The 10 Worst Kinds of Employers to Work For
August 3, 2011
As that the economy is bounces back, there is good and bad news. The good news: Companies are hiring. The bad news: The
same ones you didn't want to work for before, you still don't want to work for. And they are recruiting!
Watch out for these 10 dead-end employers.
1) Employers with morale campaigns like "We're the Best" and baseball caps that say "Reach for the Stars." Employees
paid enough money don't need morale campaigns.
2) Offices that are a sea of particle board cubicles with a few ostentatious glass offices, also known as Floor Plan
Feudalism. The only time you will see the inside of one of these offices is on your last day.
3) Companies with employee parking lots that are full at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. With the same cars! Employees aren't
working 10-hour shifts because they like the cafeteria food.
4) Employers that push pizza parties and company games like volleyball because they want to think you're happy like
Dylan's Maggie's Farm. ("Sing While You Slave!") Forced fun is an insult -- you can choose your own friends -- and
psychological harassment.
5) Companies with signs in the employee kitchen that say "Your Mother Doesn't Live Here; Clean Up After Yourself" and
"Dear Person Who Stole My Cheese: I Know Who You Are." These are the people you will be working with. Think about it.
6) Employers with elaborate security systems and employee surveillance. They might be afraid of sneaky employees because
they've created them.
7) Companies whose help-wanted ads say you must have a pleasant-sounding voice, dependable car or "work well in
fast-paced environment." Fast-paced environment means unmanageable working conditions, and the other two qualifiers are
obvious.
8) Companies whose help-wanted ads seek someone who wants to "be your own boss." You will be driving around subdivisions
for a percentage of a product no one wants. P.S. the gas will be on you.
9) Companies whose help-wanted ads ask, "Need extra cash?" Like you want an extra pedicure or pair of low-heeled sandals
instead of to pay your rent.
10) Companies whose interviewer tells you about the benefits and disability plan (that kicks in after five years) before
salary. They are saving the worst for last.
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Martha Rosenberg's first book, tentatively titled "Born with a Fritos Deficiency: How Flaks, Quacks and Hacks Pimp the
Public Health" will be published by Amherst, New York-based Prometheus Books next year.