Hello fellow members, I've a question to ask. It's a very critical question! What are the signs that your workplace is toxic when it comes to flexible work schedule?

Flexible != You're available all the time..

@careful-napkin-30353 seriously! Does that mean also work on holiday if your manager was unavailable on working day to approve certain things?

I work as a developer, so was never in such a scenario.

I'm a content marketing manager and social media manager. I've faced this today.

Does that mean also work on holiday if your manager was unavailable on working day to approve certain things?

This type of culture is quite common in startups (I have been a part of a startup and this was one of the reasons why I left. My brother is currently working in one, and still the same). Do note, I am not generalizing that ALL startups do this.

Saksham, okay your answer was helpful because the place where I work is also a startup. Is the same scenario with established companies? What's your answer on that?

Nope. I have worked for 2 well-established firms. One with 10K employees other one with 100K employees. The scenario is just opposite of what you see in a startup. IF I ever had to work on a holiday, then it requires my manager approval. In absence of my manager, his/her manager's approval is needed. Then, if I do work, then I am paid twice the daily salary and an additional holiday. However, such scenarios are very rare (I haven't encountered this yet).

But did you get flexible work schedules to work on?

I do. My current org has flexible work schedule. On paper it is 9-6; however I can work as I see fit.

I see! I mean there are so many established companies who offer flexible work schedules.

~3 months I guess you can imagine how toxic it might have been 😅 I mean there were teams who were LITERALLY working 24*7.

Okay to call it a coincidence, 😂 it's been three months in my company too! So I guess I'm in the same place as you were once! Idk I'm just scared to leave the company as it may look like I'm a company hopper to other companies when I apply!

Yes, that will be a challenge while you make a switch. My scenario was as follows:- I worked for my previous company for ~2 yrs, then I made a switch to the forementioned startup. Stayed there for ~3 months (work-culture + my role were the drivers for me to leave). For me, my work-life balance is of prime important, so I didn't care if I have to be on the lookout for another job. Then after 5 months, I accepted the offer from my current org. The HR did raised the question of leaving my previous firm early, but I gave them the exact reason of why I left.

Yes. This is a good way to carry it out

Add me in the club of "worked at a toxic place and left in 3 months". People literally gave me weird looks when I left the office at 6pm. Once I even bounced at 4pm because I had nothing to do till I got my manager's approval on some work, got called back after 15 minutes for no reason. I bounced from the company the next week.

If there have been no other red flags, talk to your manager about this. Occasional pings in something that's make or break for the business is ok, randomly pinging for minor things that can wait is not. Ask them to be pro-active in these cases, talk to your manager's manager if there's any. Then stop responding for cases you know aren't urgent. Later drop a message that you'll talk on next working day. Always be polite but firm. If even that doesn't work, quit.

@kind-queen-6796, I guess I'm in the similar place. In our company we release newsletters every alternate Fridays. Yesterday was that Friday. We had an intern who would design and keep the newsletters ready. But he sent it to me day before yesterday around 7.15 in the evening according to our Indian timezone (when I'm supposed to be free from work). That day I waited all day to have a meeting with my manager to get the details of the newsletters approved. My manager did not appear in any meeting even though I had sent him a lot of reminders. Coming to yesterday, when it was a holiday, my manager texted me around 6.30 pm, saying what's the status of the newsletters? And I was caught off guard. Now he worked yesterday on holiday until 9 pm. So does that mean I was supposed to work on a holiday too?

If you haven't already, tell your manager that they should at least let you know if they can't make to pre-scheduled meetings. And that they should not ping you outside work. If that doesn't work, talk to your skip manager about this behaviour. If they sound similar, start looking for work.

I agree with @dry-monkey-93718. Before I decided to switch, I had a discussion with my manager, then the Director and finally the HR (this one was a formality as after my discussion with the Director I was 100% sure that I have to exit.). Doing this ensures that you did everything from end to make this work, and if you then exit it doesn't portray you in bad light nor does it hamper your relations for the future.

I think I should take steps that @dry-monkey-93718 suggested. And then I can make it clear that I want to make an exit. Guys, thank you so much! I was feeling I'm the only one who's unable to fit into this kind of culture where I work, work, and work and blur through the entire life!

my manager said our company's CRO fired two people without notice and I was the third on the list. But my manager saved me because I was hardworking person. Idk if this is a red flag!

I can 100% guarantee that your manager totally made up this bullshit to show themselves as your saviour (so you'll feel obliged to work harder for them). Just start looking for a new job. It's an impossible task for any single employee to change the work culture & environment. Don't waste your time trying to "improve" the situation. There are literally thousands of job openings. Just don't apply to early/mid stage startups. The work culture there will always be brutal and non-sustainable.

my manager said our company's CRO fired two people without notice and I was the third on the list. But my manager saved me because I was hardworking person. Idk if this is a red flag! My confidence was already shaken up when he told me that I was the next on the list! Inspite of working hard, I had to go through this. And now this newsletter thing happened!

He sounds like a manipulative person. It'd be interesting to see the shock on his face when you file your notice. I'd suggest leaving ASAP if you can.

Flexible work schedule

The work schedule should be flexible as per your needs and not as per your manager/firm needs. This is a basic but an important distinction to make, as many a times your manager/firm tend to exploit it.

@magnificent-solstice-42554 I felt so too but was unsure that's why I asked for an opinion here. I worked hard to secure this job. But losing my sanity was not on my list!

I was kinda hoping the 2 people story would come out to be false with your skip manager. Fired without notice means they didn't get sent to PIP or that they got no severance? If it's the former, it somewhat depends on the severity of the reason. If it's the latter, do all the talking etc to give a clear reason and keep relation with the ones you liked at this workplace. But start looking for alternatives now, don't wait for the conversation.

Try to look for more context if you want Try to look for another job if you want Manager texted on weekend for some work, because he/she wanted to. Don’t stop yourself from doing something you want. ------- My manager scared me when I was leaving the job. that happened to me on 2 jobs 😄 Whatever they do, I am not working with them again I know the market and once I have another job in hand, I walk out with confidence

Thank you again everyone! Sometimes leaving a job can be a big step! I just needed to see if it's worth taking that step!

@magnificent-solstice-42554 how to verify if a company is a early/ mid stage startup ??

@dry-monkey-93718 Well, Idk if a CRO qualifies for a PIP program so I am not sure if he needs one. But I don't know if anyone has raised a concern over it.

I have been struggling with this myself. My supervisor is in Columbia and denies to do calls before her 9 am(7.30 pm IST). I agreed to be flexible but seems like I am taken for a ride most times. It sucks and it is frustrating, it's best to either voice it out or get out. I am into HR myself and I genuinely empathise with everyone having to deal with bad supervisors! 😞

I've worked in toxic cultures too and many of the above made points are quite valid. In the end it comes down to how much it personally affects your peace of mind and sanity on a day to day basis, how much do you think you "need" your job, and how much do you think your company needs you - all of which are very subjective and vary greatly from case to case. Generally, I'd say keep highlighting the kinks in the system (the folks higher up always listen, even when they pretend not to), and keep looking for a job outside. Startups are hard but that doesn't have to imply toxic - there's a clear distinction there.

I so agree with your points Mayank, thanks for the input! 🙂