Red flags checklist
Use this checklist to spot risk early — before you waste time, share documents, or sign anything.
Pay & money
- “We’ll pay cash / off the books” or unclear tax situation.
- No exact numbers: hourly rate / salary / overtime rules are vague.
- They promise “bonuses”, but can’t explain how they are calculated.
- They avoid putting pay details in writing.
Tip: Ask for a written summary: rate, hours/week, overtime/holiday pay, pay date.
Hiring process
- Pressure: “Decide today”, “Sign now”, “You’ll lose the offer tomorrow”.
- Different answers from different people (pay, schedule, role).
- They refuse to answer key questions by email.
- They ask for personal documents too early (before offer/contract).
Tip: If they rush you, slow down: good employers can explain terms calmly.
Contract & stability
- Contract appears at the last minute (or after you start).
- Job duties are overly vague: “other tasks as needed” without limits.
- Probation and notice period are unclear (or one-sided).
- They don’t give you a copy of the signed contract.
Tip: Never start without a contract or a written offer with key terms.
Culture, safety & turnover
- Same complaints repeated across reviews (pay, overtime, disrespect).
- High staff turnover or “everyone here works 12 hours” is normalized.
- Manager is rude at the interview — it rarely improves later.
- They downplay safety or training (“you’ll figure it out”).
Tip: 2–3 red flags = pause and verify. 4+ = consider walking away.