A change in workplace policy has prompted an employee to reconsider their future with the organisation after a fully remote role was converted into a hybrid one. The employee, who joined the company expecting to work from home permanently, now has to travel nearly 115 km a day for two consecutive days every week to attend the office.
The marketing professional, with around five years of experience and over a year at the current organisation, shared the situation on an online discussion forum while preparing for an interview with another company offering a remote role. Apart from the increased travel, the employee also expressed concerns over the lack of clarity around the appraisal process, saying the uncertainty had further strengthened the decision to explore new opportunities.
Seeking advice ahead of the interview, the employee asked whether the long commute would be a reasonable explanation for wanting to switch jobs and how best to present it to a prospective employer.
In a later update, the employee revealed that the interviewer did ask why they were looking for a change. During the discussion, the employee cited recent layoffs at the current company and explained that the newly opened office is located about 60 km away. The employee also clarified that the objective was not simply to find another remote job, but to work in a location that offered a more practical daily commute.
The post triggered a broader conversation on changing workplace policies and commuting challenges. Several users observed that long journeys between Delhi, Gurugram and Greater Noida have become increasingly common for professionals. Others pointed out that remote work policies can change over time, meaning a new employer could also shift to a hybrid model in the future.
Many participants advised framing a job switch around career growth and long-term opportunities rather than focusing solely on remote work, while others suggested evaluating commute expectations carefully before accepting a new offer.
