5 Signs a Company is Good to Work For, and 3 Signs They’re Not

Landing the office job of your dreams starts with finding the right company to work for. When you find the perfect employer it’s like finding a spouse. The relationship is mutually beneficial, enjoyable and you can grow together.

But finding a highly compatible company isn’t always easy. On paper, a company may seem like the ideal employer, but you can’t be sure until you go in for an interview. Here are five signs a company is a good to work for and three signs you should keep considering your job options.

Quality Breakroom Amenities

The breakroom is where you’ll see how much an employer invests in employee happiness. Studies have found food and beverages are a quick way to boost workplace satisfaction.

Take a tour around the breakroom. Are the coffee services on par with a café? Is there a selection of healthy snacks? Are employees encouraged to partake? If the answer to those questions is “yes,” it’s a sign of a company with great employer/employee relations.

Comfortable Desks

What the desk situation like? Your desk is your workstation. How the desks are set up and your ability to customize things can have a real impact on your performance. Good companies understand this and they account for it in the office layout.

The desk chairs are another thing to consider. Sitting for hours on end is very adverse to people’s health. Basically, sitting is the new smoking. New studies have found that even if you exercise sitting for long periods is a risk factor for early death. Look for ergonomic chairs and convertible desks that allow for sitting or standing.

Good Vibe in the Office

If you get a good vibe while you’re at the office that’s a great sign. It’s your gut instinct kicking in based off of what your senses are telling you. The office is well-equipped, the people are friendly, everyone is working away – and most importantly you seem to fit in naturally.

Good vibes are a sign of a good company.

Low Turnover

If a company rarely has an opening available that’s a sign employees stick around for the long haul. Low turnover is an indication that employees are engaged and invested in their work. Chances are good that employees enjoy working at the company or they would have looked for better options long ago.

Flexible Work Schedule

Companies that offer employees a flexible work schedule understand that having more control makes employees happy and more productive. It’s also an indication that the company is results driven rather than focusing on how many hours you clock in at the office.

Keep in mind flexible work schedules are a benefit that may not be offered right off the bat. Some employers reserve the benefit for employees that have proven they don’t need micromanagement.

Keep Job Searching If . . .

Even if there are signs a company can be a good place to work, there may also be red flags that cause hesitation. Watch out for these three signs.

The Office Environment Isn’t Welcoming

If you feel like the communication is lacking or you get the cold shoulder during the interview run, don’t walk, the other way. No job is worth coming to work every day and not feeling welcome. The stress and unhappiness of working in an office with tension will impact productivity. It’s also not the type of environment where people do their best work.

Division Between the Ranks

If there’s a clear hierarchy at the office and little interaction among people of different pay grades pass up the job. In companies where status, title, and pay dictate workflow and communication the office isn’t a collective. These organizations tend to be less enjoyable and more bureaucratic.

The Job Role is Unclear

During the interview, if you don’t have a clear sense of what the job role entails and what will be expected of you this is a sign the employer doesn’t have a clear game plan. When you can’t define how success is measured it’s hard to set goals and receive direction that makes it easier to obtain them.