4 signs of a dysfunctional workplace you can spot

4 signs of a dysfunctional workplace you can spot4 signs of a dysfunctional workplace you can spotA dysfunctional workplace is like an unhealthy relationship.At first, youre excited about all the possibilities a name brand company, a higher salary, a more prestigious title. Those perks make you happy for a while, but eventually, the shine wears off and you start to question the bigger picture. Youre forced to admit the company culture is a bad fit for you. In hindsight, you realize that the warning signs were probably there from the beginning- you just didnt want to landsee them.Think about an interview like a first date. You and your potential new company are evaluating each other to see if theres a fit. Heres how to spot the red flags before accepting a job offer (and long before youre settled at your new desk).Email and phone communications are confusingIn our experience, the way a company handles the beginning stages with a new employee is 100 percent indicative of the company cu lture. A company with strong values makes sure that those values are reflected in every aspect of the business. If clarity, promptness, and organization are important, theyll make sure you see that side of them throughout the interview process.If youre confused about what time to show up, where to show up, who youre meeting with, or what the ort is, take note. If your point persons email is poorly written or their email etiquette seems off, its okay to use that as a data point.Your interviewer gossips about previous employeesIn some cases, you might be interviewing for a position that someone left hastily or unprofessionally, leaving the department scrambling to find a new candidate to fill it. While thats frustrating for the organization, its not something that the interviewer needs to share with you.In fact, the interviewer shouldnt share much about the previous employee during the interview at all, except to explain the details of her role. Hearing your interviewer say things lik e, She really wasnt very detail-oriented, or She asked for too much vacation, means that the workplace culture doesnt discourage gossip.Its also a warning sign that the team might compare you to the old you frequently. Even if it feels good to hear youre doing a better job than she did, isnt it better to know that everyones performance was evaluated privately and appropriately?The interview seems really shortWhen youre interviewing at a company for the first time, theres a lot to take in. Youre trying to absorb what the office looks, feels, and even smells like, while also trying to seem both professional and relatable. Plus trying to get some information about the position. So yeah- a lot.A good interviewer, one who cares about connecting with the candidate and who values being patient and thorough, wont allow her anxiety about the rest of her day to rush you through the interview. Shell be a direct reflection of the company culture youre looking for.If you end up getting offered t he position, in many cases, youre going to spend more time with each other during the week than your own families and friends. Its in everyones interest to spend some time making sure its a good fit. If youre not given that opportunity, thats a red flag.HR is non-existent or isnt respectedThe lucky thing about going through an interview process is that youre immediately confronted with the department thats in dienstgrad of policing personnel issues and culture- human resources.Right off the bat, how HR interacts with you and how the employees interact with HR should give you plenty of insight into what the company culture is like.Some questions to keep in mind does the companys HR department consist of one ancient, overworked employee who cant keep the new hires names straight? Is it a corporate behemoth thats so bogged down by business jargon that theyve failed to connect with the employees at all? Is the department more interested in flashy perks and attracting top talent than com municating in a helpful, human way?If the people youd be working with roll their eyes at HR, or if you email with them and get a weird response, chances are that HR wont be your best ally if tricky situations arise.This post was originally published on CareerContessa.com.