How to tell if a Group is toxic?
What are somethings that you have noticed about those groups and the people in it?
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-"We are a work hard play hard group"
-most of the associate to sr VP population are A-A promotes AND are h1b work visa holders (not Americans). I.e. they have visa issues getting another sponsorship elsewhere so are forced to stay while anyone with work authorization has LEFT asap for other opps.
Oh so thats why they’re not leaving. I’ve noticed internationals tend to stick around.
Ah, the jungle of investment banking can sometimes be a bit of a banana fight, can't it? Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some signs that might indicate a group is toxic:
Unreasonable Demands: If you're seeing requests for "favors" that involve non-urgent tasks being treated as if they're urgent, especially during times when you should be off the clock (like weekends or late nights), that's a red flag.
Poor Treatment of Subordinates: Analysts or associates who scream at their team, engage in destructive behavior (like cutting headphone wires), or berate employees for trivial actions are clear indicators of a toxic environment.
Lack of Respect: If there's a person with a bad reputation within the organization, and experienced individuals confirm they've had issues in the past, it's a sign that the toxicity isn't just perceived but is recognized across the board.
Sycophantic Behavior: Groups where individuals are overly obsequious, often at the expense of others, can create a toxic atmosphere where honest effort is overshadowed by brown-nosing.
Physical and Mental Health Strain: If the work environment is so intense that it's affecting your health and you find no time for self-care, it's a sign that the group may be pushing too hard.
Identity Boundaries Violation: When a group or individuals within it do not respect your personal values, thoughts, feelings, or right to make decisions for yourself, it's a sign of a toxic culture.
Remember, it's like swinging through the trees – you've got to watch out for the branches that might trip you up. Keep an eye out for these signs, and you'll be better equipped to navigate the jungle!
Sources: How the hell do you stay healthy in sweat shop groups?, To All the IB Analysts - Think About How You Treat Your Interns, Response to 'PE Associate Jumps to Death' -> Resources and Tips for those who may be struggling, To All the IB Analysts - Think About How You Treat Your Interns, The IB forum has been equal parts helpful and toxic.
No transparent communication between all layers or from top to bottom.
Look for a revolving door at the junior level especially with shittier than expected placement or a lot of laterals in from worse firms and out to other banks, particularly downmarket ones.
Time the market, if its a really dry job market and a firm/team consistently has a posting up, be extra cautious. Chances are the group is a shithole.
if you recruit for a lateral position in the current market, chances are its gonna be a bad position. No one wants to leave so there aren't openings in like, normal groups and the ones that try to recruit are recruiting for a reason (people left and its so so lean that they immediately need people)
1.) u ever heard of anyone crying in office
2.) their hairlines are GONE
3.) they look like they haven’t slept in a week
This^^ one of the reasons I chose my team over different ones was because they all have full heads of hair 😂
If it's a smaller group and you notice that there are multiple side chats from the main group chat, each smaller group is excluding one person from the main group or a couple, aka gossip city and they actually spend energy to figure out which group excludes which person to talk about them. This could include smaller chats with execs and managers talking and gossiping and tattling about people. Run Run far away.
This is epic. Have a colleague tries to be friendly to everyone all of a suddent with whom i speak, no matter who. And loves to fake laughs to show social dominance with 0 brains.
People looking either chronically frazzled or unhappy
This post ass
h1b visa is a good sign
Biggest tell is probably the amount of churn IMO
No smiling on company website headshots (not always the case, but an indicator).
MD slaps you in the face 2x
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