We’ve seen recruiters ghost candidates and employers catfish new hires, but now beige flags are the latest dating trend to cross over into the workplace.

While a red flag is a screaming sign something isn’t right and a green flag reflects the opposite, a beige flag, according to Urban Dictionary, is something that’s neither good nor bad and while it isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it will make you pause for thought when you notice it.

If ignored completely, it can result in problems down the line. In a professional context, ignoring beige flags at recruitment stage can result in career stagnation or demotivation as you realise that maybe this wasn’t the right role for you after all. Here’s how to spot them.

Vague job descriptions

If a job description doesn’t clearly state what the role is responsible for, and what it looks like on a day-to-day basis, it’s probably because the company themselves don’t know.

While an all-hands-on-deck approach is common within the beauty industry, lack of clarity around role responsibilities can result in career stagnation as it’s not clear what’s needed to move forward.

It also can indicate that a company is run in a chaotic and reactive way, which isn’t conducive with a healthy work life balance.

Obvious perks

Hybrid working is no longer a perk, it’s considered a standard when it comes to desk-based beauty roles.

Listing fluffy benefits is a beige flag as what employees really want are tangible, and financial, benefits, for example pension contribution, health insurance, parental support and flexible working, in the true sense of the word.

If a company is listing free coffee as a benefit in its job description, consider this your beige flag warning!

Family environment

Your workplace is not a family and shouldn’t be treated as such – it needs clear boundaries and rules to function correctly.

Families run on unconditional love and constant sacrifice, companies run on top tier performance, hierarchy and consequences.

Quirky titles

Office Ninja anyone? Like dating, if an employer is at pains to make itself sound cool, the reality is probably the opposite. Beauty professionals don’t need quirky job titles to feel important, they need their work to be respected and valued.