HR department insists job applicant flies home from international vacation to attend in person interview: 'You have to be here this Thursday'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 22, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

The interview process is a critical part of both the hiring and job-seeking journey. It is not only a way for a company to figure out if a candidate is somebody they want to work with, but also a part of how the applicant decides if a job is going to be right for them. The red flags and warning signs do not always show up at this early stage, but when they do, they are usually pretty darn obvious.

It is the responsibility of the interviewer and the interviewee to suss out if the first impression is one that they would like to stick with, and some will do everything in their power to make sure the answer is no. From an applicant point of view, it can be surprising just how adamant certain businesses are at showing you how bad they are probably going to be to work for. At least it makes it easier to avoid a mistake.

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  • 01
    woman sits by a glass window using a laptop and mobile phone with a suitcase beside her
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • In this story, one woman was mulling over this attitude after a company she was applying to became demanding with the time they expected her to interview. Despite the fact that she was vacationing abroad to help a family member with a house move, they insisted that she take an early flight back home for her interview. Having previously stated her availability, she felt this wasn't fair behavior. She wanted to know how other people might deal with such a situation.

  • 02

    HR insisting I fly back early from abroad for an in-person interview

    So I'm currently abroad (literally in Madrid helping a relative move), and I was upfront with HR about it. I told them I'd be back next week and could do the interview in person as soon as I land. Their response? "You have to be here this Thursday for the interview."
    via NatSurvivor
  • 03
    woman sitting by a window using a laptop with a suitcase beside her
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 04
    Like... what?? I even tried checking with the airline to see if I could change my flight, but it's impossible to move it up earlier without insane costs, and yet they keep pushing for me to magically appear this week. I offered to be available ANY day starting Monday next week, but apparently that's not good enough.
    via NatSurvivor
  • 05
    It honestly makes me wonder: if they're this inflexible at the interview stage, what's it going to be like actually working there? Also this process has been going on for a month Has anyone else dealt with recruiters/HR demanding the impossible?
    via NatSurvivor
  • 06
    a plane flying midair
    via Alexander Mils (Unsplash+)
  • 07

    Commenters agreed that this constituted unacceptable hiring practices.

    Olivia Presteign Yeah, I'd bow out of the process. It's a two business day difference, and this is crazy inflexible. This is not a fit.
    via OliviaPresteign
  • 08
    Peace_Hope_Luv Have they heard about zoom or teams? I mean, I would not waste my money & time with that kind of inflexibility. Please.
    via Peace_Hope_Luv
  • 09
    DoucheNozzle 1163 Now, just imagine the ridiculous demand they will make when you are an actual employee. They did you a favor showing their face early.
    via DoucheNozzle1163
  • 10
    Dapper-Two-3072 Not a good sign. They are not considerate with just the interview process imagine how they would be to work for. My husband interviewed for a job in NYC, it was during the NJ transit strike. The company did not allow him to change the interview to when the trains would be back running. I told him that's a sign they would not be flexible with family emergencies nothing. Like relationships jobs also show bad signs from the jump | know my current job did.
    via Dapper-Two-3072
  • 11
    More-Jacket-9034 Start jumping through hoops now and you'll be jumping through flaming hoops 20' high later. They're either testing to see what they can get away with or ridiculously inflexible. Neither is indicative of a good workplace.
    via More-Jacket-9034
  • 12
    Own_Lengthiness_6485 Had my own recruiting agency for 22 years this sounds like a power move by a headhunter because there is another candidate interviewing that they are not representing.
    via Own_Lengthiness_6485
  • 13
    RandomGen-Xer I would stand firm on my availability and would also be seriously considering if I really wanted to work for this company whose HR doesn't understand work/life balance before I even accept a job from them.
    via RandomGen-Xer
  • 14
    Dakets I run hiring for VP and Director level roles and we'd never do this. Red flag, imo.
    via Dakets
  • 15
    aikigrl If you still want the role and have the email of the hiring manager (not HR) I would be forwarding the HR demands to them to clarify if the 2 days difference is an issue for the hiring manager. Otherwise if you have decided this is a great big red flag for future events, then decline the role specifying the reason and cc the hiring manager.
    via aikigrl
  • 16
    If this is just some HR buffoon on a power trip, then the actual hiring manager need to know their HR might have cost the company a good candidate.
    via aikigrl
  • 17
    learn_and_learn Tell them they can pay for your early flight
    via learn_and_learn
  • 18
    Basil Vegetable3339 This is not a reasonable request. Let them know when you are available and see what happens if you are interested in the job. Frankly I'd tell them to off.
    via BasilVegetable3339
  • 19
    Dogstar_9 Doesn't sound like a company you want to work for. I ran into a similar issue a number of years ago when I was processing to go back to work for a federal agency. I ended up telling the SAIC that she reminded me why I left the first time and that I would not be returning.
    via Dogstar_9
  • 20
    AdventurousAmoeba 139 I drove all the way back cross county for the same reason once and didn't get the job. Resentful to this day. Don't do it. I'm a manager now, if I had a resume I liked and I had to wait a few extra days for the interview that would be FINE.
    via AdventurousAmoeba139
  • 21
    Intrepid Leopard4352 I think they just interviewed themselves for you. Do not move any further along with these control freaks
    via Intrepid_Leopard4352
  • 22
    spids69 Seems like they're showing you the company culture. I'd take a hard pass on that job.
    via spids69
  • 23
    eV210x2 Let them know due to their inflexibility that you'll be withdrawing your application. That's insane lol. I'd understand if you were an hour away on a beach trip but that's clearly not the case. Cc their direct manager and the ceo.
    via eV210x2

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international hr job work flight human resources Travel reddit thread Reddit company job interview entitled people vacation job application
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