How to Recognize a Toxic Employer — Start with the Job Description
As job seekers, we usually feel like we are at the whim of any employer that will hire us. Even when we see the warning signs that an employer may not be the best one for us, we convince ourselves of all the benefits and opportunities that the job may offer. Unfortunately, the truth is that ignoring our intuition usually puts us in the position of looking for another job within the first year. As millennials, we’ve been characterized as ‘job hoppers’ and have to work extra hard to show others that this stereotype is incorrect. However, when we find ourselves working for one toxic employer after another, we are forced to choose between worrying about a flawed label versus protecting our mental and physical health. In case you haven’t heard, workplace stress is a leading cause of death in the U.S.
It’s important to understand that contrary to what our parents taught us, what’s good for the goose is not always good for the gander. Don’t feel bad because you’re at your job hating every moment of it and feeling like you might have a breakdown, whereas your co-workers seem to be getting along just fine with little mental anguish — heck, they might even seem to like the job. Now, they could be just faking their way through it, or they could genuinely have a great balance with the role and love what they are doing. It’s important to know that whatever their truth is, none of that should matter to you. The only thing that truly matters is how YOU feel about the job and how it mentally or physically affects YOU. Everyone has different likes, dislikes, things that work well for them, and things that just don’t mesh with who they are or what they want. So, don’t feel like, “ugh, I should be able to handle this”. No, you shouldn’t — and you won’t, because it’s not for you and that’s okay. Just like the job that works for you and fits everything you’re looking for, probably wouldn’t work for them.
The job description written by every employer is usually an untruthful sales pitch. They want to make themselves seem like the best place to work so that they can attract the best candidates. However, once you get in the door — the story quickly changes, and within the first year you’ll be able to tell whether it is the place for you or not. Within the first 3 to 6 months, I usually know whether or not I’ll be looking for a new job. However, over time, I’ve learned to also identify a toxic workplace by the job description so that I can avoid it altogether.
Sometimes we have personal situations that make a toxic job unavoidable because we need the job to pay our bills at that particular moment. However, knowing beforehand what we’ll be really walking into, beyond the fairy tale painted by the job description, can help us put on our armor and gear up for the ride until we find our next job. There are key words and phrases that employers use in job descriptions that will help you read through the fluff and see through to the true toxicity.
If you see these words or phrases in a job description, it is likely a toxic workplace.
1. “Fast paced”
Fast paced usually means that the work is never ending. This term is not used to describe your ability, but rather the urgency that you will have to work with every day. In other words, calm moments at work will be a rarity. Before you know it, you’ll be living with daily anxiety.
2. “Flexibility or the candidate needs to be flexible”
Don’t be fooled by this one. This does not mean the employer will be flexible for you or with your schedule — but rather, they want you to be able to drop everything for them at a moment’s notice. More than likely, they will not reciprocate the flexibility with you. Even if you skip every lunch, or work late every night, you’ll probably face push-back in those moments when you need a day off or have a personal obligation.
3. “Available after-hours or on nights and weekends”
You will never have a day off and will be worked to the bone like you’re on a chain gang. You’ll never have a moment where you can truly relax because you are expected to be available 24/7, with no exceptions.
4. “Works well under pressure”
This means that every day there will be a “fire drill” or some work ‘emergency’ that will leave your heart palpitating where it feels like it may just beat out of your chest. It is also a clue that there will be some heavy politics that impact how you are able to do your job. You may also get pushed under the bus quite a few times because of those politics.
5. “Conflicting or competing timelines”
You’ll get a workload that is almost impossible for one person to do. This will also change on a dime — and you’ll get last minute ‘urgent’ requests that must be done, with the expectation that you’ll still need to complete the other work you have to do that day. Not only will you be expected to meet unrealistic deadlines or workload expectations, but you’ll have to compromise any semblance of a work life balance to get it done.
6. “Results driven”
No matter how hard you work, if the results aren’t what they want, then you’ll be found at fault. Even if your job is only to execute the flawed strategy that someone else created, you’ll still be at fault. They may also move the goal posts after you’ve already executed a plan, or they may change what they consider to be a success — and then you’ll be blamed for not hitting the mark, even though the original goal was something different. This also means that workplace politics will be rampant, and you’ll be pushed hard to make sure your boss looks good to senior leadership.
7. “Main point of contact”
You will never have a break. It’ll be like that episode of ‘Family Guy’ where Stewie says “Mommy, Mom, Ma, Momma” multiple times until Lois screams “WHAT!?”. You’ll be pulled in multiple directions and everyone will want you for something. In fact, you’ll probably end up taking on the responsibilities that belong to others because even if the task is not part of your job, you’re still held responsible.
8. “Work hard, play hard”
This just means you will be treated like an indentured servant. Ignore the ‘play’ part. That is a way to manipulate you into thinking that there is some pot of gold waiting for you at the end of a rainbow after you’ve worked yourself into the ground. You’ll work so hard that you may likely experience negative mental and physical effects from it. Avoid any job that says this, at all costs.
9. “Able to travel on short notice”
This means that your time is not your own. The employer expects you to pick up and leave at any moment they want you to. For some, they can do this if they don’t have the responsibilities of children, pets, or being a caretaker. However, even if you don’t have those responsibilities, why should someone be able to control your life that way? A job that says this is really telling you that you will be expected to cancel any and all plans that you may have — even if you made them months in advance — because they want you to do something that will make them more money. Meanwhile, your paycheck stays the same.
There are many more phrases and key words that are used, but these are some of the most frequent ones. If the job description looks like a short novel, then that is also a clear indication that the place will be toxic because they’ve crammed multiple jobs into one. You’ve probably seen these terms so many times in job descriptions that you’ve become accustomed to them and may even see them as normal. However, the truth is, these usually indicate that you will probably end up overworked, miserable, and wanting to quit within the first year.
Jessica Israel, MBA is a photographer, actress, poet, and writer redefining what it is to be an artist. She is also a marketing communications and creative consultant who advocates for equality, diversity, inclusion, and positive work life balance.
Please visit http://jessicaisraelmba.weebly.com/ to view her portfolio and blog on artistry.
If you liked this article, please don’t forget to click the “clapping” hands below!
