""One of the most recognised signs of a toxic workplace is when the hiring manager says something along the lines of the team being like a family," says Duris. "This might imply that you'll be expected to constantly go above and beyond and sacrifice your personal time." Duris adds that while some genuinely nurturing workplaces do use the "family" metaphor to describe a supportive culture, jobseekers should be cautious if it's paired with other warning signs - such as vague answers, long hours, or visible stress among employees."
"What 'we're like a family' can really mean Possible Green Flags Possible Red Flags: A supportive, inclusive culture Pressure to work overtime or "go the extra mile" without reward. Strong sense of belonging and team spirit Emotional manipulation disguised as loyalty. Genuine friendships between colleagues Favouritism, cliques, or blurred boundaries. Managers who offer personal support Pressure to put work above your personal life."
"Duris points out that there are many other interview red flags that can indicate poor management or a weak company culture. * Rude or dismissive behaviour: If the interviewer turns up late, interrupts you, or seems distracted, it's often a preview of how employees are treated internally."
The "we're like a family" claim can indicate expectations to constantly go above and beyond and to sacrifice personal time. Such language can mask pressure to work overtime, emotional manipulation disguised as loyalty, and blurred boundaries between personal and professional life. Green flags include a genuinely supportive, inclusive culture, strong team spirit, genuine friendships, and managers who offer personal support. Red flags include vague answers, long hours, visible employee stress, favouritism or cliques, and interviewers who are rude, dismissive, or evasive about job details. Job candidates should watch for combinations of these signals when evaluating opportunities.
Read at Business Matters
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