3 ways to spot a toxic workplace before taking the job
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- A career coach shared how to spot a potentially toxic workplace before accepting a job there.
- Laura Leuillier describes three common signs visible during the recruitment stage.
- She listed specific questions you could ask to learn as much as possible about an office's culture.
From narcissistic bosses to sabotaging co-workers, problems at work can make your everyday life difficult.
Laura Leuillier, a career coach, shared three signs a workplace might be toxic you can spot before you accept a job there.
1. A high staff turnover
If people are quick to leave a company, it could be a sign of problems, Leuillier said.
She suggested searching LinkedIn to figure out how long its employees typically stay in their roles at the company.
She said asking employees in your prospective team could be helpful, as could exploring comments about a company on Glassdoor. On Glassdoor, keep an eye out for negative comments that are repeated in different employees' reviews, she advised.
2. The hiring manager doesn't let you speak during the interview
Interviewees should be allowed to feel comfortable and showcase their skills but feel "healthily challenged," Leuillier said.
But she added that if the hiring manager doesn't allow you to speak or appears indifferent to what you say, that can be a sign they'll be difficult to work with.
"If you feel like they're not really listening to your answers and don't have time to ask questions that you need to, then that is a serious red flag," she added.
She added that if they start badmouthing other employees in the interview or seem overly defensive, that's also a bad sign.
3. They answer your questions defensively or with buzzwords
To learn a lot about a company's culture during an interview, Leuillier suggested asking your potential boss about the type of employee that thrives in the company, who they work best with, how they like to communicate, and how often.
"If they freeze up and get defensive or offended by those questions, that is a red flag. They should be welcoming," Leuillier said.
Certain buzzwords can reveal that a company has a negative culture, she said. Saying "work hard, play hard" could mean they don't prioritize work-life balance, Leuillier added.
She said that all of her clients who have had a "bad feeling" during the interview but accepted the position have gone to have problems in that workplace.
If you get a job at a toxic workplace, Leuillier said, "chances are, you'll be back on the job market in six to 12 months."