In the light of the current trending Topic #horrible bosses on social media, I would love to give my take on how to spot red flags at workplaces before or during job interviews from my perspective as a Lawyer and Human capital manager.

1.Superfluous and Vague Job Descriptions: Personally,writing a job description for a job advert is usually to attract someone who can perform those duties to the best of their given abilities and qualifications. But when a job description begins to mention buzzwords like "do you get angry or upset when you lose a simple game with friends? Hated being in any other position than First position? Competed with siblings and friends on everything growing up? Good!!! we want you as our sales executive. Send In your applications to......"
Now this sounds fun and really catchy but if you look at it thoroughly,it is a pointer of a toxic workplace some of the times. As vague as the job description sounds, that is how your work roles duties are bound to become on starting the job.
You want to apply for a job with a specified job description and possibly specific SOP on resumption to work.

2. The Interview is Riddled with an Unclear picture of the Job rolea nd Work Environment : I would keep saying this, an interview is the portal to see everything you would be doing in the prospective organisation. Infact, it is called an interview because the employer and prospective employee are looking to see if they would be a great fit for the organisation.
While interviewing, ask questions about the organisation; about their work culture, their salary structure and frequency, talk about rewards, pension and hmo, and even their employee turn over rate. Dont be shy, I like bold interviewees.
It is bad enough when the hiring manager cannot even explain the responsibilities of the role to you and when finally employed, you would find yourself being the Receptionist, Accountant, Cleaner, Security guard and then the main role you were employed for, Graphic designer and God help you, you find out the employer hires and fires at will.
However,I understand the employer may not be truthful as to the turnover rate in organizational work culture. So do yourself a favour and go on LinkedIn, twitter, Facebook or Glassdoor, hunt down former amd current employees and ask for honest feedback as to the employee turnover rate and work culture.

3. The Employment contract: I have an acquaintance that gets paid her monthly salary on the third week of the next month. I mean, it was written in her employment letter and she signed on it in desperation.
I would advise that when given an offer letter and an employment contract which you should have within 2 weeks of your employment, be read thoroughly or given to a lawyer to read through and explained to you. You would be surprised the kind of clauses and words that could and would alter an original agreement without an unlearned eye noticing it.
In your employment contract, these following terms should be contained with no exception but not expansively mentioned:
a) Terms and duties of your contract, with your exact Job title in bold.
b)Remuneration and benefits
c) Work hours in bold. If there is overtime, it should be written and if its paid or unpaid, it should also be written.
d) Leave and (maternity leaves for females)
e) Probation.
f) Termination and notice, make sure it has a notice period and a right to terminate from both parties with salary in lieu of notice and other compensation benefits.
e) Anti slavery and Sexual Assault policy.

Note: your contract can be negotiated and should be negotiable. And if it helps, mention to the hiring manager your desire to give your employment contract to your lawyer to look through. It helps notify the employer of legal cover. If you know what I mean.

4.Pray to whatever you believe,that you don't get employed by a demon boss and if you have already trapped, plan your exit and run for your life!!

I didn't want this to be a boring read, please everyone can input on red flags at Job places,or job interviews and how to avoid them?

BTW, I'm a corporate lawyer with experience in Corporate practice, contracts(real estate contracts, probate administration included) and Human Resource management. My dm is open for business only. Thank you.

This list doesn't cut it. Except for testimonies from past employees, there is no way you can know for sure.

No be you contest Miss Nairaland that year?

Nawa ooh.

Also, some employees are terrible

Bad work place environment is really bad for mental health. It leads to burnout, fatigue, tiredness and depression. It also kills morale and self-confidence.
This is why I advocate for everyone to seek financial independence through entrepreneurship.
This way, you can be in control and do things the way it pleases you.

There is nothing as good as self employment .
That’s why it’s good to have one or two skills while studying.
While I was growing up .
I use to think people learning skills are useless
Until my elder bro got employed with his sec school certificate one auto company in Porto novo
Now he’s working in France and he’s the manager of the so called company as I’m typing
Cashing out massively
Advice : make sure you learn a skill
You can do anyhow if you are
Your own boss .

When the office has a semi-formal setting...

You see subordinates running personal errands for their bosses e.g buying lunch, going to warm food for the bosses in the lunchroom, picking-up stuff for their bosses in their cars, etc

When I was in the bank, I had one "over toxic" boss then that would even send office cleaners to her house to sweep during weekends.

but most times its the experience most bosses had with past staff that makes them behave that way

You will know a lot by observing how he/she treats staff during your interviews.

mysticgal:
In the light of the current trending Topic #horrible bosses on social media, I would love to give my take on how to spot red flags at workplaces before or during job interviews from my perspective as a Lawyer and Human capital manager.

1.Superfluous and Vague Job Descriptions: Personally,writing a job description for a job advert is usually to attract someone who can perform those duties to the best of their given abilities and qualifications. But when a job description begins to mention buzzwords like "do you get angry or upset when you lose a simple game with friends? Hated being in any other position than First position? Competed with siblings and friends on everything growing up? Good!!! we want you as our sales executive. Send In your applications to......"
Now this sounds fun and really catchy but if you look at it thoroughly,it is a pointer of a toxic workplace some of the times. As vague as the job description sounds, that is how your work roles duties are bound to become on starting the job.
You want to apply for a job with a specified job description and possibly specific SOP on resumption to work.

2. The Interview is Riddled with an Unclear picture of the Job rolea nd Work Environment : I would keep saying this, an interview is the portal to see everything you would be doing in the prospective organisation. Infact, it is called an interview because the employer and prospective employee are looking to see if they would be a great fit for the organisation.
While interviewing, ask questions about the organisation; about their work culture, their salary structure and frequency, talk about rewards, pension and hmo, and even their employee turn over rate. Dont be shy, I like bold interviewees.
It is bad enough when the hiring manager cannot even explain the responsibilities of the role to you and when finally employed, you would find yourself being the Receptionist, Accountant, Cleaner, Security guard and then the main role you were employed for, Graphic designer and God help you, you find out the employer hires and fires at will.
However,I understand the employer may not be truthful as to the turnover rate in organizational work culture. So do yourself a favour and go on LinkedIn, twitter, Facebook or Glassdoor, hunt down former amd current employees and ask for honest feedback as to the employee turnover rate and work culture.

3. The Employment contract: I have an acquaintance that gets paid her monthly salary on the third week of the next month. I mean, it was written in her employment letter and she signed on it in desperation.
I would advise that when given an offer letter and an employment contract which you should have within 2 weeks of your employment, be read thoroughly or given to a lawyer to read through and explained to you. You would be surprised the kind of clauses and words that could and would alter an original agreement without an unlearned eye noticing it.
In your employment contract, these following terms should be contained with no exception but not expansively mentioned:
a) Terms and duties of your contract, with your exact Job title in bold.
b)Remuneration and benefits
c) Work hours in bold. If there is overtime, it should be written and if its paid or unpaid, it should also be written.
d) Leave and (maternity leaves for females)
e) Probation.
f) Termination and notice, make sure it has a notice period and a right to terminate from both parties with salary in lieu of notice and other compensation benefits.
e) Anti slavery and Sexual Assault policy.

Note: your contract can be negotiated and should be negotiable. And if it helps, mention to the hiring manager your desire to give your employment contract to your lawyer to look through. It helps notify the employer of legal cover. If you know what I mean.

4.Pray to whatever you believe,that you don't get employed by a demon boss and if you have already trapped, plan your exit and run for your life!!

I didn't want this to be a boring read, please everyone can input on red flags at Job places,or job interviews and how to avoid them?

BTW, I'm a corporate lawyer with experience in Corporate practice, contracts(real estate contracts, probate administration included) and Human Resource management. My dm is open for business only. Thank you.

This thread won't reach 7 pages....because it's not about nyash and relationship and seks....

ok

The best way to identify a toxic work place is to ask those working there.

After working under a toxic human being for 2 years, I didn't need anyone to ask me to investigate the new bosses.

Am here to read comments

Awesome read.

There was a time I got a job interview with a big firm. I was certain about getting the job because of the recommendation I had. When I got to the company, I was asked to wait at the security post. While sitted there, I saw a notice on the board that said all the staff are expected to attend the burial of the mother of the owner of the company. The notice directed all the unit head to take attendance and report to the management. The notice said that attendance is mandatory and their will be sanctions for those who fail to attend. Something lead to something and the interview was cancelled for that day. So I was asked to return two days after. Before I left, I went to see the man that recommended for the job. He told me that my unit head is a lady and that I shouldn't show that I know the work more than her. Accordung to him, if the Chairman notice I am experienced more than my senior, he will demote her and promote me. Thats how the chairman works, who ever gets the work done very well, leads the unit irrespective of your years of experience in the firm. That will bring problem for me because many staff use juju for and against people in that company. I asked him what happened to the person that was in that position before. He said the man was caught in a native doctor's place where he went to do juju against the chairman of the company. They reported him to the chairman and he sacked him. I asked the man, who caught him and what took the person that caught him to the native doctor? I asked the man why he didn't recommend his son who was also qualified for the Job. He said, after him, none of his family member will work there. He painted a picture of a toxic environment.

I didn't return again for the interview. Irrespective of the salary, that place would have been hell for me.

DontBullshitMe:
No be you contest Miss Nairaland that year?

Nawa ooh.

Always look at their shoes..

If they are wearing cheap shoes.
Be prepared for a battle.

Resumption immediately after interview

all this is story.

you think that Ebun's company does not have sound , well written policies on bullying, whistle blowing etc?

you think they dont have an HR department [by the way - HR is not your friend. the main role of HR is to PROTECT the company from employees]

as to workplace toxicity - people who do not work directly with Ebun may have different stories about him. to them he may just be the driven oga. CEOs fall into the seven professions mostly likely to have psychopaths. so in several other forums, EBun will be looking like a charming down to earth guy.

unless there is a major incident - you will be thoroughly shielded during your workplace interview from the actual corporate culture.

if anything you are more likely to be bowled over, esp if you're young at talking to some superstar ceo.

no be today? who remembers access bank it shall not be well with them ceo. dude was so petty, he actually had IT forensics guys track down just who shared that nasty email

emkz:
The best way to identify a toxic work place is to ask those working there.

After working under a toxic human being for 2 years, I didn't need anyone to ask me to investigate the new bosses.

this is it. and even then, some people still thrive there. so i would be wary about giving advise. there are people in that office that have completely jelled with that Ebun fellow and can work with him. they may even respond right back. Bleep you too man , butt heads and do power handshakes

DontBullshitMe:
No be you contest Miss Nairaland that year?

Nawa ooh.

She contest by herself?

Alwayshungry:
Always look at their shoes..

If they are wearing cheap shoes.
Be prepared for a battle.

In everything you do please read your offer letter thoroughly and make sure you understand every letter in ti. Especially when you want to switch jobs.

WetinIsabi:
This list doesn't cut it. Except for testimonies from past employees, there is no way you can know for sure.

You started well but as per testimonials, you may not have the luxury of such info.....no insider, new company in the country etc.

Let me tell you a story. Interviewed with one top Nigerian company. Was going well not until an expatriate decided to tell me what the organisational culture was like via his actions....rudly interrupting me, bragging about how impatient he is with my type,
even HR dropping some daft lines....omo! I am a professional well trained to withstand such pressure. I kept my cool and did my thing. Thankfully I picked up these red flags but played along.
Scaled through, did the second interview and something similar popped up.....casual cheap silly unprofessional talks!
Got the offer, according to overall HR(director, a nice guy) .....but nah at that stage of my career, I needed something better.
Great company to work for, good pay etc....but my mental health and well being is also important.
My point....job spec, description could be misleading.

GloriousGbola:
all this is story.

you think that Ebun's company does not have sound , well written policies on bullying, whistle blowing etc?

you think they dont have an HR department [by the way - HR is not your friend. the main role of HR is to PROTECT the company from employees]

as to workplace toxicity - people who do not work directly with Ebun may have different stories about him. to them he may just be the driven oga. CEOs fall into the seven professions mostly likely to have psychopaths. so in several other forums, EBun will be looking like a charming down to earth guy.

unless there is a major incident - you will be thoroughly shielded during your workplace interview from the actual corporate culture.

if anything you are more likely to be bowled over, esp if you're young at talking to some superstar ceo.

no be today? who remembers access bank it shall not be well with them ceo. dude was so petty, he actually had IT forensics guys track down just who shared that nasty email



this is it. and even then, some people still thrive there. so i would be wary about giving advise. there are people in that office that have completely jelled with that Ebun fellow and can work with him. they may even respond right back. Bleep you too man , butt heads and do power handshakes

Good insights especially on HR and people thriving in toxic places.

The OP gives a guide sha.

WetinIsabi:
This list doesn't cut it. Except for testimonies from past employees, there is no way you can know for sure.

Don't mind him

yeye. Nigerian federal civil servants wer no de go work sef de TALk.

You go hire dem for poultry them go tiff chicken and egg.

For building sites material go de miss.

We are our problem abeg.

Next.