There are key factors to consider when seeking an employment opportunity with a company. Pay, location, skill set and hours are essential factors to consider. Yet often,  perspective employees are so focused on the skills, location, hours and pay that they do not consider other factors that could come into play once employed that could directly impact job satisfaction and job security. Many employees find themselves in an employment situation that does not meet one of the most important and essential needs of the employee, one that is often overlooked or taken for granted, and that need is emotional well-being. Emotional well-being is the ability to recognize and the capacity to exercise a positive emotional outcome to challenging and stressful situations. It involves an appropriate level of control in good and bad circumstances. How does this apply to the workplace? Current research indicates an increase in workplace bullying, ineffective leadership and a decline in workplace safety and satisfaction. A particularly important and basic question to ask yourself when considering an employment opportunity is: is this job a good fit for me? You have considered how you might be a good asset to the company, but is the company a good fit for you? To help you in determining this, there are questions to consider:

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1. Do research to learn about the culture of the organization or if invited to interview, have a list of questions to assist in your selection process.

2. Do the policies and philosophy of the organization align with your philosophy and goals?

3. Leadership changes? Do they occur often? This could be representative of issues or conflicts within the company.

4. Employee turnover? Do employees quit their jobs a lot at this company? Again, this could be an important red flag regarding employee satisfaction and security about their place or relevance within the company.

5. Are there known ethical issues and violations within the company?

6. What is the process for addressing employee concerns?

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This list of questions is not exhaustive but these are some questions to give a glimpse into the culture and practices of the organization. Most perspective employees with an interest in a company have some knowledge of the company through an employee already employed there, or through other conversations or research about the company. Some perspective employees will disregard negative information or find it irrelevant at this stage of the employment process. Also, most perspective employees have heard information via rumors that upon employment, are unfortunately proven to be true.

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Is the job a good fit for you? Do the position and culture at the organization best serve your emotional well-being? Perhaps, the answer to this question is relative. In the beginning it was, but now it is not. Identify the issues to determine if your legal rights are implicated. If so, understand your legal rights, how to address the issues and how to seek appropriate redress.