[#7-Insight] - Workplace red flags: the signs you shouldn't ignore 🫣

What's up in the workplace? 👀

Let me ask you this: do you really know how to spot the biggest office red flags? We’ve all been in questionnable work environments (wykyk). Way too often, even when there’s too many signs that scream toxic environment, we just ignore them. I know I’m going to get some backlash with this one but let me tell you: we need to have the RED FLAG TALK! ☝️

Management red flags (my fav) 🥸

🚩 "We're a family" 🙄

When managers frequently say, "we're a family", it often means that there’s serious underlying boundary issues. For the most part, it means that there’s an unrealistic expectation that the employees will prioritize work above ANYTHING else. Please run. Fast.

🚩 Meeting overload 👩‍💻

Too many meetings can be a major productivity killer. If your day is filled with back-to-back meetings with little time for actual work, it's a sign of poor time management and ineffective communication. Meetings should have a clear purpose, not a default mode of operation that disrupts the workflow. Bonus red flag points for coworkers that CANNOT get anything done without meetings.

🚩 Unclear objectives

When objectives are not clearly defined, employees are left guessing about their priorities and goals. It just starts with a “go with the flow” attitude. It almost seems cool. Then all of a sudden, everything becomes urgent (everything - just like that). With no clear goals and obviously no clear path to get there, things can get very messy very fast. We don’t like that ☝️

Office design red flags

🚩 The meeting room hell

If meeting rooms are always booked, it clearly shows a lack of proper planning and space management. It can lead to scheduling conflicts and employees can get pretty frustrated to be at the office (+1 for remote work!). Now that we know that, theres two ways to go about it: employers and workplace managers either do something about it or… they don’t. And if they don’t my friend, it’s a red flag.

🚩 Budget-driven office choices

This one is tough because I get where people come from. A lot of the time, companies try to save a few coins by getting cheaper offices. The only issue is that it ends up costing them a big chunk of money. I’m not sure how people still don’t believe that low quality offices can lead to demotivation and decreased productivity. I mean, who wants to work in a cramped, uncomfortable, and (very) uninspiring work environment? 🤔

🚩 Misleading flex office policies

I do believe that flex office can be a great thing to improve office use and office costs… when it’s done properly. But if in your company,"flex office" means you're constantly searching for a place to sit or you’re working in uncomfortable conditions, it's a red flag. It means that the company is prioritizing savings over employee well-being. Let me tell you a secret: flex office isn’t made to be painful. Ever 🤫

Company culture red flags

🚩 Greenwashing

We can’t keep enabling companies that are greenwashing champions. Is somebody going to say out loud that having a “zero paper policy” doesn’t mean anything if the only reason this policy exist is because you didn’t want to spend money on a printer? True environmental responsibility involves long term practices that go (waaay) beyond superficial measures.

🚩 High turnover

A high turnover rate is a clear indication of deeper issues within the company. While some level of turnover is normal, improving company culture requires introspection and investment in employee development and training to avoid losing talents. I can’t say this enough: when an employee quits, it's usually because of their manager 👀

Oh well, this was fun! Let me know your favorite red flag, I can’t get enough of this 👩‍💻

Nermine Kay - NK Consulting 🇫🇷 / NKay Consulting LLC 🇺🇸

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I'm Nermine Kay, a communication consultant specialized in the future of work!

Hit reply if you want to work with me on your communication strategy, LinkedIn branding and / or content creation!

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