Manipulative tactic finds its way into the workplace
One wouldn't normally associate the terms "love bombing" with the workplace, but in the face of tight market for talent, some recruiters are resorting to this practice to get ahead.
Love bombing has been defined as a tactic abusers use to manipulate an individual into getting in a relationship with them. The Cleveland Clinic said it involves:
- Excessive flattery and praise
- Over-communication of their feelings for an individual
- Showering an individual with unneeded/unwanted gifts
- Early and intense talks about their future together
While it usually takes place in romantic relationships, there have been various accounts where employers are guilty of love bombing as early as the recruitment process.
Over-zealous recruiters
The BBC recently reported about the case of a 46-year-old individual from Washington, DC, who said she was "basically offered the job right away."
According to the report, the offer included various perks, such as the in-demand remote work, which never actually happened when she started at her former organisation.
Sally Hunter, a UK-based managing director at the global talent-acquisition firm Cielo, told BBC that many recruiters may not even realise that they're love bombing an employee.
"Recruiters are natural salespeople and optimists, so these behaviours come from a well-intended place, and they do expect the candidate to secure the role and enjoy the role," she told BBC.
There are recruiters, however, who could be love bombing staff because they are on a "low base salary and living through commission," according to Hunter.
Samorn Selim, a career coach based in Los Angeles, added that there are organisations that tend to come on too strong to candidates so they can have as many talent options as possible.
Love bombing at work
But instances of love bombing don't end at the recruitment stage. It can also happen between managers and their employees.
In the Black Australia previously reported that workplace love bombing can manifest when a manager treats an employee with overwhelming positivity. But after this comes the silent treatment, according to Athena Ali, career coach and founder of The Get Noticed Coach, who spoke to In the Black about her experience.
Ali said victims of love bombing can either not get their work done or will do their job in fear.
How to avoid love bombing
Nowadays, individuals try to take watch for red flags, or indications of potential problems, before getting into a relationship.
In the workplace, love bombing has signs too.
Experts who have spoken to various publications said candidates should be wary about recruiters making overpromises and avoiding being transparent. After hiring, they should also be careful of "unrealistic" or "overwhelmingly positive" feedback.
For employers, they should be more transparent about what they can offer to avoid overpromising on pay and benefits.
"I believe businesses would benefit from a recruitment standpoint if they were more transparent around the wages that they can offer," said Callam Pickering, Indeed's APAC Senior Economist.
