Hey all!
Lately I have been posting a series of discussion questions to prompt some talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the workplace.
This week, I wanted to discuss finding a job that makes you feel safe and supported.
So, when it comes to finding a job that aligns with your values and prioritizes a safe working environment, what are some red flags you look out for? What are some green flags?
Join the conversation below and share your tips for identifying organizations that genuinely care about fostering a safe space for their employees.
Have a great rest of your day y'all and happy coding!
Top comments (7)
The hiring literature will tell you to ask a behavioral interview question.
Something like:
Being a white dude, I'm not the most qualified to tell you the exact question, but try to:
Don't be afraid to polarize, it's better to work with one good boss than with ten bad ones.
Hiring is a two way street and if companies can ask you this kind of questions to address their concerns, then you too can ask your questions to address your concerns.
One early signal you can look for is the optional DEI questions that are asked during the application process. I wouldn't necessarily take the absence of these questions as a bad signal, but it would encourage me to follow-up at a later stage of the interview process if they were absent.
Yes to this!
I have definitely noticed that the jobs that tend to ask for pronouns upfront tend to be more friendly workplaces for me and other trans/nonbinary folks— always a green flag.
I also tend to look for workplaces that have the optional DEI question that asks whether or not you have ever had a disability, because I have noticed in workplaces that don't ask that, accommodations are less commonly achieved because there is a lack of knowledge of what these look like!
As someone who now qualifies as legally disabled (Cancer), I appreciate that added context as I haven't encountered an application process yet which doesn't ask the question.
A company that actively promotes diversity and inclusion and is demographically diverse is an obvious green flag. But even if an employer appears to have a diverse workforce and checks all the boxes in terms of policies, training, and education, it’s the day-to-day interactions that speak the loudest. Unfortunately, it can be be hard to get a true sense of these interactions until you are actively working in the company.
As for a red flag: secrecy. If there is excessive secrecy in one part of the business, chances are it's everywhere. When information is intentionally hidden or withheld from others, it breeds mistrust and signals a lack of transparency in decision-making. That is _not _conducive to creating a safe and inclusive space, and the overall vibe suffers.
Based upon the companies number of years & the position you applied for, & the kind of questions that roll in the interview & how much they focus on your interview introduction. you can conclude you want to work there or not !