5 Red Flags to Look Out for in a Company’s Glassdoor Reviews

It wasn’t so long ago that you had to know somebody who worked at a certain company in order to get an accurate picture of what it was like to work there. But with the internet ushering us into the Age of Information, there is more transparency around the workplace than ever. Before even applying to a company, let alone accepting a job offer, today’s jobseekers are turning to sites like Glassdoor to read reviews from those who know a company best: their employees.

Reviews play a critical role in helping you decide whether or not the company you’re considering working for is the right fit or not. But what exactly should you watch out for when reading these reviews? If you see the following come up again and again in a company’s Glassdoor reviews, it might be time to reconsider your application:

1. A Problematic Culture

What It Looks Like: “Toxic,” “bullying,” “favouritism,” “high turnover,” low company rating

Why It Matters: No matter how great a company seems on paper, you can’t turn a blind eye to what employees say about their culture. With about a third of your adult life spent at work, a healthy company culture is critical. You want to be at an organisation that encourages employees to be the best they can be — not one that motivates by fear and punishment.

2. A Lack of Career Opportunities

What It Looks Like: “Unclear career path,” “no promotion from within,” “no growth”

Why It Matters: Sure, you may not care about getting promoted right now — but what about in a year from now? Two years? Five years or more? Odds are, if you stay with a company for long enough, you’re going to want to grow your skills, responsibilities, salary and title. Not only does this prevent you from growing bored — it will also make you a more marketable jobseeker when it comes time to find your next position.

3. Poor Leadership

What It Looks Like: “Leaders don’t care/listen,” “unclear vision,” “feedback not welcome,” “CEO needs to go,” low CEO approval rating

Why It Matters: Every ship needs a capable leader at its helm. Although you may not work with them on a day-to-day basis, a company’s senior leadership team are the ones responsible for ensuring that the business prospers in good times and makes it through bad times. Beyond that, they set the tone for everything from the company’s values to their culture, communication style, policies and more.

4. No Work-Life Balance

What It Looks Like: “Long hours,” “always staying late,” “burnout,” “workaholics”

Why It Matters: There are people out there who truly don’t mind working from dawn until dusk (and then some), but most of us need a healthy balance between our work lives and our home lives in order to stay sane. Putting in long hours each and every day is a near-guaranteed recipe for burnout, which can harm you professionally as well as personally. Aim instead for a company that keeps you busy enough for your mind to be stimulated, but not so busy that you never have free time.

5. Below-Market Compensation

What It Looks Like: “Low salaries,” “unfair pay,” “pay gap,” “not a living wage”

Why It Matters: It’s true what they say — money isn’t everything, but there is something to be said for having your salary reflect your contributions to the organisation. When you aren’t earning as much as you know you should be making, you may start to feel unmotivated or even resentful of the company. And the last thing you want after starting a new job is to dread coming to work.

A negative review here and there on a company’s Glassdoor profile isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but if you see recurring patterns of any of the items above, take heed — everybody deserves to find a job and company they love!