Mid-interview process, hiring location changed

I’ve been unemployed since March, and have struggled like everyone else in the job market. The couple of interviews I’ve gotten have only come through referrals, it’s rough out here. FWIW I’ve been in IT for 10+ years.

My most recent interview process has been great. I’ve had great conversations, and we’re all on the same page. The people are wonderful, the pay is decent (although a slight step down). It’s a hybrid role which is a change after being fully remote for a few years. The problem is that I’ve made it to the final round and I’m now being told the hybrid location is different.

On a call with the director, I was told that the office location was different. Not that it changed, or a conscious decision was made, but rather everyone else (including the job description and direct manager) were “confused”. The location listed is about 10-15 minutes away from home. The new location I will have to commute to 3x a week is an hour away. I did ask for clarity and they confirmed it. The HR person reached out to ask if this would make me reconsider the role.

I was honest and said expressed how I felt about the people, the role, the work ahead and my excitement. In the most formal way I could, I expressed my frustration in learning this so late in the process and did ask if there was any flexibility in the pay band, benefit package, etc. I told them they’re suddenly adding 6 uncompensated hours to my work week.

Perhaps I screwed myself out of an offer by not bending over backwards, but I have far too much integrity and self respect to take the bait and switch. Perhaps I dodged a bullet. Maybe the direct manager won’t actually care and I’m worrying over nothing. I’m fortunate my partner has a great job and we have a good safety cushion. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not the end of the world and I kinda feel “first-world-problems” about it. It just sucks to get invested and hopeful, then have a wrench thrown in the whole thing. We’ll see what happens!