Is it a red flag when the CEO keeps reinforcing they want someone for the long run and complains a lot about a former employee who after almost 7 years went to a place that pays more because they had a baby?
It is a small startup, but exists for many years because it is a very important project for this founder. I understand how important the project is for the person (their life work/research), but they talk about hiring someone that respects the work as much as they do. I cannot predict the future, I would like to stay longer in a job, but I also want to have a baby next year and I cannot promise I won't change my mind about staying.
I have been searching jobs since September, when I run away from a startup that I was working for because of an incredibly toxic CEO (I dealt with him every day). Since then, I started interviews with all the biggest tech companies, but all the processes ended up in a hiring freeze and I even accepted an offer in December from a startup that also ended up in a hiring freeze in January. I really need and want to work, I am grateful that I got an offer, but I am also a bit traumatized by my previous experience, so I am overanalyzing any opportunities now. Ideally, I would like to go to a company that has an HR and a bit of distance from the CEO, but I am interviewing for just another company and the one that I described gave me an offer.
Verity
Studying Level 5 Cyber and Forensic Security
225
03/13/23 at 4:09PM UTC
I feel that because it is a small business, people leaving will always be taken personally. Despite this, the boss is being childish by expecting employees to stay when there is a better opportunity out there for them - especially when the employee has a child.
I would say this is toxic and to be careful around this employer - do not allow them to guilt you or make you feel bad for leaving when you have been offered a better position/pay and are doing what is best for you.
Anonymous
03/14/23 at 1:26PM UTC
You helped a lot, thank you!!
Anonymous
03/10/23 at 9:25PM UTC
The business is personal so everything that happena will be taken personally.
Anonymous
03/10/23 at 5:27PM UTC
Yup! Red flag alert. The reality is no company / leadership should want people to stay on for the long haul. I believe when you're under great leadership, they should WANT you to outgrow your role so you can expand your wings and fly elsewhere at some point.
Start up culture is notorious for "surging work" but rarely taking into account how this impacts a person's mental and physical wellbeing. Granted, CEO/Co-founders are probably the most passionate at a start up level because the focus is growing and scaling but there are healthy ways to promote that expectation with employees.
Some folks don't mind the surge culture so that's why they do it! It's really a personal decision.
How has the CEO / company talked about wellness benefits? Is that even a thing there?
I'd get really clear about the work expectations, is this like a M-F type of start up or are they expecting you to give up weekends and some nights to push out work?
The fact that people have left should also be a concern. If they have any info about their average turnover rate or tenure at said start up, that's good info to know as well! Burning through employees is never a good sign.
Get really clear and understand what the culture is like before you make a final decision. Good luck to you!
Anonymous
03/14/23 at 1:26PM UTC (Edited)
The previous startup I was working for was like that, an expectation of being available 24/7 and considering I started early I had a "founders" mindset.
Suffice it to say, I regret this immensely. It impacted so much my mental and physical health.
I believe the culture is way better on this one, as the CEO has a different mindset, the project is already in good shape, and they said I could choose which project I would like to work on. But at the same time, I would have daily meetings with the CEO, no other benefits were discussed apart from the salary, they actually complained a bit about other employees as well, and I don't like this pressure to agree to work for a long time.
Thank you so much!!
Anonymous
03/10/23 at 5:23PM UTC
Thus is not a startup but rather a small sole proprietorship that caters to an individuals life's work. Very bug difference. This company is highly personal and will not be run as a traditional business but more as a vanity project. So be warned. These situations can be difficult. No one will care about this man's life work like he does.
Anonymous
03/14/23 at 1:04PM UTC
Exactly! You got the point. And I feel like there is this expectation to care as much as they. Thank you for your help!!
