Signs that a company is in decline and it may be time to look for a job

Job instability seems to be a universal problem, but certain warning signs can help unsuspecting employees avoid impending doom — also known as layoffs, bankruptcies or layoffs.

From poor workplace culture to changes in office niches, a few subtle signs can alert employees to the true health of the company and give them time to look for a job if things seem to be going wrong.

Here are 11 signs that your company is going bankrupt (and it’s time to start looking for another job):

1. Break room essentials are cut.

If you start to notice budget cuts for break room essentials at work—whether it’s coffee, water, or food—that’s a pretty clear warning sign that the company isn’t respecting you as a person or struggling to make ends meet. usual. .

If it’s the former, don’t let your employer take advantage of your fear of confrontation or your innate kindness. You deserve access to the essentials, especially when you spend most of your days in the office.

If it’s the latter, and the company is struggling to survive, take this as a sign to leave before things get worse.

Employees in office break room antoniodiaz | Shutter

2. Compensation is inconsistent or not prioritized by leadership.

Getting paid in full and on time is your job responsibility – and should never be negotiated. If you are not being paid or if your compensation, raises and bonuses are not prioritized, look for another job that makes your livelihood a priority.

In many cases, workers are protected from reporting employers for inadequate pay. Under the Odell Law, you can file a lawsuit for unpaid or late wages.

Still, there are often deep-rooted issues behind a company’s inability to pay. If your employer doesn’t have the money to pay you, the problem is likely to only become more intense – start looking for a new job while you have the freedom to do so.

3. Senior management is not available or visible.

Many people in the Reddit “Managers” thread suggest that senior management disappearing during daily activities is a considerable red flag for employees concerned about their job security. Not only is it a clear indicator that they are concerned about something bigger than daily operations, but their inability to support and be available to employees is a warning sign.

Consider using your free time away from the shadow of a lurking boss or micromanager to look for alternative jobs, tweak your resume, secure your references, and set yourself up for success if things go wrong.

Employee updating her resume Kaspars Grinvalds | Shutter

4. The frequency of performance reviews has increased.

Other participants in the Reddit thread consider the increased frequency of job performance reviews a warning sign for management’s preparedness for upcoming layoffs.

“When they go from one performance review a year to one every quarter,” one user wrote. “They want to fire/fire people and need quick documentation.”

5. They start laying off employees.

Fortunately, layoffs aren’t the first warning sign you notice at your company, but for many people they can be an unexpected shock. According to a study by Intoo, more than 40% of people have been fired at least once, and many of them in the last few years.

To avoid being caught off guard by an unexpected layoff, make sure you’re keeping your finger on the pulse of your industry—both inside and outside the company. The sooner you can anticipate and prepare to look for a new job, the better off you will be.

Stay active on Linkedin, network frequently, build a community, and keep your resume up to date.

6. Great employees and managers are leaving.

“If top talent starts leaving, you know you should too,” career strategist Ashley Tronson advised on TikTok. “The best talent does not stay in jobs where they are not appreciated. So if your favorite co-workers are starting to look for jobs…I would be looking for jobs too.”

7. Customers and consumers start to leave.

Consider this a warning sign if you’re in a customer service role and notice more customers leaving. Especially if customers are your main source of income as a business, the more customers you lose, the greater the risk to your compensation.

Layoffs often occur unexpectedly for employees, but for management they are simply a way to cut costs after loss of income. If you’re noticing changes in your clientele, take it personally.

8. Employees are leaving and not being replaced.

It’s not just a warning sign when great employees are leaving your company, but an even bigger sign when your leadership isn’t actively replacing them. For employees left behind at the company, you are likely to take on the extra work responsibilities they leave behind without extra pay or recognition.

Especially if you are a “high achiever” at work, demonstrating competence and an excellent work ethic can be detrimental when leadership seeks to hand off work to remaining employees. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or underappreciated, consider it a sign that they’re not willing – or unable – to hire more people to support you.

9. Company morale is low.

An MIT Sloan Management Review workplace study indicates that “a toxic culture” is the number one driver of employee dismissal – in fact, it is 10.4 times more likely than compensation to drive a worker’s decision to leave .

As unlikely as it may seem in a toxic job, finding a place with a culture that values you and possible. Don’t let your employer take advantage of you no matter what. You deserve better.

unhappy employee Martin Lauge Villadsen | Shutter

10. Shifting to “modern” work strategies without clear direction.

Other Reddit employees suggest that implementing “modern workplace strategies” or business models like NFTs is a “red flag” for a company’s health. Especially in conjunction with poor communication or unclear priorities, these “trends” can be a sign that your employer is essentially “out for something.”

Whether revenue-driven or a last-ditch effort to save your company, be aware of how leadership prepares and communicates new strategies at work. As a valued and supported employee, you should never feel “thrown into” a project or strategy without knowing its purpose.

11. An unexpected company-wide meeting is called.

Probably one of the last warning signs you would notice regarding the health of your company, a “company-wide” meeting – especially one scheduled out of the blue – could be a bad sign for your job security.

There’s probably uncomfortable or large-scale news to share, especially for larger companies where scheduling time for everyone to be together is incredibly difficult. If it can’t be emailed, there’s probably something more serious hanging over leadership.

Don’t ignore warning signs in the workplace – use them to prepare for an upcoming job search or to gain the momentum you need to stand up for yourself. You deserve a company that values your effort, time and well-being.

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a news and entertainment writer at YourTango focusing on health and wellness, social policy, and human interest stories.