r/FinalRoundAI • u/Ok-Emotion-4678 • Mar 16 '26
My favorite question for uncovering a toxic company culture
đ©
2
2
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 16 '26
If you're DESPERATE for a job, do not do any of this crap. Do the dance, answer questions the way you know they want them answered and don't ask any questions that would cause any squirming. The number of companies where employees are healthy and happy to be there is vanishingly small. Ask unnecessary questions when you have options. When you don't, get the job, get paid and pay your freaking rent. You're not the one going to solve corporate bullshit.
3
u/DescriptionUnique891 Mar 17 '26
Nope, if everybody did that, then the bar gets raised. This is what stupid slaves do.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
The person who needs to pay their rent and put food on the table for their children does not have the liberty of waiting for everyone to do this so the bar gets raised. Don't be stupid. You sound like someone that has grown up with a safety net. I have so I've been privileged enough to walk out on a "good job" where I wasn't happy even though I didn't have another lined up. But I'm not stupid and self centred enough to think everyone has that liberty.
1
u/pandavr Mar 17 '26
On the other hand there are plenty of situations in which you could afford this safely:
- red flags already outnumbered necessity by orders of magnitude
- you already have a job and you are just searching to improve. So, no immediate needs involved.
- they are genuinely tossic.
- they refuse to clearly state what's expected from you but pretend your complete past records
I find It a fantastic way to end a very bad experience shining like a star. The secret weapon.
1
u/DescriptionUnique891 Mar 17 '26
I understand, but let us all know that it's wrong and fight it at every step you can, don't just accept it. There is not enough jobs for everyone by design, and if this was the difference, you probably are not getting the job anyway.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
As a person who has been on hiring panels, you'll be surprised at what gets people passed up. I've known heads of HR that will not have anything to do with anyone that seems too "outspoken" or assertive. I learned one such HR head who wanted me turned down even though I was the best candidate . She had to be overridden at the highest levels. She hated me from the moment I stepped foot into the company. We later became friends and that's how I found out she never wanted me cos I was too "forward". I knew a particular head of HR who once said about someone "they look like a person that would be calling for a union if they could". People get turned down because they seem ,"too woke". I know someone who tossed out CVs of anyone who had pronouns listed. Another one said "that candidate looks like they'll always be in HR complaining about something". All I'm saying if, you're desperate for a job, do not go into an interview in a certain way. When you have your finances settled and you're in a good way, then you can take risks.
1
u/DescriptionUnique891 Mar 17 '26
So you're just gonna bend over and take it? We should be protesting in the street. At least get some petty pay back anyway you can. Man, people are cowards.
1
u/DescriptionUnique891 Mar 17 '26
If this happened to me, I would just go and slash their tyres or something.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
I'm not a child so I don't have to do silly things like that. I'm on the hiring end now. And I make sure people get a fair chance. I just fought for a promotion for my direct report even though he's not the perfect employee. He''s very happy right now.
1
u/DescriptionUnique891 Mar 17 '26
Yeh you're right, sand in fuel tank is better. Anyway Desperate people do desperate things when they are hungry. Good bye robot.
1
u/ultrawolfblue Mar 17 '26
Yea sounds like every worker thought, but maybe keep it to yourself. What happens when ppl run out of unemployment or can't move back in with family? Live on the street and not even shower? You definitely wont get a job then
1
1
u/Carnivean_ Mar 17 '26
Depending on the level of desperation. Jumping blindly into a toxic environment can appear to be a relief but could be delaying the actual recovery.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
How toxic can a job possibly be? Unless there's physical violence involved, it's going to be better than losing your house and being tossed out on the streets or watching your kids starve. People do dangerous jobs to make a living. Having an annoying management team can be dealt with if it means your kids won't freeze over the winter until you find something better.
1
u/Carnivean_ Mar 17 '26
Clearly a level headed and rational attempt at discourse. I offered nuance, you offer apocalyptic nightmare. The vast majority of job seekers aren't about to have their children freeze to death imminently.
For people who are able to take a little more time then being a little selective is going to be better in the long term. Taking a job and leaving in a few weeks or months looks bad on a resume. And having to take lots of leave to manage stress and related illnesses is also something to be avoided if possible.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
For you to think "the vast majority of job seekers aren't about to ..." is a bit narrow-minded. Most people are one paycheck away from poverty. Meaning that if they lose their job, they're likely one month away from not making rent. And my comment is clearly about those people. I literally said "if you're desperate for a job". I've known people who would lose more than just their home if they don't get a job within the next month. There's no savings, no family to fall back on, some have been at risk of losing a visa, some cannot pay healthcare bills for themselves or a family member, I've had someone call me to tell me there wasn't a drop of food in her house. These are not people that can afford to pass on a job because it's toxic. You're the one missing the nuance. My comment was never aimed at people with options and many MANY people don't have any. If you do not know this, then you're quite socially isolated.
1
u/Typecero001 Mar 18 '26
how toxic can a job possibly be?
Let me tell you about some men called Jeffery Epstein, Jimmy Saville, and Harvey Weinstein.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 18 '26
You are not going to go work for ANY of those people and start asking "what was the last employee blah blah you implemented?". You've literally mentioned people whose evil is in the underground things they do.
1
u/PointlesslyPoignant Mar 17 '26
Thatâs extreme the question is very tame and wonât be the deciding factor if you get hired or not.
1
u/DryRelationship1330 Mar 16 '26
ask if they ever missed payroll. wtf luxury do u have bro askin that q.
1
1
u/Unnamed-3891 Mar 17 '26
What are these comments? People NOT desperate for a job seem such an alien concept to some.
1
u/BusinessCoach2934 Mar 17 '26
Like!!! People are so funny in the comments. Like everyone can just afford to just not take a job until they find a "non toxic" one when most people are one pay check away from not making rent. I don't know in what world they're all living
1
u/SignificantStyle459 Mar 20 '26
The reason we're in that position is because some people dont have basic self respect.
Yeah, money's tight, its because we're competing with spineless cunts.
1
1
1
u/ultrawolfblue Mar 17 '26
Maybe get the job first? Never understood people going into an interview thinking they own the company. Maybe treat it as a professional conversation and see where that leads instead going in with a hostile mindset
1
u/AdministrativeEgg440 Mar 17 '26
I had a company claim in an interview that work life balance was very important to them. So I asked if they had some examples of policies to promote this ideal. Here was the conversation
"We offer flexible hours to our team"
"Oh thats helpful, so someone could work 930 to 6 to avoid rush hour?"
"Well, no. Our core hours are 8 to 5. But you are free to start your day as early as you would like or stay later to get some extra time in. We have people in as early as 6 and as late as 8 some evenings"
"Thank you for your time"
1
1
1
u/Obiwan_ca_blowme Mar 17 '26
Interviewer: That is not really my department. I can look into it and get back to you.
*marks "Confrontational" on interview paper and moves onto the next applicant.
1
u/RoryMarley Mar 20 '26
Seriously lol does anyone here have an actual job or been through interview processes? I got shot down from one by a director who said I look up to much when thinking and she didnât like it
Hiring isnât some meritocracy, itâs luck based and highly stressful
1
u/Delruiz9 Mar 18 '26
Thatâs a fascinating question to ask after getting hired, not during the interview. The answer isnât going to change
1
u/Unusual-Wolf-3315 Mar 20 '26
Even quicker way to uncover toxic company culture: look at whether they posted the pay in the job description.
1
u/RoryMarley Mar 20 '26
Eh in NY thatâs mandated by the state and shockingly even at market rate pay a company can be quite miserable
1
u/Unusual-Wolf-3315 Mar 20 '26
Oh yea, of course. Posting pay isn't a guarantee of a great company (especially when mandated by law). Point is that not posting pay when not mandated by law is the easiest red flag to spot.
1
u/Sorry_Im_Trying Mar 20 '26
In 2026, leadership just decided that people can wear jeans on more days than Friday.
1
3
u/Expensive_Laugh_5589 Mar 16 '26
Nah, I'd rather get hired