We asked Undercover Recruiter about some potential red flags in the job application itself. “This is a tricky one, because what makes a workplace terrible for one person might make it a great place for someone else. For example, the phrases 'like a family', and 'highly social' suggest that it's the kind of company where they hold a weekly potluck, and a 'happy hour' after work every Friday.”

“Some people love that. For an introvert, though, that kind of place would be horrible. A lot of very formal, bureaucratic language in a job posting - more like a job description than an advertisement - suggests that the company is highly structured, with a lot of processes and procedures. That's great if you enjoy working in those kinds of environments. If you thrive with more flexibility, though, it's probably not somewhere you'll enjoy working.”

“Generally, though, there are a few things that almost always indicate problems. A really vague job description - one that leaves you wondering what the actual duties are - is a bad sign. When a company is hiring, they should have a very clear idea of what they want the person to do, and should be able to articulate that. Spelling and grammar mistakes aren't a good thing. It suggests disorganization and a lack of attention to detail, in a public-facing place where everything should be pretty much perfect. Lastly, I'd recommend avoiding a company that emphasizes 'future earning potential' over the current compensation. Even in a sales position where commissions are part of the package, an initial offer should still be competitive,” they added as something to be on the lookout for. 

Now, what about if you are already in a job, what might be some danger signs that it’s time to leave? “The big one to watch for, particularly at a time when we're (possibly) heading into a recession, is silence. If owners and managers begin having closed door meetings and hushed phone conversations, this can be a warning sign that the company is in financial trouble. This doesn't guarantee that your job is in jeopardy, of course, but this would be a good reason to at least keep your options open.”

“On a similar note, a lack of feedback at an individual level can be a warning sign that you're about to be let go. It might not be because of your job performance; the company might just be looking at cutting back in some areas. But if your manager seems to be avoiding you - giving you no feedback at all - it can be a sign that they're starting to cut ties. In that case, it's best to address it directly with your manager. To specifically ask for feedback on your performance, and 'read between the lines' for things you should be concerned about. Finally, a mass exodus at the management level is almost always a bad sign. If two, three, or more executives suddenly depart, and there's no good explanation for it, that's a good time to start brushing up your resume. People in management have the inside take on what's happening with the company. If they're leaving en masse, they probably know something you don't.”

Alan was kind enough to share some other details and tips for those either looking for a new job or planning to leave their current employer. “First, no matter how bad a workplace was, remember that in future interviews, it's best to avoid being too negative. Complaining about your previous managers, or the company as a whole, can come off the wrong way. You can mention issues, of course (nobody leaves a great job that they love, after all), just remember that you're best to temper those with some positive attributes about the job. Secondly, when you're looking for a job and worried about 'red flags', review sites like Glassdoor are great... when you use them correctly. Remember that disgruntled employees are more likely to leave a review than happy ones. So just because a company has negative reviews doesn't mean that it's necessarily a bad place to work. Instead of just looking for the number of good vs. bad reviews, read a bunch of them and look for themes. If there's a common thread - employees being expected to work consistently long hours, to be available all hours of the day, for example - you'll pick up on it.”

We also reached out to Nidhi Nagori, a career and finance expert to ask some more questions about bad workplaces. "The job description should not be very demanding. Candidates must match the job expectations with the pay being offered and the designation, and must analyze if the role is actually doable by one person. I've seen organizations dump too many responsibilities in one role, making it overwhelming for one person to perform. So always match the role against pay, doability, and seniority. If they are asking for too much, no matter what the pay on offer, it is not a good role because they are setting you up for failure," was what she recommended people look out for when assessing a potential job.

She also had some other tips for people job-searching. "As important as salary is, do not make your job about it. I have done it and suffered. Chase good people. Because good people attract growth, evolution, and money. This could mean people who can teach you, are invested in you, respect you, intellectually stimulate you, and make you believe in your career more each day."

We also asked her what might be some danger signs people should look out for while they are at a company. "If you are always looking forward to the weekend, have no interest in knowing how the top management is running the business, do not enjoy the company of your colleagues, feel extremely demotivated on Mondays, do not feel your supervisors are looking after your growth, do not align with the objectives of the organization - a mix of these is a good time to move out."