Join-Company

Perfect — let’s make a Startup-Safe Checklist that you can use before joining any company, so you never get exploited again. I’ll keep it practical, actionable, and easy to follow.

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🚨 STARTUP-SAFE CHECKLIST FOR JUNIOR / REMOTE DEVELOPERS

1️⃣ Offer & Agreement

• Get a written Offer Letter / Employment Agreement
• Confirm job title and role
• Confirm salary / monthly CTC / pay cycle
• Check probation period and salary during probation
• Ensure notice period is defined for leaving the company

Red flag: “We’ll give documents later” → walk away

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2️⃣ Work Scope & Project Clarity

• Ask for Statement of Work (SOW) / Product Requirement Document (PRD) / BDD
• Confirm features and tasks are documented
• Confirm acceptance criteria (“what counts as done”)
• Confirm change request process (any new task = new agreement or extra pay)

Red flag: “Tasks will be explained verbally / requirements keep changing” → walk away

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3️⃣ Hours & Leave

• Confirm working hours (e.g., 9–5 or 9–6)
• Confirm weekly off (Sat/Sun)
• Check overtime policy / compensation
• Check leave policy (paid sick leave, casual leave, etc.)

Red flag: “We work whenever needed, no documentation” → walk away

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4️⃣ Salary & Payments

• Payment in bank transfer only (never cash only)
• Confirm salary breakup (basic + allowances)
• Confirm pay date (monthly, fixed)
• Any bonus or incentives should be in writing

Red flag: “Salary will be decided later / trust-based pay” → walk away

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5️⃣ Intellectual Property & Confidentiality

• NDA / Confidentiality Agreement (if working on company code/project)
• IP Assignment Agreement (clearly defines who owns code/work)
• Confirm you keep portfolio rights if allowed

Red flag: “Everything belongs to us, even unpaid work / no documents” → walk away

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6️⃣ Health & Safety / Workplace Behavior

• Confirm health & safety policies (especially for office work)
• Check harassment / grievance policy
• Confirm online/remote reporting channels if team spreads rumors or blame

Red flag: “We don’t have HR / just manage yourself” → walk away

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7️⃣ Exit Policy

• Confirm final settlement rules
• Confirm how notice period works
• Confirm any deductions / claims at exit

Red flag: “Exit policy will be decided later” → walk away

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8️⃣ Company Red Flags Checklist

• Avoid companies that refuse documents
• Avoid companies that promise future benefits but no current clarity
• Avoid companies that push unpaid overtime
• Avoid companies with toxic team behavior
• Avoid companies where projects have no clear scope or plan

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✅ Quick “10-Second Test” Before Joining

Ask these 3 questions:

1. “Can I get the Offer Letter and salary details in writing before joining?”
2. “Is there a clear scope or PRD/BDD for my work?”
3. “Are my work hours, leaves, and exit policy documented?”

• If any answer is vague → do not join

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This checklist protects you legally, financially, and emotionally.

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If you want, I can also make a 1-page “Startup Safe Job Template” — basically a ready-to-use email / checklist to send to any company before joining — so you never work without protection.

Do you want me to make that next?

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