5 Signs Of A Toxic Work Environment You Can Know During An Interview

Illustration (Yan Krukov/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Recent research shows that being in a toxic work environment is the main reason employees choose to quit their jobs during the pandemic. Researchers define a toxic work culture as an environment where unethical behavior is rampant, employees feel unappreciated for performance, and bullying occurs.

Obviously, a toxic work environment can make your days worse. That's when you go to work every day filled with dread about dealing with coworkers who like to belittle and stab you in the back.

For the sake of one's own peace of mind, a toxic work environment must be avoided at all costs. But is it possible to avoid this work environment before you get hired? Yes, it's possible. You can see signs of toxic people in the work environment during a job interview. Here's what to watch out for, launches Huffpost, Wednesday, February 9th.

The interviewer badmouths people in your previous position or people you will be working with. How a person treats others when they are not in the room says a lot about how they will someday treat you. One way to find out if this could be a problem is to ask what happened to the person who previously held your job.

According to Donna Ballman, a Florida-based employment attorney and author of 'Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards', explains “If they vilify employees, then this can so a bad sign. If you are in your new position as a supervisor, find out how many workers are on the team, how they are performing, and ask questions about their duties. If they are badmouthing your team, then it's best to immediately stop working on it."

(Yan Krukov/Pexels)

Hiring managers don't want you to talk to other people on the team. In a healthy work environment, employees are free to be honest about what it's like to work there. But in a toxic work environment, bosses tightly control how employees communicate, even to potential new hires.

If hiring managers are hesitant or unwilling to connect you with others on your team, it signals a toxic workplace, says Laura Gallaher, organizational psychologist at consulting firm Gallaher Edge.

"This is a sign that they don't trust their employees, which can create a grueling work environment," says Gallaher. “If leaders don't trust their people, they tend to regulate employees, create rigid policies, and limit input.”

Gallaher said it could also suggest that there is an unhealthy power dynamic between managers and other employees.

"If they think of the entire interview process as a one-way street - 'I'm recruiting, so I have all the voices here' - they will behave similarly in the leader-employee dynamic," he says. "In a healthy workplace, 'because I'm the boss' is not an expression to use."

The interviewer refused to acknowledge the company's shortcomings. No job is perfect. But in a toxic work environment, managers don't want to admit any flaws in their company. If your interviewer won't be honest about your team or organization's weaknesses, that's a red flag, says Gallaher.

“A healthy workplace has enough psychological security so it's okay to be honest. If leaders give the impression of being 'perfect' on everything, it creates a belief that others are meant to do the same," said Gallaher.

“Then people start hiding mistakes, pretending to understand things when they really don't, and blaming others when things go wrong. This toxic behavior will drain people's lives and energy," said Gallaher.

(Yan Krukov/Pexels)

The recruiter does not provide an employment contract when requested. A job interview is a long awaited moment to get clarity on job expectations. If the hiring manager or recruiter refuses to answer questions about the employment agreement, this is a red flag. According to Ballman, prospective workers need to ask questions during the interview process regarding the initial signing of the employment agreement.

“If they say yes, ask for a copy so you can review it before signing. If they refuse, they may be hiding something," Ballman said.

Every worker has a bad mood. One of the more subtle indications of a toxic work environment is the work atmosphere. Ballman recommends closely observing how employees interact with one another.

“How were you greeted? Do the people who work there look happy? Or do they avoid eye contact with you? Did anyone scream? Are people chatting in the break room, or are they rushing in and out quickly?” Gallaher said. “The atmosphere there can give you a clue about the workplace.”

Wasting time and energy on interviews that don't ultimately lead to a new job is painful. But it is better to follow instincts and leave the job than to be trapped in a toxic work environment that slowly drains the peace and happiness of life.