Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The Workplace Red Flags That All Employees Should Look Out For

We are currently in a market that favors workers over employers – many workers feel empowered to seek out different positions and have reevaluated what they want in their careers amid the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many workers left their jobs in search of greener pastures because they were ready for a change, and others were more than happy to leave behind toxic workplaces that only burned them out.

As you can imagine, they've become rather adept at noticing red flags during the interview process and beyond.

People shared their thoughts with us after Redditor taylortaylortaylorrr asked the online community,

"What is a red flag from an employer that people might not immediately recognize as a red flag?"

"It can be hard to tell..."

"When an employee quits or gets fired from the job and the company doesn't hire anyone new to replace them."

" It can be hard to tell as a red flag at first, but the temporary workload they added to your own over that was left over after the person left, slowly becomes your new permanent workload, without any changes to your pay or benefits to compensate for the additional tasks."

"The further out it goes without the position being filled, the larger and more obvious the red flag becomes."

The_Quicktrigger

Very good to know. Not only will the red flag become more prominent but the likelihood of burnout will increase as well.

"The CEO..."

"The CEO/boss/whatever drives a conspicuously expensive car."

snootfull

This does say a lot about company leadership, particularly if the rest of the workers are feasting on scraps.

"If it's a private/family company..."

"If it's a private/family company, do a Google search for '[company name] defendant' and '[company name] plaintiff.'

"If the company has been sued, or is in the habit of suing others, that can be a red flag- although something there are legit reasons for. But it's something worth paying attention to."

snootfull

You probably wouldn't want to be involved with a company that could land you in legal trouble, would you?

"If the company brings alcohol..."

"If the company brings alcohol into the office for 'end of week' sessions on a regular basis. I know they can be fun but it's a stupendously bad idea for all kinds of reasons and if leadership hasn't figured that out then I'd think twice before joining."

snootfull

This is a big reason why it is so important to have boundaries to work and your personal life. Alcohol can certainly make things messy.

"If it's a job in a manufacturing or distribution facility, is it messy or tidy? Messy, cluttered facilities are indicative of poor management, plus they can be dangerous."

snootfull

Dangerous indeed. That's how lawsuits happen!

"Pay attention to the feeling in your gut. If something feels 'off,' then it probably is."

snootfull

Probably the most important piece of advice here, arguably. If it doesn't sit right with you, it's probably for an excellent reason.

"When you don't get a review..."

"When you don’t get a review until you ask for a raise. Then, all of a sudden, your work is being questioned and you’re being berated."

Joeyjackhammer

How convenient, right?

Many people fall into this trap and it exhausts them. Talk about toxic workplaces!

"I know people..."

"I know people (rightfully) like to hate on HR, but if a company brags about 'not having an HR department to deal with,' expect them to be very disorganized at a minimum."

abolish-gender

You definitely want an HR department! Not having one can create an environment in which so many boundaries are crossed.

"It tells me that..."

"Open interviews. It tells me that people leave faster than you can bring them in, and with good reason."

T-money79

This often happens in fast food establishments, which have very high turnover rates. While horrible customers are one thing, bad management definitely contributes to the revolving door effect in these establishments.

"What'll happen..."

"If you’re being interviewed/hired and they tell you have/will have multiple managers to report to. Basically if there is not a clear chain of command."

"What’ll happen is eventually one manager’s directions, goals or instructions will conflict with the other’s, and you’ll get caught in the middle of it. And one or both will use it against you in performance reviews."

Orpheus6102

This is crucial to remember – a clear chain of command is important, with each party willing and able to take responsibility for their part. Anything less can backfire.

Now that you've listened and absorbed some of these, you're bound to feel more empowered, right?

Now get out there and slay your next interview. And remember – trust your gut.

Have some advice of your own to give? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Elon Musk
Allison Robbert/Pool/Getty Images

Elon Musk Sued For Fraud By Petition Signers Over Million Dollar Vote Buying Scheme

Three proposed class-action lawsuits have been filed against billionaire Elon Musk alleging that his political action committee, America PAC, engaged in fraudulent practices. The lawsuits claim the PAC misled voters by promising a random $1 million cash prize, even though the winners were allegedly predetermined.

Musk established America PAC in October to back President-elect Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign. The PAC reportedly targeted Trump supporters in battleground states, encouraging them to share personal information and sign an online petition advocating for "free speech and the right to bear arms" in exchange for a chance to win the prize.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ben Domenech; Matt Gaetz
Gage Skidmore/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons; Jose Luis Magana/Pool/Getty Images

Conservative Has Brutal Warning For GOP After Trump Picks 'Vile Sex Pest' Gaetz For AG

After President-elect Donald Trump chose Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz for his Attorney General, conservative commentator Ben Domenech—the co-founder of The Federalist and editor-at-large of The Spectator World—did not hold back with a warning to anyone who votes to confirm him.

Domenech highlighted that Gaetz was previously the subject of a Justice Department investigation into alleged sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl and has faced scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee over accusations of sexual misconduct. However, that inquiry effectively concluded on Wednesday when Gaetz announced his resignation from Congress.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk; Donald Trump
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Allison Robbert/Pool/Getty Images

Elon Musk Mocked After Trump Reportedly Joked To Republicans That He 'Can't Get Rid Of Him'

Billionaire Elon Musk was swiftly mocked after President-elect Donald Trump reportedly joked to House Republicans on Wednesday that he "can't get rid of" the man who in recent months has been Trump's most vocal cheerleader.

The Hill reported that Trump said the following when meeting with members of the House GOP:

Keep ReadingShow less
Dean Withers; Emily Wilson
@larryjackmac/TikTok

Conservative Influencer Stuns TikTok By Saying That Slavery Should Be 'State-By-State' Choice

In many ways, we should have all seen the recent election results coming, and chief among the missed signs is how cooked some of Gen Z's brains are.

Though the majority of the age group voted for Kamala Harris, a staggering proportion voted for Donald Trump at a far higher percentage than is typical for the youth vote where Republicans are concerned.

Keep ReadingShow less
surprised
Nachristos on Unsplash

People Describe The Most Unbelievable Coincidences They've Ever Experienced

Coincidence is defined as "a remarkable concurrence—the fact of two or more events or circumstances happening or existing at the same time—of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection."

However, we often don't use the term exactly that way. The requirement of concurrence is often missing in the colloquial usage of "coincidence." We use it more often to mean "something that's not planned or arranged but seems like it is."

Keep ReadingShow less