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When job hunting, many of us are willing to do just about anything to get hired. But in the process, we tend to forget that it’s not just companies interviewing us—we’re also interviewing them. That’s why, when we get the chance, we need to think twice before accepting the final offer.

To help with that, one man on Threads asked people to share the first signs that a job is going to be toxic. Check out some of their best advice below, and if you’ve got any wisdom to add, drop it in the comments!

#1

Employee stressed at desk, illustrating toxic workplace red flags. “We wear many hats here” means you’ll be doing two or three jobs for the price of one

rileslynch , Mikhail Nilov/Pexels Report

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Mike F
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And getting credited for next to nothing when things go right but they warm up a corner of he££ for you if you miss dotting an i or crossing a t.

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    #2

    Person in a red blazer working on a laptop at a café table, highlighting potential toxic workplace red flags. No respect for breaks. Expects you to work through lunch.

    lv2danze , Marcus Aurelius/Pexels Report

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    Armac
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m entitled to my breaks, they are legal requirements, I’m taking them.

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    #3

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace When the manager makes excuses for the coworker's laziness. They favor the lazy coworker and punish the hard worker with more work.

    lilac.purple.rose , Yan Krukau/Pexels Report

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    JSD
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Usually the lazy co-worker is friends with the manager.

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    Bored Panda reached out to Country, the poster behind the viral Threads question, to find out what inspired him to ask it.

    As an award-winning event manager, multicultural marketer, and digital creator, he’s spent his career bridging culture, conversation, and brand storytelling—so he’s seen it all.

    “I’ve worked entry-level jobs in fast food, retail, and call centers, and now I manage marketing campaigns for brands like the Super Bowl, Oprah Winfrey, and the FDA’s Fresh Empire initiative,” he told us. “I’ve seen both sides, from struggling to get a lunch break to leading teams on multimillion-dollar projects. I wanted to start a conversation that let people share their experiences and recognize the warning signs of a toxic job before they get stuck in one.”

    #4

    Two women discussing documents in a potentially toxic workplace setting at a desk. They tell you don’t talk about pay

    miyzaplug , Mikhail Nilov/Pexels Report

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    Miki
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then talking about that will be my main topic on day 1.

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    #5

    Two women in a workplace discussing over a tablet and a notebook, illustrating signs of a toxic workplace environment. Your boss is the owner’s child.

    melissaboufounos , Antoni Shkraba/Pexels Report

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    #6

    Man in white shirt looking at phone by a window, representing workplace red flags. When the manager texts the entire group about a mistake you did instead of just directly messaging you

    dreamingofwater_ , Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels Report

    #7

    Person in an office meeting, showing potential signs of a toxic workplace environment. When there are more than 3 interview stages. Worked for the companies like that. Company culture was always toxic.

    wodza , Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels Report

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Especially when it’s a minor job paying very little. I can see more than one interview for an important executive position. I want a new CEO to be thoroughly vetted. But a new cashier making minimum wage? Come the f**k on, people. One interview (with only one experienced interviewer who is great at reading people, instead of multiple interviewers who don’t know what they’re doing) that goes well, plus a good background check should be enough.

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    #8

    Three people in a discussion around a laptop, potentially highlighting signs of a toxic workplace environment. when you start your first day and realize…almost every one just started working there. it’s giving high turnover

    yasminecheyenne , Mikhail Nilov/Pexels Report

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    #9

    Man in professional attire discussing workplace red flags. “We’re like a close knit family here.”

    thenutritiontea , Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels Report

    #10

    People smiling and shaking hands in an office, potentially masking toxic workplace red flags. When people constantly talk sh*t behind peoples back and then being fake to them 😭

    raylivez , fauxels/Pexels Report

    #11

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace When there is no professionalism, a lot of gossip, and also the managers never care about u as a human and only the customers matter

    mrhm_2002 , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

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    #12

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace Higher ups playing favorites ( managers/ supervisors )

    xmo_pris , Mimi Thian Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's bad where I work. Some people get away with everything. Others get written up for nothing.

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    #13

    Man in white shirt checking watch, seated with laptop; potential workplace toxic red flag. They are late to the interview they set up. Immediately no

    omgfrenchie , Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels Report

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is the window of grace they extend to an employee if they say oversleep? If it becomes a problem at 15 minutes, that's the grace they received, then I left.

    #14

    A woman in glasses works on a laptop at a desk, highlighting workplace elements and potential red flags. When the post asks for a “rockstar” “ninja” or “unicorn”

    betaraybecca , Startup Stock Photos/Pexels Report

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    Orysha
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just go to the job with a horn, wearing a ninja suit and playing the guitar.

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    #15

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace A clearly s**t manager from the word go who contacts you at 7pm at night asking you to do something you’ve never done before and insists they have it first thing in the morning, then chastises you for not knowing the process of the task they have assigned.

    village_goth , Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels Report

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    #16

    Woman eating salad at desk, looking concerned, with laptop and coworker in background, illustrating a toxic workplace. weekly working lunches.
    every single time i’ve worked at a place like this, the leadership had NO boundaries

    yasminecheyenne , Kaboompics.com/Pexels Report

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. Sorry, "I have to go pick up my lunch" then eat it in the car.

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    #17

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace When orientation or onboarding isn’t planned out properly. This happened at my current job that should’ve been a red flag 🚩 to me 7 months ago. However, I will be leaving tomorrow. Last day thank goodness 😅

    momdukes.720 , The Jopwell Collection Report

    #18

    Person sitting in a dimly lit office, focused on a bright laptop, depicting a potentially toxic workplace environment. Getting PTO approved requires you to jump through any hoop

    khurl__ , cottonbro studio/Pexels Report

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    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the good things about my last gig before retirement. I called a couple separate times on different PTO requests to ensure I could make reservations for my PTO. "Did you put down what days?".."Yes"..."You get it then"

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    #19

    Two women in casual meeting, discussing workplace toxicity signs. As soon as your manager talks negatively about one of your teammates in your department, it's over.

    griffyyyy , fauxels/Pexels Report

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would depend on your definition of talking negatively. If there's a problem with a teammate's production or accuracy, then it would not be out of the ordinary to discuss with another team member. But, if the manager starts talking 💩 about another's personal life or choices, that's a problem.

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    #20

    Woman in a red shirt appearing stressed at a desk, illustrating toxic workplace red flags. When the tagline says that they’re looking for highly motivated self starters.. aka we won’t help you / train you properly so you better be able to think quickly on your feet

    thegenericversion , Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels Report

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Be ready to hit the ground running", it's the worst. You don't even know where the time clock is.

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    #21

    A person eating penne pasta with olives and mint garnish inside a car. People eating lunch in their cars. It usually means they can’t eat in peace without being interrupted for work.

    adamsunnyflanders , مازن المزروعي/Pexels Report

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    john doe
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always eat lunch in my car because I just want to get out of the building

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    #22

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace When the manager starts texting you, pretending to be a friend the first two weeks.
    ITS A SETUP. RUN. WHEN. THIS. HAPPENS.

    _onefootinthegrave , Kaboompics.com/Pexels Report

    #23

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace Bait & switch. They called you in for a social media management position but then say we don't do that here - this job is direct sales.

    christinacastscharacters , Getty Images Report

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    #25

    Woman in office setting, looking concerned, highlighting toxic workplace dynamics. Majority of employees are rude / unwelcoming

    davalos_j007 , Kindel Media/Pexels Report

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    #26

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace Being given a "new" manager on your first day because the one who hired you quit.

    honeygirl931 , Getty Images Report

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    #27

    Stressed employee at cluttered desk, holding head in hands, showing signs of a toxic workplace. 1.the bosses favors the obviously bad employees who can't work independently and try to pass their job responsibility to you
    2. The Managers & Executive Secretaries can't construct a simple business letters
    3. Micro managing
    4. They appoint people who are unqualified for the job
    5. The Human Resources department are gaslighters and always condescending
    6. When they are related to each other

    rosannarocessssssssssssbombaaa , Mizuno K/Pexels Report

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    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When the managers try to play psycho-analyst and proceed to tell you who you are, what you're feeling and how to change yourself. Then tell you everything that's bad about yourself. Then when you break down they try to lift up your confidence again. Absolute mindfuck.

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    #28

    Employee packing personal items into a box, a sign of a toxic workplace environment. When the person training you leaves after a week lmao

    littlemissviolin53 , Anna Shvets/Pexels Report

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    #29

    Two employees with headsets working at laptops, possibly indicating a toxic workplace environment. People not saying greetings to each other at the start of the day.

    ft.aroojfatima , Mikhail Nilov/Pexels Report

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    Ace
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a cultural thing. In some countries like France it can get taken to extremes with a need for everyone to individually greet (with a handshake or a kiss) everybody else in the office every single morning.

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    #30

    30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace maga bumper stickers throughout the parking lot

    notorious_702_ , okaywithgray Report

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    Cammy Mack
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Any politics. "This politician is bad" or "this politician is good"; c'mon you bunch of sheep. They don't care about us.

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    Note: this post originally had 86 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What is the most important factor to consider before accepting a job offer?

    Company culture

    Salary and benefits

    Career growth opportunities

    Work-life balance