Emplyer Red Flags [general questions and experience]

[Nethack]

  Well hello there!

Welcome. Here we will talk about personal bad employer experiences.
What are some red flags that you've noticed in the past that have either made you leave a job, or decline a job offer?

In my own life, I very much believe that there are a few things to look out for when looking for employment and when deciding to keep or leave a current job. Recently i worked for a company that refused their employees direct contact with HR, fired people before they even clocked in because they were turning off their phone while walking into the building, and had such a high turn over rate that we literally had lines to the back of the store (retail job).

What are your experiences and thoughts about this?

[JinseiKamiJestie]

A red flag that made me not finish training at a job was the manager not acknowledging that HR and I had made an agreement that I would work set days, and was a dealbreaker if I'd accept the job or not. It was going to be a secondary job, and as it was my first time dipping my toes into working two jobs; I wanted to make it as easy as possible for my managers at my primary job to plan the rota (my primary job is fewer hours than I'd like, hence second job, but I was past the probationary 3 months in my employment and it was a permanent contract until I leave/redundancy, so having a stable job I can at least do weekends and eats that time is better than quitting for a new temporary job). This came to light with the manager later when they started asking me to come in "x, y and z, oh and you won't get set days" type of thing, after I'd checked in verbally with them that they'd spoken to HR and signed the contract of employment. They had also printed my name wrong on the nametag, which is fairly freaking embarrassing as it's a common, simple name that is only spelt wrong by primary school-aged children, and yes, people made comments about it.

[Nethack]

A red flag that made me not finish training at a job was the manager not acknowledging that HR and I had made an agreement that I would work set days, and was a dealbreaker if I'd accept the job or not. It was going to be a secondary job, and as it was my first time dipping my toes into working two jobs; I wanted to make it as easy as possible for my managers at my primary job to plan the rota (my primary job is fewer hours than I'd like, hence second job, but I was past the probationary 3 months in my employment and it was a permanent contract until I leave/redundancy, so having a stable job I can at least do weekends and eats that time is better than quitting for a new temporary job). This came to light with the manager later when they started asking me to come in "x, y and z, oh and you won't get set days" type of thing, after I'd checked in verbally with them that they'd spoken to HR and signed the contract of employment. They had also printed my name wrong on the nametag, which is fairly freaking embarrassing as it's a common, simple name that is only spelt wrong by primary school-aged children, and yes, people made comments about it.

Thats no fun! I would have walked out as well. HR should be informing their management teams of this information.
Drastic disconnect between departments is a HUGE issue, especially in these days it seems.

[JinseiKamiJestie]

Thats no fun! I would have walked out as well. HR should be informing their management teams of this information.
Drastic disconnect between departments is a HUGE issue, especially in these days it seems. 

It's actually a relief to hear I wasn't just being "dramatic" or "overreacting". My only sounding board at the time was my boyf and he's fairly level-headed, even if he is dealing with me when I'm in floods of tears.
I honestly think HR did tell management when they took me on as they seemed shocked by it all when I sent an apology email; it was just a case of management not caring enough that I was taking steps mostly to minimize my own anxiety - I have no idea how Americans can do 3+ jobs at a time, nevermind 2. I mean, they couldn't be bothered to re-print my nametag and that's a TINY thing compared to organising shifts.

[Dangerous_D]

I loved how the shut down last year cause my position to be eliminated which caused me to be laid off, 4 years with the casino and gone

[Nethack]

Thats no fun! I would have walked out as well. HR should be informing their management teams of this information.
Drastic disconnect between departments is a HUGE issue, especially in these days it seems.

It's actually a relief to hear I wasn't just being "dramatic" or "overreacting". My only sounding board at the time was my boyf and he's fairly level-headed, even if he is dealing with me when I'm in floods of tears.
I honestly think HR did tell management when they took me on as they seemed shocked by it all when I sent an apology email; it was just a case of management not caring enough that I was taking steps mostly to minimize my own anxiety - I have no idea how Americans can do 3+ jobs at a time, nevermind 2. I mean, they couldn't be bothered to re-print my nametag and that's a TINY thing compared to organising shifts.

Yeah lol most of us have no choice though. Its either work multiple jobs or starve to death. *shrug* Im also sure that there probably was some sort of communication, however a lot of the time poor managers will disregard HR and do what they want. Which is trash.

I loved how the shut down last year cause my position to be eliminated which caused me to be laid off, 4 years with the casino and gone

Oh thats fun. I would of thought they would have had least offered you a different position within the company...

[JinseiKamiJestie]

Yeah lol most of us have no choice though. Its either work multiple jobs or starve to death. *shrug* Im also sure that there probably was some sort of communication, however a lot of the time poor managers will disregard HR and do what they want. Which is trash.

I get that, I know I'm lucky that my parents always have a room open for me. It's ironic just how much managers can get away, I mean, they gave HR more work by them having to either contact an applicant who didn't make it through or find ANOTHER person.

[Nethack]

Yeah lol most of us have no choice though. Its either work multiple jobs or starve to death. *shrug* Im also sure that there probably was some sort of communication, however a lot of the time poor managers will disregard HR and do what they want. Which is trash.

I get that, I know I'm lucky that my parents always have a room open for me. It's ironic just how much managers can get away, I mean, they gave HR more work by them having to either contact an applicant who didn't make it through or find ANOTHER person.

This makes me wonder if you guys have a few similar employment laws to us. Like... We have what are called "Right To Work" states. In those states, managers/employers can literally fire you for ANY reason. Showed up late ONE time? fired. Have on the wrong color hair band? fired. Parked in the general managers usual parking spot? fired.

Unfortunately this is a common issue in the states. Unless you have the money to bank roll a lawyer- good luck even proving discrimination. I learned a long time ago to document EVERYTHING.

[JinseiKamiJestie]

In those states, managers/employers can literally fire you for ANY reason. Showed up late ONE time? fired. Have on the wrong color hair band? fired. Parked in the general managers usual parking spot? fired.

Usually the employer/manager has to go through disciplinary action before firing an employee here, or at least, that was the case for one employer I worked for (sauce: I've accompanied a colleague when they were given disciplinary action). We're protected by the Equality Act 2010 which makes it harder to be fired for mental health reasons. We might have other protective laws, I've not looked too deeply into it, but one old co-worker used to remind me of all my rights as an employee (he was older than me and it was my first full-time job).

[Nethack]

Usually the employer/manager has to go through disciplinary action before firing an employee here, or at least, that was the case for one employer I worked for (sauce: I've accompanied a colleague when they were given disciplinary action). We're protected by the Equality Act 2010 which makes it harder to be fired for mental health reasons. We might have other protective laws, I've not looked too deeply into it, but one old co-worker used to remind me of all my rights as an employee (he was older than me and it was my first full-time job).

Im glad you had someone looking out for you! Most companies here have a company policy that states that they have to have so many documented disciplinary actions before they can terminate you, however in right to work states they dont have to follow that LEGALLY. That doesnt mean that they wont get in trouble though. In the USA we get let go for things that dont make sense at all. All of the time. They try to make it really hard for anyone to get promotions, and will terminate anyone who doesnt think the same way as them.... which... is very American.

[JinseiKamiJestie]

Im glad you had someone looking out for you! Most companies here have a company policy that states that they have to have so many documented disciplinary actions before they can terminate you, however in right to work states they dont have to follow that LEGALLY. That doesnt mean that they wont get in trouble though. In the USA we get let go for things that dont make sense at all. All of the time. They try to make it really hard for anyone to get promotions, and will terminate anyone who doesnt think the same way as them.... which... is very American.

Me too! I miss that guy, he was a fountain of wisdom and a caring soul, even if he did grate on some of our other colleagues. I feel privileged that we have laws protecting us and that there are charities/volunteer services out there for us to go to for advice on what to do if a law is being broken.

[Beerkeg]

I'm glad I work in a small company so I don't have to deal with any HR nonsense and such. I can talk about things with my boss directly cause he works alongside us and he is interested in the work dynamic because we'll be more efficient. And if things don't change or I don't want to work here anymore, I can just leave and go to the next small company. I really don't like big companies with departments and stuff... You're just an insignificant cog in a machine of barely organized chaos. Nobody listens, nobody cares, go in, keep your head down, do the thing, go home, repeat. I like going in to work and like it.

[Nethack]

I'm glad I work in a small company so I don't have to deal with any HR nonsense and such. I can talk about things with my boss directly cause he works alongside us and he is interested in the work dynamic because we'll be more efficient. And if things don't change or I don't want to work here anymore, I can just leave and go to the next small company. I really don't like big companies with departments and stuff... You're just an insignificant cog in a machine of barely organized chaos. Nobody listens, nobody cares, go in, keep your head down, do the thing, go home, repeat. I like going in to work and like it.

Totally get that. Its cool that you've found a smaller company that works that way. A lot of places are really not like that, and a lot of business owners are more of a "my way or the highway" type.

Some larger companies arent that bad, its when you get the one bad egg in there that doesnt care about anyone at all. I worked for a few places where the direct manager was the problem. No one was brave enough to report it, so I did. Those were interesting times. The manager was removed and I ended up leaving because of a better opportunity.

[Dangerous_D]

Thats no fun! I would have walked out as well. HR should be informing their management teams of this information.
Drastic disconnect between departments is a HUGE issue, especially in these days it seems.

It's actually a relief to hear I wasn't just being "dramatic" or "overreacting". My only sounding board at the time was my boyf and he's fairly level-headed, even if he is dealing with me when I'm in floods of tears.
I honestly think HR did tell management when they took me on as they seemed shocked by it all when I sent an apology email; it was just a case of management not caring enough that I was taking steps mostly to minimize my own anxiety - I have no idea how Americans can do 3+ jobs at a time, nevermind 2. I mean, they couldn't be bothered to re-print my nametag and that's a TINY thing compared to organising shifts.

Yeah lol most of us have no choice though. Its either work multiple jobs or starve to death. *shrug* Im also sure that there probably was some sort of communication, however a lot of the time poor managers will disregard HR and do what they want. Which is trash.

I loved how the shut down last year cause my position to be eliminated which caused me to be laid off, 4 years with the casino and gone

Oh thats fun. I would of thought they would have had least offered you a different position within the company...

they did, they put me back in security and that department at that property treated me like shit and after 5 months I resigned, HR wouldn't let me transfer out, especially when my Tech position opened back up, the director of HR was blocking my transfers and told me to either put up with the Security Department or resign, a week later I submitted my 2 weeks notice

[Nethack]

they did, they put me back in security and that department at that property treated me like shit and after 5 months I resigned, HR wouldn't let me transfer out, especially when my Tech position opened back up, the director of HR was blocking my transfers and told me to either put up with the Security Department or resign, a week later I submitted my 2 weeks notice

Ew. Thats absolute trash. I hate when companies give ultimatums like that. On one hand it means that they arent willing to lose you to another department and that you are valuable but on the other it means that youre not valuable enough to keep. It seems like they thought making that threat would have made you want to stay as apposed to leaving. Idk why managers and HR think that way. Its not logical and hardly ever works.