Key Qualities of a Good Employer
By: Anni Friedrichs
Tags: Life Lessons, Work, Office, Post Graduation, Workplace

Onboarding

Any respectable company will make sure you’re properly trained. Even if you’re already an expert with years of experience, every workplace has its own specifications regarding workflow, decorum, and IT, just to name a few. Whether you’re a trainee who needs to be shown the ropes or a newly-hired team leader, the introduction is important. You should feel like you’re prepared for what’s to come, and like you’re steadily gaining autonomy.

Communication

This first part of your work experience, along with every other one, hinges on good communication. Are people being honest with you and do they give you the information you need to get your work done? Do you feel like you’re allowed to ask questions or ask for help if you need a second pair of eyes or some advice? Does it generally feel like people are trying to collaborate and like they are open with one another, not just with you? Do people introduce themselves to newcomers? Is there gossip? Pay attention to the culture at your workplace. Just by listening, you’ll be able to gain some important insight.

Respect for your time

It doesn’t matter how new you are or how trivial your tasks — everyone should be respectful of your time and your to do list. Deadlines and emergencies are one thing, and maybe it would be wise to make an exception to this rule for your boss, but it’s always a good sign if someone asks you if you have the time for a certain thing, thanks you for the time you took completing something, or tries to adapt their schedule to match yours when you have to work together. This really struck me (positively) when I first started out. I was under the impression I’d be at everyone’s beck and call, but knowing that I don’t have to drop everything or go into overtime at a moment’s notice has made me feel a lot less nervous. Depending on your work style, usually it’s a good thing to be able to finish one task before starting another one, as well. A good work environment means having a clear picture of what you have to do at a given point, with some idea what the next day or week will look like.

Hierarchies

A boss who treats you badly because they’re at the top of the food chain or a supervisor/team leader that rubs it in your face that they’re indispensable don’t really have a place in modern offices anymore. There can be a hierarchy without mistreatment and disrespect. If there’s no one ordering other people around and no one’s scared to knock on any doors, chances are you’ve found the right place.

Feedback

Feedback should always be mutual, i.e. it should be clear whether or not you’re doing a good job and what your strengths and weaknesses are, but there should also be some focus on whether or not you are happy with your work. For my current job, this started with the application process. Everyone stressed repeatedly that they would like me to think about whether or not the company was a good fit. I felt as though they were taking me seriously from the beginning; it felt like a negotiation on an even playing field rather than me having to desperately prove myself and agree with everything. It was welcoming, and continues to be something my employer does for me two months down the line.

Friendship

Technically, becoming friends with your coworkers is not necessary. Maybe you don’t even want to. But an overall sense of camaraderie is really helpful. Can you tell whether or not people who have been there for a while share positive memories? Are there anecdotes, pictures, inside jokes, traditions? Do they make or bring each other coffee? I wouldn’t really want to work at an office where friendly chats, little favours, and a general sense of (possible) friendship weren’t welcome (and I want to share my baked goods with coworkers).