How to vet for a toxic or dysfunctional workplace when job seeking?

[Anonymous]

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work for good supervisors and in good organizations. In fact, many were excellent. This year I took a job and, let's just say, my luck ran out. I ignored my gut instinct (my fault) but also got promises that didn't materialize. In addition, the broader office dynamics turned out to be unpleasant because of various personalities and rivalries. I need to find another job but am now gun shy and worried about making another bad move.

Anyone BTDT? What are some good ways to vet for red flags when job seeking, especially if you don't people at the organization? Also feel free to add your crazy supervisor stories because that will make me feel better.

[Anonymous]

I was thinking listen to your gut instinct before I saw what you wrote. Sounds like your luck didn't run out but you didn't listen to what you already knew. GL

[Anonymous]

And actually maybe you can tell us what the warning signs are that you ignored !

[Anonymous]

I took a job despite mixed reviews on Glassdoor, Indeed and other places. I left after 2 months bc it was exactly the hell hole described online. Luckily, my old job offered me a sweet deal to come back.

If there are just as many bad reviews as there are good, I would be concerned.

[Anonymous]

I've found Glassdoor reviews to be very helpful. It's a great sign to see positive patterns like supportive management, good pay, work-life balance etc. On the flip side, red flag phrases like toxic leadership, frequent layoffs, low morale, high turnover... run for the hills.

To a certain extent, you can also suss out subtle red flags in the interview. When it was my turn to ask questions in a county govt interview this Spring, I asked what characteristics would make for a stellar incumbent. They let it slip that the position required a heavily independent workload with little support and lots of "figuring things out." No thanks - I don't thrive in that kind of siloed environment. Didn't get the job anyway.

As for bad boss stories, I had one in what was an otherwise decent organization. Fed supervisor with a heavy NY accent who did no work except filing multiple EEO lawsuits. She would waste the days away talking to whoever she could corner, repeating the same stories over and over, including her "unencumbered" house on "Lawng Island." Then she would pause for emphasis and say, "You know what that means? No mortgage!" and cackle. She's since been reassigned into a corner, but still.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you. I don't trust my judgment anymore after this experience. I've starting the interview process at another organization and have reservations about them, but it might be that I'm now too risk-averse.

The red flags I ignored included clues that my supervisor had conflict with other departments and was very high strung. I focused too much on the positive and promises made.

[Anonymous]

Also: Aside from the comments on Glassdoor, what do you consider an unacceptable approval rating and score?

[Anonymous]

Take a look at the people in the office. Do they like engaged? Happy? Miserable? Get a feel for the hours. Is it a reasonable day with overtime on special projects? Or does the interviewer bring up days she works until 11:30?

[Anonymous]

Ask how the position came to be available.

I’m at a great workplace who actively tries to train up and promote people. I’m not bitter when they leave me and I’m glad for the employee. It’s reflected in how I speak about prior employees.

[Anonymous]

My mistake was asking to meet coworkers. They set up meetings with peer managers, not the people I would be supervising. The latter had some real duds, embittered passed-over trolls, etc. Toxic. I lasted 18 months before quitting from the stress.
I didn't realize what happened until I was there and understood structure better.