I have a bad gut feeling.

57 Comments

1. Barb HansenJanuary 15,2026 at 12:18AM UTC

   Gut feelings should be listened to.

   That being said, I don't know if I would read too much into the hiring manager discussing how their remote computer/cloud-based programs work - if that hiring manager had to recently fire someone, they may just be thinking about not having to worry about them accessing files on the day they were let go. As a hiring manager who has had to let people go before, removing access to company files and laptop was always a consideration on firing-day.

   If you take away the discussion about the remote computer/cloud software, do you still feel nervous about this role? Perhaps the answer to this question will help you decide if your gut is right.

2. Sandra DavilaJanuary 15,2026 at 5:24AM UTC

   Or you could take away from the meeting that….

   The company sageguards it’s licenses agreement and follows safety protocol from breaches and unauthorized users.

3. AnonymousJanuary 15,2026 at 6:23AM UTC

   Trust your gut. Wait for something that feels right.

4. AnonymousJanuary 15,2026 at 5:09PM UTC

   I was going to say this. When in doubt, dont.

5. Carolyn MillerJanuary 15,2026 at 1:30PM UTC

   Go with your gut feeling..

6. Dr. Patty GrossJanuary 15,2026 at 2:02PM UTC

   Do you have anything else besides this comment that struck your gut? It may have been part of the standard employment agreement process, making sure you understand the environment and how it works. If other comments also perked your ears up, especially if they disrespect current or former employees, you may be looking at something as toxic as the one you're trying to leave.

7. SheilaJanuary 15,2026 at 2:06PM UTC

   Before accepting, you could ask them to elaborate on the termination, without breaching confidentiality how long was the person at the company before being fired and did they violate company policy. Maybe that might give you some insight if this is a place where there is a revolving door.

8. AnonymousJanuary 15,2026 at 2:22PM UTC

   I joined a small company last year, replacing someone who’d just been fired. On day one, the CEO ranted about firing the sales team, and over the next year, fired seven people. This is 30% of a 25–30 person staff. I knew in my gut (even if there wasn't cause) I was going to get fired from the company.

   I was fired within seven months. Zero severance and can't qualify for unemployment as I didn't work long enough.

   Looking back, I can see it two ways: I earned solid money for seven months in a brutal job market, or I lost a year I could’ve spent finding something stable. If you to take it, gather as much information up front. Ask about severance and how they handle it, and see if there’s any room to negotiate.

9. AnonymousJanuary 15,2026 at 3:58PM UTC

   I would ask for one more meeting with the new manager and ask why there was so much emphasis on what is on the computer. I strongly suggest to NOT EVER use your work computer for personal things, nothing at all ever. Most larger companies use the cloud to protect their data and if you put your own personal information in there you are exposing your own stuff to outside eyes. All IT departments know how to find passwords and to track your usage that is not work related. For all you know (and they do not have to disclose) the person was fired for double dipping (work for 2 places) or using the personal system for their own use which may be against company policy. Ask for a copy of the company employee handbook to see what the rules are about computer usage.

   If you feel like the role is a good one, the salary is fair, and the manager is going to empower you to be your best and do good work, start by asking them why the person failed. I would imagine that they will share some portion of that. You could also look at Linkedin and probably figure out who was let go from the role and could ask them directly or go to Blind or Glassdoor and see about what others think about working there. Remember you should always back channel reference a company to assure there is nothing that you are stepping into that is problematic.

   I would also suggest that you ask about how the manager gives feedback, let them know how to take feedback. Since they are focusing on this stuff knowing what you need to know before anything could occur will be good too. No job is perfect and clearly they felt the sting of this termination in ways that they do not want to repeat. As for you you also are leaving something that did not work so asking before you go will let you know things that you too don't want repeating. If you get good answers that satisfy you make the move and don't look back.

10. GirlBossanova934974January 15,2026 at 5:44PM UTC

    I would not be that concerned. 1) Most companies are very secretive these days about the previous person who held the role. Most companies will NOT tell you or they just lie. At least, this company is honest. 2) Saying they will cut off your access if you leave one way or the other is like saying "sliced bread". EVERY company does that 3) Reading through the tea leaves tells me the last person who was fired was terminated for cause aka using his or her work computer to do personal things on or worse than that aka run some sort of outside business. That person tried to get back their stuff once they were let go. LESSON? Dont use their computer for personal stuff. EASY.

11. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 1:46PM UTC

    All good points. Possibly they told you about the prior employee and termination because the EMPLOYEE was the nightmare.

12. GirlBossanova934974January 16,2026 at 6:59PM UTC

    I would say you have a 90% chance of being correct...I actually like this company that is being talked about here. So many of these companies these days can't tell the truth if their lives depend on it. WORD SALAD or flat out dishonest.

13. BarbaraJanuary 15,2026 at 6:43PM UTC

    This all sounds a bit unfriendly and not welcoming at all. You don’t mention the actual job duties or what a nice new group of people you’ll be working with, or how much you’ll learn. Is there any excitement about going to this company or do you just see it as relief from the current situation. For me, I’d pay attention to my gut and not be so quick to jump to

    another probably more precarious situation. Taking about terminsting

    employees during the interview is

    just weird to

    me. Good luck!

14. Janet ParkhurstJanuary 16,2026 at 4:09AM UTC

    That is very much like discussing the terms of divorce with a man who just proposed to you. Sorry, I'd cut bait.

15. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 1:44PM UTC

    Depending on how desperately you need the job, you might want to take it. But you know up front how they operate. Take the job but Lee on looking and interviewing. It might turn out fine for you. It might be he’ll. Either way, good luck.

16. Ryann RedmondJanuary 16,2026 at 1:51PM UTC

    If you haven’t already, I would ask the company (hiring manager or recruiter) why the last person in this position didn’t work out so that you have a better understanding of their expectations and aren’t blindsided by information you didn’t know before taking it. It’s a fair question since you know the person before was let go.

17. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 2:01PM UTC

    The vast majority of the time, gut feelings are correct. I know it's hard to work for a toxic manager (been there, done that), but I actually outlasted her. If your current job is secure, you might want to keep it instead of going somewhere even more toxic. Before you make a decision, ask follow-up questions of the hiring manager or recruiter, as someone else already pointed out in the comments. If the answers are evasive, alarming, or just don't make you comfortable, that's a sign to keep your current job. Also check Glass Door reviews of the prospective employers, and see if you can find out whether an excessive number of people at the new company leave because they're fired rather than leaving voluntarily. It is nerve-wracking to work in a "gotcha" environment in which the employer is primarily looking for things the employees are doing wrong, rather than supporting employees and encouraging best work.

18. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 2:35PM UTC

    How are the company's reviews on Glassdoor and Reddit? I would do some due diligence- was the last termination an isolated case of a bad hire or something more serious? I always trust my gut. Toxic managers are awful (been there), but make sure you're not trading one toxic situation for another.

19. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 3:44AM UTC

    I did see one review on Glassdoor and it was apparently by the person who was fired. They said that the way they fired them, they sent them a video telling them that they were fired and their access was cut off. A very cold way of handling things.

20. Maija PeuraJanuary 16,2026 at 3:01PM UTC

    If you can keep your current job…you have nothing to lose by asking some candid questions. Interact with ChatGPT to help come up with some. Don’t beat around the bush - you are interviewing them…your openness isn’t a deterrent unless they react to it. Then you certainly know it’s not a good fit for you…

21. Shirley HolmesJanuary 16,2026 at 3:02PM UTC

    Sounds like a "red flag" to me. Go with your gut and decline the offer. I'm very skeptical when a manager/interviewer openly shares something negative about the person that held the role previously. What's the point in sharing that information? Not encouraging. Strive to work it out with your current manager. Have a relationship talk.. Listen to Mel Robbins Podcast, "How To Handle Difficult People & Take Back Your Peace and Power." I wish you the best.

22. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 3:05PM UTC

    This sets off all the alarm bells in my head. I would walk away from this.

23. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 3:11PM UTC

    I was once joining a company I thought was risky. A mentor asked me “what would you do if the worst happened and the role was eliminated?” And that really helped me think through my back up plans. I felt like I had plenty, took the role, never had to use them. But I can also appreciate its a different market now. I recent took on the role of someone who was terminated (internal move though, I was already at the company). I have the benefit of knowing why they were terminated, so I wasn’t concerned for myself as I won’t be repeating that behavior. But I am trying to hire a replacement for a member of their team who was also let go. I can’t tell candidates why that person was let go. But there were some very valid reasons that I would not be worried about in a new hire. And at the same time, in my industry, no job is really safe even at the best of companies, as we’re all one bad clinical trial result away from a possible reorg or layoff. You have to weigh the tradeoffs and decide which risk you want to take, and know what you’ll do if the worst does happen.

24. Jonna Ferguson, ACCJanuary 16,2026 at 3:26PM UTC

    Your gut is powerful and it sounds like you've made a choice you can stand by. Leaving a bad job for a worse one is a lot for anyone to handle.

    If you ever feel like you're "escaping" a job you're in, instead of running to an opportunity where you'll experience healthy and exciting growth, question why you're doing it.

    And if you want "data" to guide the decision, consider, "What's possible if I stay? And what's possible if I leave?" Those answers typically point you in a sound direction based on what's true for you at this moment.

    Wishing you all the best!

25. kelly O LandesJanuary 16,2026 at 7:28PM UTC

    This is great advice Jonna! I would be curious about why the interviewer spent time talking about "if you get terminated". to me, that may indicate something about the culture in the organization.

    I would likely ask some questions around what the culture is like, what are the organizations biggest challenges and also make sure that metrics of success for your role are very clearly defined.

    I wish you luck, keep widening your circle to stay connected to other opportunties!

26. Tami CannizzaroJanuary 16,2026 at 3:31PM UTC

    Listen to your gut! It's telling you everything you need to know.

27. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 4:11PM UTC

    I don't think it's unusual, at all, for access to be blocked if terminated or leaving a position. We don't know the line of work you're in, so that could make a difference in how I respond to your question here. You could be sensing something important, or you could be "triggered" because of other stress you're presently experiencing. Why don't you stretch this out a bit in your mind? For instance, "if" you got fired from this opportunity...do you have other options? Are you concerned about getting terminated in your current role? (trigger). Are you fearful to make ANY move at all right now (trauma at work; trigger)? you have to sort thru if you are being overly sensitive, or if this gut "feeling" is accurate. I've learned, in my own life, that I can overreact to a situation that is not threatening when my own mental health isn't in a good place. ...so just ponder all of this. Give it some time to sink in. Can you research the person who was terminated in some way (social media?). Do you know others who work there? Is there something you CAN DO to make your current job better? Sometimes, the grass is greener. and sometimes, it's not greener.

28. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 4:59PM UTC

    " I don't like so much emphasis on termination"

    You could try to turn your bad feeling around by daring to talk about your surprise at hearing about the termination process during the interview. You have a right to wonder what this really means, don't you? 

29. Pamela TorresJanuary 16,2026 at 5:27PM UTC

    Have you done a background check on the company and the hiring manager? Also, during the interview did you inquire what is expected once this position is filled? Are you expected to to drop and start running with the new role? Already, know the process before you step in the new role? What did you learn other aspects did you learn from the interview?

30. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 5:47PM UTC

    Sometimes it’s better to stay with the devil you know

31. Amanda BrownJanuary 16,2026 at 6:48PM UTC

    If you're leaning toward not taking the job anyway, what's the harm in giving the interviewer feedback? "I found your emphasis on termination policies discouraging. Why are you already looking ahead to the termination of someone you haven't even hired yet?" Maybe they were l are just a bad interviewer and are letting it on too much that they are still stinging from having to terminate the last person.

32. AnonymousJanuary 16,2026 at 9:03PM UTC

    Good advice.

33. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 2:30AM UTC

    Conversely it could backfire. They might not be taking the job now but they also want to be careful how they handle of it’s not a bridge they want to burn.

34. Crystal WhitcombJanuary 17,2026 at 6:14AM UTC

    Honestly, go with your gut. If you get bad vibes, take that as a sign. I have totally ignored my gut before and it bit me in the behind. As an outsider, I would be concerned that they felt comfortable telling you that the person was fired. That shouldn't be shared with interviewees.

35. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 2:00PM UTC

    Agree with the comments. Go with your gut. I accepted a job once where they had not terminated the person I would be replacing until right before I started and it was a hot mess.

36. MicheleJanuary 17,2026 at 2:10PM UTC

    Trust your gut. I wouldn't live one bad job for another. Job searching is exhausting. Keep searching, you'll find something better soon.

37. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 2:42PM UTC

    Thank you. It truly is exhausting. Im back at square one, but grateful to have an income.

38. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 2:40PM UTC

    Trust yourself and your gut feeling. I would absolutely be put off by the manager mentioning the possibility of termination during the interview. That’s not a good look.

39. Jeff SchadoffJanuary 17,2026 at 2:58PM UTC

    Being an ex Recruiter I would steer clear of this opportunity.

    In today's world you're seeking a position where you feel comfortable with your direct hiring manager and what you shared is a basic recipe for disaster.

40. Colleen HansonJanuary 17,2026 at 3:01PM UTC

    Trust your gut feeling! There is a reason you are feeling so uneasy about this!

    It's been my experience that employers who openly discuss "firings" are not reliable and are often times "hot heads" who fire people at the drop of a hat. Most respectful employers will find a way to politely word a separation of employment and will not emphasize "firing" people in their coversations with potential hires.

41. AnonymousJanuary 17,2026 at 3:11PM UTC

    Sounds like this manager has terminated more than one person in this role. Trust your gut.

42. AnonymousJanuary 18,2026 at 1:19PM UTC

    Go with your gut!

43. AnonymousJanuary 18,2026 at 1:21PM UTC

    A red flag would have popped up for me when they mentioned that the person previously in the role was terminated. They could have said separated abruptly to inform you that the position was in chaos.

44. AnonymousJanuary 18,2026 at 1:40PM UTC

    I agree with your gut. Mentioning (termination) twice to you is so unprofessional. And what was told to you is an HR and the company issue... Since she mentioned termination to you twice, I would ask "What was the former employee terminated for". You may not get an answer, of course, but just put it out there.She she opened that door for you to worry and be concerned; and if you're going to decline the offer, I would be honest and tell them why.

45. Alice StokerJanuary 18,2026 at 1:44PM UTC

    Trust your gut.

46. AnonymousJanuary 18,2026 at 1:55PM UTC

    Always listen to your gut

47. The Prototype LiveJanuary 18,2026 at 2:00PM UTC

    I would say if you have a current job, at least, you know the dynamics on how to maintain it. I would not leave something stable that you dislike for something potentially unstable that you already dislike. But that is just my opinion.

48. AnonymousJanuary 18,2026 at 6:07PM UTC

    Once took a job despite my gut saying don’t do it. I should hav listened to my gut.. thankfully I got a new position within 9 months.

49. Veronica BentonJanuary 18,2026 at 10:50PM UTC

    Trust your gut. Yes the job market is difficult right now, so you don’t want to get stuck in a job where you are concerned about being terminated.

50. AnonymousJanuary 19,2026 at 1:22PM UTC

    Agree. Always trust your gut. You'll start with anxiety daily, which impacts your performance.

51. AnonymousJanuary 19,2026 at 1:28PM UTC

    I didn't accept the role. One of the Glassdoor reviews stated that they were let go with a video farewell and immediately locked out of the systems. I was very concerned due to several other things as well. I am disappointed that didn't work out because my current role is taking so much out of me due to my poisonous manager.

52. AnonymousJanuary 19,2026 at 1:55PM UTC

    Trust your gut, we pick up on some many clues. Personally, I went against my gut and the first week red flags piled up. Also, I think you picked up on some nonverbal clues as well - you don't have to be expert cia agent to notice a lie. In hindsight, this is what i wished I had taken away instead of saying yes when my gut said no. "No to this means I am ready and able to say yes to what I really want the universe is testing me to make sure I can handle something greater. This is just a test." Regardless of what you do - never settle this is your your life. Lastly, if you take the position document everything - based on what you said in the post above.

53. Leigh Ann NicholsonJanuary 19,2026 at 5:05PM UTC

    Sometimes you just have to follow that feeling that it's wrong even though you want out of where you are.

54. Mayra L. JimenezJanuary 19,2026 at 7:01PM UTC

    I would trust your intuition. It does not lie. The fact that they're already talking about "termination" isn't a very good sign. Thankfully, you have a position so you're not desperate to take it. I understand working for a horrible manager, but right now the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Good Luck!

55. LaceeJanuary 21,2026 at 5:00PM UTC

    Honestly, I would stay where you are and continue to search for another job. Going from one bad place of employment to another is awful. Trust me, I just did that. I was at a job where my supervisor was the HR/Controller and she was so rude, hateful even, at times. After almost two years I started looking for another job as an HR Generalist. I was called in for an interview with another company and I looked at their reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor and they were absolutely terrible, in particularly about the HR staff ( which I later learned consists of the HR Generalist and HR Director, two people). I took the job. I quit after 59 days which is something I have never, ever done. Everything that was posted in the reviews I'd read where the truth and my new manager gave me very bad energy during my interviews. I should have stayed with the other company. I hate to say it, but sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

56. AnonymousJanuary 22,2026 at 2:43AM UTC

    Thank you for sharing this and I am so sorry this happened to you. I am working in a very bad environment currently and just today my manager was acting very hateful. It is getting very hard to continue to have a good attitude, but I am trying. This job market is really awful, and it seems that there are a lot of bad jobs out there.

57. Terri RadomskiJanuary 21,2026 at 6:03PM UTC

    That may be your intuition telling you something is wrong. I would keep looking and pass on this.