At what point would you mention this?

[ColdemortReturns]

Have an interview (zoom) for a position in a city some way from me. The commute is just under 2 hours in total which as an hour of it is sat on a train is just about doable. However....
Train times mean I can get to place of work at 8.10 or 9.10. Hours are advertised 9-5. Due to the length of the commute, I'm not prepared to get into the city at 8 and hang around for an hour.
So when would I bring up negotiating hours? (as in 9.15 - 5.15, or take a shorter lunch break). Do I mention it at interview stage which would look a bit negative? Or wait for if I get an offer - which if they say no then would have been a big waste of everyones time? It's an office based position and I can't see any reason why it would be imperative for me to be there for 9.

For something so small as 15min I'd wait until offer stage. They are highly unlikely to say no if you suggest either lessening your lunch hour or working 15m later in the afternoon. Good luck

I think you could ring and explain the train times and ask if a 9:15 start is possible, especially if you really won't take the job if it's not, you have nothing to lose.

Personally, I'd ask for 8:15 and an early finish, or maybe it will be possible to have a short lunch break.

I would not bring up hours at interview stage as I dont think this is a good move. Time st start negotiating hours after you have accepted the offer.

But you could reasonably ask about flexibility of hours in general, especially with lockdown. Do you always have to be in the office? If I can WFH some days, I might feel less bothered about having to be in early on office days.

If theres a WFH option it would make a world of difference. I would be prepared to go in for 8 say 3 days a week if I could WFH the other 2.
Interview tomorrow eek. I'm going to see if its comes up naturally in conversation I think, but wont force the issue if it doesnt.

Wait for an offer, definitely, before asking about slight adjustment in the time.

I would definitely not bring this up at interview, it will sound a bit trivial. I would be quite inclined to wait until I start work, getting the earlier train to start with.

@Aprilx

I would definitely not bring this up at interview, it will sound a bit trivial. I would be quite inclined to wait until I start work, getting the earlier train to start with.

I really agree with this.

Sorry if it’s an unpopular opinion, but if you said ‘I don’t want to get in at 8.10 so I need to come in ‘late’ every day before you are hired I really would be questioning your work ethic

In reality, if you get the job, do the early thing during probation, prove self, then adjust hours

If it’s a 2 hr commute, will you be doing some WFH days? I think that’s something to find out

I don't see the point in doing that if after probation they say no, then I would leave. I'm sure neither employee or employer wants that!
Hopefully we're past the days where requests for slight adjustments in core hours due to work/life balance are seen as being 'work shy!'.

@coldemortreturns

I don't see the point in doing that if after probation they say no, then I would leave. I'm sure neither employee or employer wants that! Hopefully we're past the days where requests for slight adjustments in core hours due to work/life balance are seen as being 'work shy!'.

I think the point is that an employer is unlikely to object to a ten minute later start, so once feet are under table it is something that can be brought up.

Whereas saying at interview stage I want to start ten minutes later because I don’t want to turn up early, might not come across well.

Wait until you get the job. It’s the one and only time you have your employer over a barrel as they’ve decided they want you!
Good luck 😉