A_AT0 toxic_AJ0 workplace_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 professional_AJ0 environment_NN1 that_DT0 's_VBZ dysfunctional_AJ0 ,_PUN stressful_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC unproductive_AJ0 ._SENT Maybe_AV0 the_AT0 boss_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 bully_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC the_AT0 company_NN1 culture_NN1 is_VBZ focused_VVN on_PRP winning_VVG at_PRP all_DT0 costs_NN2 ._SENT Or_CJC ,_PUN perhaps_AV0 your_DPS coworkers_NN2 are_VBB abusive_AJ0 ,_PUN inconsiderate_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC downright_AV0 mean_VVB ._SENT 
Note_VVB 
Whatever_DTQ the_AT0 underlying_AJ0 causes_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 work_NN1 environment_NN1 can_VM0 be_VBI hazardous_AJ0 to_PRP your_DPS physical_AJ0 and_CJC mental_AJ0 health_NN1 ,_PUN happiness_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC professional_AJ0 growth_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Centers_NN2 for_PRP Disease_NN1 Control_NN1 and_CJC Prevention_NN1 (_PUL CDC_NP0 )_PUR reports_VVZ that_CJT stress_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 leading_AJ0 health_NN1 problem_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 workplace_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 significant_AJ0 occupational_AJ0 health_NN1 risk.1_NN1 So_AV0 ,_PUN getting_VVG stuck_AJ0 in_PRP a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 workplace_NN1 for_PRP too_AV0 long_AJ0 can_VM0 certainly_AV0 take_VVI its_DPS toll_NN1 ,_PUN both_AV0 professionally_AV0 and_CJC personally_AV0 ._SENT 
Naturally_AV0 ,_PUN you_PNP 'd_VM0 prefer_VVI to_TO0 avoid_VVI taking_VVG a_AT0 job_NN1 in_PRP such_DT0 an_AT0 environment_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 challenge_NN1 is_VBZ that_CJT the_AT0 red_AJ0 flags_NN2 indicating_VVG a_AT0 dysfunctional_AJ0 organization_NN1 can_VM0 be_VBI subtle_AJ0 ,_PUN especially_AV0 during_PRP the_AT0 interview_NN1 process_NN1 ._SENT 
7_CRD Signs_NN2 of_PRF a_AT0 Toxic_AJ0 Workplace_NN1 
Like_PRP a_AT0 good_AJ0 first_ORD date_NN1 that_CJT turns_VVZ into_PRP a_AT0 nightmare_NN1 long-term_AJ0 relationship_NN1 ,_PUN problematic_AJ0 employers_NN2 can_VM0 talk_VVI a_AT0 good_AJ0 game_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB not_XX0 looking_VVG for_PRP the_AT0 right_AJ0 signs_NN2 ,_PUN you_PNP might_VM0 miss_VVI the_AT0 issues_NN2 until_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB already_AV0 on_PRP the_AT0 payroll_NN1 ._SENT Here_AV0 are_VBB some_DT0 signs_NN2 of_PRF a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 workplace_NN1 to_TO0 watch_VVI out_AVP for_PRP :_PUN 
1._CRD Peculiar_AJ0 Buzzwords_NN2 in_PRP Job_NN1 Listings_NN2 and_CJC Mission_NN1 Statements_NN2 
Learning_VVG how_AVQ to_TO0 decode_VVI job_NN1 advertisements_NN2 is_VBZ important_AJ0 for_PRP reasons_NN2 entirely_AV0 unrelated_AJ0 to_PRP impressing_VVG the_AT0 hiring_NN1 manager_NN1 with_PRP your_DPS resume_NN1 and_CJC cover_NN1 letter_NN1 ._SENT Once_CJS you_PNP understand_VVB what_DTQ the_AT0 various_AJ0 buzzwords_NN2 mean_VVB ,_PUN you_PNP 'll_VM0 have_VHI insight_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 company_NN1 's_POS culture_NN1 ,_PUN values_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC expectations_NN2 —_PUN all_DT0 of_PRF which_DTQ will_VM0 help_VVI you_PNP figure_VVI out_AVP whether_CJS you_PNP really_AV0 want_VVB to_TO0 work_VVI there_AV0 ._SENT 
A_AT0 few_DT0 years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN Textio_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 software_NN1 company_NN1 specializing_VVG in_PRP "_PUQ augmented_AJ0 writing_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ used_VVD its_DPS predictive_AJ0 engine_NN1 to_TO0 analyze_VVI common_AJ0 buzzwords_NN2 in_PRP job_NN1 advertisements_NN2 at_PRP 10_CRD major_AJ0 tech_NN1 employers_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 results_NN2 offered_VVD insight_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 corporate_AJ0 culture_NN1 within_PRP these_DT0 companies_NN2 ._SENT For_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN Amazon_NP0 's_POS common_AJ0 phrases_NN2 included_VVN "_PUQ fast-paced_AJ0 environment_NN1 "_PUQ and_CJC "_PUQ maniacal_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ while_CJS Slack_NN1 's_VBZ included_VVN "_PUQ lasting_AJ0 relationships_NN2 '_POS '_PUQ and_CJC "_PUQ care_NN1 deeply_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 2_CRD 
Divining_AJ0 toxicity_NN1 from_PRP buzzwords_NN2 is_VBZ far_AV0 from_PRP a_AT0 perfect_AJ0 science_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC you_PNP should_VM0 pay_VVI attention_NN1 to_PRP how_AVQ companies_NN2 talk_VVB about_PRP themselves_PNX in_PRP their_DPS job_NN1 listings_NN2 ,_PUN mission_NN1 statements_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC marketing_NN1 materials_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ worth_PRP knowing_VVG how_AVQ they_PNP see_VVB themselves_PNX because_CJS that_DT0 could_VM0 impact_NN1 how_AVQ the_AT0 organization_NN1 will_VM0 treat_VVI you_PNP ._SENT 
2._CRD Free_AJ0 Stuff_NN1 
When_AVQ is_VBZ an_AT0 employee_NN1 benefit_NN1 not_XX0 actually_AV0 to_PRP your_DPS benefit_NN1 ?_SENT When_CJS it_PNP 's_VBZ a_AT0 trap_NN1 ._SENT Free_AJ0 food_NN1 ,_PUN subsidized_AJ0 car_NN1 fare_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC video_NN1 games_NN2 and_CJC foosball_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 break_NN1 room_NN1 all_DT0 sound_NN1 great_AJ0 ._SENT But_CJC in_PRP reality_NN1 ,_PUN these_DT0 perks_NN2 are_VBB calculated_VVN to_TO0 do_VDI just_AV0 one_CRD thing_NN1 :_PUN keep_VVB you_PNP at_PRP the_AT0 office_NN1 ._SENT 
If_CJS companies_NN2 really_AV0 wanted_VVD to_TO0 make_VVI your_DPS life_NN1 better_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP 'd_VM0 pay_VVI you_PNP enough_AV0 to_TO0 buy_VVI your_DPS own_DT0 snacks_NN2 and_CJC toys_NN2 and_CJC then_AV0 let_VVB you_PNP go_VVB home_AV0 to_TO0 enjoy_VVI them_PNP ._SENT 
3._CRD A_AT0 Much_AV0 Younger_AJC Workforce_NN1 
Have_VHB you_PNP ever_AV0 interviewed_VVD at_PRP a_AT0 company_NN1 where_AVQ almost_AV0 everyone_PNI seems_VVZ to_TO0 be_VBI young_AJ0 —_PUN just_AV0 out_AVP of_PRF college_NN1 or_CJC the_AT0 equivalent_NN1 ?_SENT If_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB also_AV0 at_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 of_PRF your_DPS career_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 might_VM0 seem_VVI like_PRP a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF fun_NN1 ._SENT What_DTQ better_AJC way_NN1 to_TO0 make_VVI new_AJ0 friends_NN2 than_CJS to_TO0 work_VVI with_PRP people_NN0 your_DPS own_DT0 age_NN1 ?_SENT 
But_CJC there_EX0 are_VBB real_AJ0 downsides_NN2 to_PRP a_AT0 staff_NN0 that_CJT skews_VVZ young_AJ0 ,_PUN beyond_PRP just_AV0 the_AT0 problems_NN2 inherent_AJ0 in_PRP any_DT0 team_NN1 without_PRP diversity_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP one_CRD thing_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 company_NN1 that_CJT hires_VVZ mostly_AV0 young_AJ0 people_NN0 may_VM0 be_VBI looking_VVG for_PRP cost_NN1 savings_NN2 ._SENT Workers_NN2 with_PRP less_DT0 experience_NN1 are_VBB typically_AV0 paid_VVN less.3_CRD That_DT0 could_VM0 be_VBI bad_AJ0 news_NN1 when_CJS it_PNP comes_VVZ time_NN1 to_TO0 negotiate_VVI a_AT0 raise_NN1 ._SENT 
A_AT0 younger_AJC team_NN1 can_VM0 also_AV0 be_VBI a_AT0 sign_NN1 that_CJT an_AT0 employer_NN1 is_VBZ looking_VVG for_PRP workers_NN2 who_PNQ do_VDB n't_XX0 have_VHI a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF other_AJ0 competing_AJ0 priorities_NN2 —_PUN like_PRP kids_NN2 ,_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC aging_AJ0 parents_NN2 who_PNQ need_VVB care_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ bad_AJ0 enough_AV0 if_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB someone_PNI who_PNQ does_VDZ have_VHI those_DT0 priorities_NN2 ._SENT After_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN not_XX0 all_DT0 young_AJ0 people_NN0 are_VBB unencumbered_AJ0 with_PRP responsibilities_NN2 ._SENT But_CJC even_AV0 if_CJS you_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 ,_PUN you_PNP might_VM0 like_VVI to_TO0 have_VHI a_AT0 life_NN1 at_PRP some_DT0 point_NN1 ._SENT 
Note_VVB 
A_AT0 company_NN1 that_CJT seeks_VVZ employees_NN2 who_PNQ are_VBB always_AV0 available_AJ0 to_TO0 work_VVI might_VM0 not_XX0 be_VBI the_AT0 best_AJS fit_NN1 for_PRP you_PNP if_CJS you_PNP 'd_VM0 like_VVI to_TO0 travel_VVI ,_PUN or_CJC train_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 marathon_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC do_VDB anything_PNI that_CJT takes_VVZ a_AT0 substantial_AJ0 time_NN1 commitment_NN1 ._SENT 
4._CRD Employees_NN2 Who_PNQ Seem_VVB Tired_AJ0 ,_PUN Depressed_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC Anxious_AJ0 
If_CJS possible_AJ0 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ always_AV0 a_AT0 good_AJ0 idea_NN1 to_TO0 ask_VVI if_CJS you_PNP can_VM0 tour_VVI the_AT0 office_NN1 when_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB interviewing_VVG in_PRP person_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB interviewing_VVG remotely_AV0 ,_PUN try_VVB to_TO0 gauge_VVI the_AT0 attitude_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 people_NN0 you_PNP talk_VVB to_TO0 ._SENT 
When_CJS you_PNP do_VDB ,_PUN pay_VVB attention_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 vibe_NN1 you_PNP get_VVB from_PRP the_AT0 staff_NN0 ._SENT Do_VDB people_NN0 seem_VVB somewhat_AV0 bummed_VVN out_AVP ?_SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ possible_AJ0 that_CJT they_PNP 're_VBB drained_VVN from_PRP working_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 office_NN1 space_NN1 ._SENT After_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ hard_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI cheerful_AJ0 and_CJC engaging_AJ0 when_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB on_PRP the_AT0 verge_NN1 of_PRF burnout_NN1 ._SENT 
5._CRD Lots_PNI of_PRF Turnover_NN1 
When_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB doing_VDG your_DPS pre-interview_AJ0 research_NN1 ,_PUN read_VVB recent_AJ0 news_NN1 stories_NN2 about_PRP the_AT0 organization_NN1 and_CJC pay_NN1 attention_NN1 to_PRP signs_NN2 of_PRF management_NN1 turnover_NN1 ._SENT Check_NN1 sites_NN2 such_DT0 as_PRP Comparably_AV0 ,_PUN Glassdoor_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Indeed_AV0 that_CJT provide_VVB employer_NN1 reviews_NN2 to_TO0 get_VVI employee_NN1 feedback_NN1 on_PRP what_DTQ the_AT0 company_NN1 is_VBZ like_AJ0 to_TO0 work_VVI for_PRP ._SENT Then_AV0 ,_PUN look_VVB at_PRP your_DPS connections_NN2 on_PRP LinkedIn_NP0 ._SENT Do_VDB you_PNP have_VHI any_DT0 contacts_NN2 who_PNQ 've_VHB worked_VVN for_PRP the_AT0 company_NN1 ?_SENT If_CJS so_AV0 ,_PUN see_VVB if_CJS they_PNP tend_VVB to_TO0 stay_VVI for_PRP a_AT0 long_AJ0 time_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC bolt_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 new_AJ0 opportunity_NN1 as_CJS soon_AV0 as_CJS possible_AJ0 ._SENT A_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF turnover_NN1 can_VM0 be_VBI a_AT0 red_AJ0 flag_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 workplace_NN1 ._SENT 
Keep_VVB in_PRP mind_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 median_AJ0 employee_NN1 tenure_NN1 is_VBZ 4.1_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN according_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 Bureau_NN1 of_PRF Labor_NN1 Statistics_NN0 (_PUL BLS_NP0 )_PUR .4_CRD If_CJS you_PNP see_VVB lots_PNI of_PRF people_NN0 leaving_VVG in_PRP less_DT0 time_NN1 than_CJS that_DT0 ,_PUN consider_VVB what_DTQ that_DT0 might_VM0 mean_VVI about_PRP the_AT0 environment_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 organization_NN1 ._SENT 
6._CRD A_AT0 Prospective_AJ0 Boss_NN1 Who_PNQ Takes_VVZ Pride_NN1 in_PRP Being_VBG Difficult_AJ0 
Sometimes_AV0 ,_PUN hiring_VVG managers_NN2 will_VM0 take_VVI the_AT0 guesswork_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 interview_NN1 and_CJC flat_NN1 out_AVP tell_VVB you_PNP that_CJT they_PNP 're_VBB hard_AJ0 to_TO0 work_VVI for_PRP ._SENT "_PUQ I_PNP have_VHB high_AJ0 standards_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ they_PNP might_VM0 say_VVI ._SENT Or_CJC ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP expect_VVB the_AT0 best_AJS from_PRP myself_PNX and_CJC also_AV0 from_PRP my_DPS team_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
That_DT0 sounds_VVZ great_AJ0 ._SENT Who_PNQ would_VM0 n't_XX0 want_VVI to_TO0 work_VVI for_PRP a_AT0 leader_NN1 with_PRP high_AJ0 ideals_NN2 and_CJC big_AJ0 goals_NN2 ?_SENT But_CJC keep_VVB in_PRP mind_NN1 that_CJT when_CJS someone_PNI tells_VVZ you_PNP about_PRP their_DPS leadership_NN1 style_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP 're_VBB not_XX0 necessarily_AV0 a_AT0 reliable_AJ0 narrator_NN1 ._SENT Would_VM0 a_AT0 compassionate_AJ0 but_CJC principled_AJ0 leader_NN1 tell_VVB you_PNP that_CJT they_PNP expect_VVB the_AT0 best_AJS ?_SENT Probably_AV0 not_XX0 —_PUN they_PNP 'd_VM0 assume_VVI that_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 given_AJ0 ._SENT 
Note_VVB 
Evasive_AJ0 behavior_NN1 is_VBZ also_AV0 a_AT0 bad_AJ0 sign_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS hiring_VVG managers_NN2 or_CJC HR_NN0 folks_NN2 wo_VM0 n't_XX0 answer_VVI your_DPS questions_NN2 ,_PUN think_VVB twice_AV0 before_PRP accepting_VVG an_AT0 offer_NN1 ._SENT 
7._CRD Your_DPS Gut_NN1 Says_VVZ No_ITJ 
This_DT0 is_VBZ n't_XX0 a_AT0 science_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS it_PNP can_VM0 be_VBI hard_AJ0 to_TO0 tell_VVI for_PRP certain_AJ0 what_DTQ a_AT0 company_NN1 will_VM0 be_VBI like_AJ0 to_TO0 work_VVI for_PRP ._SENT Part_NN1 of_PRF interviewing_NN1 is_VBZ learning_VVG to_TO0 listen_VVI to_PRP your_DPS gut_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC when_CJS you_PNP hear_VVB one_CRD thing_NN1 and_CJC your_DPS instinct_NN1 says_VVZ another_DT0 ,_PUN listen_VVB to_PRP that_DT0 inner_AJ0 voice_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP might_VM0 be_VBI warning_VVG you_PNP to_TO0 stay_VVI away_AV0 from_PRP a_AT0 toxic_AJ0 workplace_NN1 ._SENT 
Even_AV0 a_AT0 Virtual_AJ0 Workplace_NN1 Can_VM0 Be_VBI Toxic_AJ0 
During_PRP the_AT0 COVID-19_AJ0 pandemic_AJ0 ,_PUN many_DT0 workers_NN2 whose_DTQ jobs_NN2 were_VBD compatible_AJ0 with_PRP telecommuting_NN1 went_VVD remote_AJ0 ._SENT Some_DT0 may_VM0 never_AV0 return_VVI to_PRP a_AT0 physical_AJ0 office_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC just_AV0 because_CJS a_AT0 workplace_NN1 is_VBZ virtual_AJ0 does_VDZ n't_XX0 mean_VVI that_CJT it_PNP 's_VBZ supportive_AJ0 ,_PUN healthy_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC productive_AJ0 ._SENT 
Here_AV0 are_VBB a_AT0 few_DT0 signs_NN2 that_CJT a_AT0 virtual_AJ0 workplace_NN1 is_VBZ toxic_AJ0 :_PUN 
Bullying_NN1 ,_PUN discrimination_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC other_AJ0 destructive_AJ0 behavior_NN1 ._SENT Whether_CJS the_AT0 problem_NN1 originates_VVZ from_PRP the_AT0 boss_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 staff_NN0 ,_PUN or_CJC the_AT0 client_NN1 base_NN1 ,_PUN environments_NN2 that_CJT support_VVB these_DT0 antagonistic_AJ0 behaviors_NN2 —_PUN conveyed_VVN in_PRP direct_AJ0 messages_NN2 or_CJC Zoom_NN1 meetings_NN2 ,_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 —_PUN can_VM0 be_VBI damaging_AJ0 to_PRP productivity_NN1 and_CJC engagement_NN1 ._SENT 
Poor_AJ0 communication_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS you_PNP work_VVB from_PRP home_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ essential_AJ0 to_TO0 get_VVI on_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 page_NN1 about_PRP work_NN1 priorities_NN2 ,_PUN expectations_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC goals_NN2 ._SENT 
Lack_NN1 of_PRF support_NN1 ._SENT Even_AV0 the_AT0 most_AV0 proactive_AJ0 go-getter_NN1 needs_VVZ guidance_NN1 now_AV0 and_CJC then_AV0 ._SENT If_CJS your_DPS manager_NN1 is_VBZ rarely_AV0 available_AJ0 and_CJC your_DPS team_NN1 is_VBZ hard_AJ0 to_TO0 pin_VVI down_AVP ,_PUN you_PNP 'll_VM0 find_VVI it_PNP difficult_AJ0 to_TO0 get_VVI anything_PNI done_VDN ._SENT 
