it not being practical to do in a day - I'd either expect expenses or just say "Thanks but no thanks"

They are the ones requiring you to travel so far, for a job that is fairly local, it is only fair that they reimburse you for any expenses associated with their arbitrary assessment location.

Not only that but either you are unemployed currently which will give you the flexibility to take 2 days for an assessment interview but not necessarily the funds to afford a hotel/transport on a couple of weeks notice. Or you're in employment and therefore would be more likely to have the funds but not necessarily the flexibility to take two days of leave from your current job for a job you might not get!

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