Two easy interview questions can expose company's poor work-life balance

10 June 2023 , 08:41

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It's important to remember that a job interview goes both ways (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Job seekers have been advised to ask two easy, yet very revealing, questions during an interview, which will expose a company's poor work-life balance.

Those applying for jobs will naturally want to make a good impression on the interviewer, showcasing their skills and showing why they'd be a perfect fit for the role.

It's important to remember of course that the interview is also a chance for the company to make a good impression on you, offering a bit of insight into what sort of environment you'll be walking into on your first day.

Those hiring most likely won't highlight any of the negative aspects of the office culture, which is why these two questions in particular are so very important.

Working for a company with a good work-life balance can make all the difference to your sense of wellbeing (Getty Images/Westend61)

Speaking with HuffPost, Mary Abbajay, president of leadership development consultancy Careerstone Group, revealed that the first of these two questions should be about work flexibility and employee wellbeing.

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Abbajay explained: "If you said, 'What's your policy on work flexibility or remote work?', a company that really is invested [in a healthy work-life balance] is going to be able to reel off all their policies."

If you want to be a little more subtle with your questioning, then Abbajay advises querying about whether employees tend to take all their holiday time or asking about how exactly the company takes steps to prevent employee burnout.

Reading up on the company's values can help with this particular line of questioning. For example, enquiring about company benefits such as gym membership reimbursement.

According to Abbajay, the second of these questions should be about what your prospective boss thinks about people taking time off.

Abbajay, who encourages job seekers to "make it a little personal and get them talking", suggests asking the interviewee ask about their "personal approach to work-life balance."

She added: "I know this is a busy office. How do you handle prioritising work? How do you handle when we are overloaded with work?’"

As explained by Abbajay, who penned the book Managing Up, the answer you receive will offer a little insight into how your potential employer offers a helping hand to those who fall behind. Companies that don't have a plan in place probably won't offer the best support in this area.

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Julia Banim