We're not family

Welcome to Career Insider. “We’re family,” you might read on a job application. It sounds nice, doesn’t it?

But is that a red flag? It turns out that, yeah, it is.

In fact, Harvard Business Review wrote about how the so-called family culture harms employees because it sets expectations that may not be in your best interest (see this study in the links section of this email).

It’s critical to understand that business is business. Family is family.

They often don’t mix.

EMPLOYMENT
Your employer is not your family

One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing the “we’re family” line and then being kicked to the curb when things get rough.

I remember one Friday like it was yesterday. I was called into my boss’s office and was told there wasn’t any more work for me. I was being laid off.

I was instantly stunned.

This was less than a year after I moved across the country to take the job. I worked hard, often the first one in the office every morning. And here they are, a company full of “family”, letting me go because they didn’t have enough money or work to keep me employed.

It was the first time I learned never to believe the “We’re family here!” line because you’re not. Your employer is out for their best interest, and you should be, too. Don’t let your guard down.

You may like your job. You might even like your coworkers and your boss.

And if you do, that’s great. Enjoy it! But remember, things change. Companies get acquired. Bosses move. Policies become more strict.

This is a friendly reminder not to get too comfortable in your position.

Things can (and will) pull a 180 in a split second.

P.S. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer. But it had to be said. :)

TOP EMPLOYERS
Here are the best companies to work for

Not all companies are created equally (but you already know that). Some are great. Others, not so much. Here are the Top 10 best companies to work for in 2024, according to Glassdoor.

Believe it or not, a fast food restaurant made the top 6.

10: Fidelity Investments

Why? “Good pay, good management, good benefits, competitive but encouraging environment, good work-life balance.“

9: 2020 Companies

Why? “Flexible schedules. Remote or in-person options. Several career options. Great team members. Job security…”

8: Deltek

Why? “Great culture - team and family-oriented. Great team and management support. Flexible hours.”

7: VMware

Why? “Remote-friendly culture. Interesting projects to work on. Management is very competent. Top-tier pay and benefits.”

6: In-N-Out Burger

Why? “Vision and dental insurance, legal advice, sick/vacation pay. Profit sharing via 401k and insurance. Training.”

5: Procure Technologies

Why? “Great company with a long-term vision for success. Procore values career growth…”

4: MathWorks

Why? “Supportive colleagues, good work-life balance, fair compensation, an option to work from home.”

3: ServiceNow

Why? “High morale, growth opportunities, great work-life balance, great leadership.”

2: NVIDIA

Why? “Workplace flexibility, great culture, my leadership, and peers are very supportive.”

1: Bain & Company

Why? “The culture is amazing. Benefits are amazing. Teammates are amazing.”

Check out the complete list here.

CLICKS
Career news and insights worthy of your click

• Harvard Business Review thinks “we’re family” harms staff.
  

• Don’t fall for the “we are a family” trap, ever.
  

• Stop trying to follow your passion. Do this instead.
  

• How to strike while the iron is hot at professional conferences.