Many companies allow workers to form specific mentorship and support groups for employees of color and state that they treat workers who have same-sex partners in the same fashion as married couples. Even if these policies are not specifically germane to the prospective employee, they do indicate an open-minded and tolerant work environment. Tolerance to the needs of the individual employee, temperamentally as well as in regards to membership in specific groups, can make the difference between a workplace that is a pleasure to go to every day vs. A chore.
Of course, it is difficult to get a sense of what an employer is like, based purely upon observations and interviews. Talking to present and former employees is also a good way to gain a sense of what daily life is like in the workplace -- the pressures employees face or...
Noting how long employees remain with the company is another statistic to be mindful of when comparing future employers.
Many workplaces also have formal programs to promote high-performing employees, such as giving workers the opportunity for employees to continue their education at a local university with tuition reimbursement and other opportunities to pursue additional certification and bolster the employee's credentials. An employer showing an interest in the future of employees suggests that employees are viewed as valued assets, rather than expendable commodities. A worker should seek out an employer that regards him or her as an asset and a crucial part of the organization's workings, not a mere cog in a wheel that can be easily replaced.
