Looking for a new job (how do I find a healthy workplace?)

[JollyJazz]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a new job, and I want to find a healthy workplace. I've been bullied in the past and I was wondering if anyone knows of any red flags to watch out for, as well as green flags during the interview process. Another thing I thought of is asking around for the reputation of the organisation/company beforehand.

I know its hard to tell early on, I just want to try and minimise the chance of being in another bad environment! Any thoughts or advice on this topic are welcome

[11JB68]

Watch out for lots of turnover. If they are constantly looking for new people something may be amiss.

[Drawing_boundaries]

Agree turn over is a huge indicator. I am in a very healthy work environment (compared to what I hear other people talk about) and mostly the work force is older with many people having between 15-30 years in the company.

I would also ask to meet your co-workers/team members before formally accepting the job to get a feel for the situation. I know that one persons happy place is another persons hell. I wish you all the best of luck!

[clara]

I also agree that turnover is possibly one of the biggest (and most reliable) indicators that an employer is toxic.  When you're in the interview process, everyone is giving you their best face, so it can be hard to see anything subtle.  One thing you might also do is ask for a walk-through to where you'll be working.  Some employers don't want you to see the actual work space or the people around it.  If they haven't volunteered to do so and balk when you ask, that's a red flag.  When my last place of employment turned toxic, is was reflected in those two things:  a sudden high rate of turnover (where in the past we'd been very stable) and my new manager not wanting the people she was interviewing to see where they'd actually be working.  She would even escort them past the front door and take them around to a back door to her office for the interview.  Even she seemed aware of the toxic atmosphere of the place, and she (and a couple of her flying monkeys) were the ones causing it!

Also, be aware of whether or not they're trying to go on a "fishing" expedition during the interview process.  A lot of employers will try to find out personal information about you, things that have nothing to do with the job, as a way of gauging your reliability etc.  There's nothing overtly wrong with that, since the employer also knows you're putting on your best face, but toxic ones will go a little bit over the line to the point of making you feel uncomfortable.  It will only get worse if they hire you.  Trust your gut!

[JollyJazz]

Hi 11JB68, Drawing_boundaries and Clara,

Thanks for these good tips.
Yes the turn over one is a good one! It's important to watch out for too, because it means that more jobs are coming up regularly from those places... The 'fishing' expedition is an interesting and important point. I had a horrid boss who was very intrusive about people's personal lives, I think this is the sort of thing it's connected to. Not respecting boundaries/controlling behaviour.

The actual workspace one is interesting. I have a few networks, so that's a useful tool for putting feelers out for people that know someone who knows someone who works someplace.

Thanks all!