Learning from my years of experience, both at my own jobs, places I've interviewed for, and clients I've done work for (I do consulting/contract work), this phrase is the biggest red flag that any interviewer can say. Basically what it means when they say they are a family oriented company:
- They will expect you to go above and beyond without any increase in pay or overtime
- They will nose into every aspect of your personal life
- Chances are the owner/management has some kind of regressive political/religious/social beliefs that he/she will try to force onto everyone in the company
- Parents will always be given priority – single people or those without children are going to be expected to fill in for parents at a moment's notice
- Office politics are always the worst at these types of places, probably because everyone knows everybody's business
- Nepotism is rampant
- Beware if you have a contrary opinion to what is generally accepted as the company culture
- You will be judged for everything
I'm sure there are others that I'm missing. Feel free to add any you can think of! Just my words of wisdom!