Unemployed? Feeling gutted? Been thrown out like yesterday’s garbage? Well misery loves company and you’re not alone. You are one, amongst millions of others in the same boat. The failings of your company’s leadership are clear and evident in so many ways, it will make you cry! Not enough cash reserves, no contingency plans for a Pandemic situation (or any serious crisis), no foresight, excessive cost overheads, too much debt, a disregard for the people who supported the company, etc. It’s why you are now unemployed. Because they (the leadership) don’t care about “You”. They are practising “kleptocrats” and used their influence in past to ensure big bonuses and dividend payments for themselves. In short, they were mostly concerned with safeguarding their futures, not yours! Toxic company indeed!
My own poetic license here but I slightly disagree here with the Wikipedia definition of Kleptocrat. They explain it as “government with corrupt leaders (kleptocrats) that use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory in order to extend their personal wealth and political powers”. I believe it should be extended to read “a government OR COMPANY with corrupt leaders (kleptocrats) that use their power to exploit the people and natural resources of their own territory in order to extend their personal wealth and political powers”. See my other article on Kleptocracy
Where does blame fall
But (and sorry to be harsh!) are they totally to blame? Yes it may be a toxic company but should you shoulder some blame for being foolish and totally trusting your leadership? Trust is earned, not given away freely. The signs would have been there for quite some time but are often missed. Or did you see the signs but did not understand their meaning perhaps?
Well nothing is forever and you will find new work. And as the saying goes, “find any port in a storm” so take the first thing that comes along that guarantees you a pay check so you can pay the mortgage and put food on the table. But don’t be short-sighted this time. Watch what this new company is like and what it does (not what it says). As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words”. Learn from your mistakes.
Be Smart
Here are my own top 10 things to be mindful of in evaluating the “moral & ethical health” of your new company to determine if it is a toxic company. Questions and key warning indicators to make you think!
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Do they offer good corporate benefits? Medical insurance? Dental insurance? Good equipment? Mobile phone? Homeworking? Reimbursement of home working expenses? Increased pay for unsociable hours? Increase overtime pay? Free training on a regular basis? Vacation time? Sick days? Do they even have an HR department?
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Do they offer employee bonuses? Share plans? Cash incentives for good performance? Recognition programs? Or are these all reserved for “the Leadership”? Are they more interested in paying dividends to enhance their wealth rather than yours!
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Have you checked their last financial year and are they in good shape cash wise? Cash reserves? What is their gearing ratio? (Debt to equity position). If the ratio is over 50% and the company suffers another “unexpected event”, guess who goes first?
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Do you have a real manager who speaks to you and coaches you? Or is that person so overloaded, your just “a number on a sheet”?
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Are you offered real opportunities to improve? Optional training at company cost? New things to work on?
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Are you treated like a real person? How do they (your line management) talk to you? Respectfully? With dignity? Like a person? Or like some “widget” in a machine?
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If you take a sick day off, does anyone follow up out of care and concern? Is returning to work a great day? Or do you dread returning as it’s more like the Spanish inquisition?
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Are you paid to work overtime? Regularly and consistently? Do they ever ask you to work for “free”? Yes, we all are guilty of putting in a few extra hours here and there out of a sense of professional pride. But has it become “standard” to work for free? Are you expected to always work “extra”? Are you compensated if you do?
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Does the company ever try to build real teams? Team building workshops? Company funded work events? Fun events like barbecues or company days out? Summer parties? And at their expense, not yours!
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And last, but most important. Are your leadership honest? Do they do what they say they will do? Or do you perpetually catch them out in lies?
Where to next
Like anything in life, there are no guarantees you can always sidestep a toxic company. And any “one single indicator” where you answered “NO” does not necessarily mean “a bad company”. But if you answered “NO” to at least 3-4 questions, stop and take time to think of how safe your new job is.
If you answered “NO” to 5 more questions, keep that CV or resume polished and up to date. And QUIETLY go look for a better company, then “jump” as soon as possible when you are ready. You are not in a safe good position offering any security or future. And to be blunt, whereas you may feel a very misplaced ethical sense of loyalty and that you somehow “owe them”, you don’t. It’s irrational behaviour and if you can’t shrug it off, I suggest counselling. More can be found here: –Forbes: A toxic work culture
These “good companies” do exist! You just need to find them! Here are more tips on how to protect yourself in future: –Job Skills
