Tuesday, December 30, 2008

In case your new year's resolution involves finding a new job

It just wouldn't be Christmas around here without my son getting The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. As resolutions are pondered, bringing many of you to the realization that it's time to find a new job, I thought you should know the warning signs of a horrible workplace. As Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht point out, here are some ways to identify a terrible company.
1. Interview at the beginning or end of the day. This way you can see how people really act at work. Are they slow getting to work, or working late into the night?
2. Examine the bathrooms. The overall cleanliness of a company can say a lot about how they treat their employees.
3. Monitor the air quality. I always survey a company's site to see if hazards are kept to a minimum, safety equipment is provided and in use, and that things look safe for the employees. If it doesn't, you won't be safe there. Your job or your life, you decide.
4. Look for signs of a troubled workplace. If you notice everyone is glum at the company, morale is probably pretty low. If you notice the secretary is trying to find a pawnshop for the owner's diamond ring, payroll might be an issue. Keep an eye out for how people act, and how the environment is. Little clues could help you avoid a bad company early on.
5. Evaluate. Does this place look like a good place to work?

Happy New Year!

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