Most people have heard the saying "people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses" right? And with the tides on a wayward course to unseen waters, especially with younger generations no longer aligning with the stringent bold lines of those who came before them, I'm reminded of that very sentiment.

Although I've been out of the workforce under someone else's rule for several years now (albeit the circumstances that brought forth that change weren't ideal), I still remember all the days and nights reflecting on my workplace environments. I can intimately recall every unappreciated moment, every time I was undermined by a supervisor or manager, the boulder-weight expectations higher ups never had to be responsible for, the soreness of working too many hours on my feet and knowing my body would feel worse tomorrow. Scraping pennies together, the false "like family" statements for the most toxic places, and much more.

Today, these practices still exist despite the damage. And with the horror show that is the current and conflicting job market, there's an idiom that speaks the quiet parts out loud: when it comes to not keeping a job or the ones people refuse to work altogether, there's more than meets the eye.

So, as I am making my way uphill with the rising potential to break the chain as a boss of my own team on the horizon, I thought it a perfect time to address this topic. Regardless of the generation or spitting daggers for different experiences, bad leadership is bad leadership. If a workplace can't keep or retain workers, it's not always the little guys' fault. Sometimes, it starts at the top. Taking on that point of view...

Here's 10 Red Flags that could make for a very rotten workplace.

1. Lacking respect.

It's never hard to spot disrespect within the job. As jobseekers or current employees, we as a whole tend to ignore these things. Maybe because we assume it won't always be there, or perhaps we feel it is too late and we must deal with a degree of it to keep the job. Even customers are sometimes lacking, right?

It is true that everyone has their days and the 'customers always right' attitude is still very prevelant in society, but lacking respect in the workplace shouldn't be normalized. Even more, it encompasses more than this. Lacking respect for employees/co-workers includes not respecting boundaries (like personal questions after voiced objection), often wanting you to work overtime without adequate breaks, the boss telling you to clock-in early just because you're there and hour early, cheaping you out of overtime pay, and requesting more work after the end of shift.

2. Lacking accountability.

As surprising as it is that this problem still exists, most workplaces have a dotted line that leads around the chain. On one end you'll find a shroud of underpaid, undervalued and tired workers whose bright ideas and work ethic is often fed to the higher-ups like an ugly game of telephone version human centipede. Yikes! And on the other, the people who get the better pay and all the credit.

So, this one is for all the people that have had a supervisor, manager, and/or director turn a blind eye to a problem they were a large part of. Or when they took credit for another co-worker's task completions, work or ideas. Especially for any position that has command over others, you'll find that a lack of accountability in the workplace is a large step in a downward spiral.

3. Not sticking up for what's right.

For the most part, this one speaks for itself. I don't know about you, but if I had a nickle for every time someone other than me should have spoken up on another person's behalf, more so in the case of a leader in the workplace but didn't, I'd have been rich after my second job. Not only does it go a long way for building trust with employees, it also holds every worker accountable for their own words, actions, emotions, decisions or lackthereof. Sound familiar? Even if that meant facing another supervisor just to give someone under you a voice. That's the kind of workplace that gains and wins over their people. Falling short in this area not only breeds insecurities but shines a light on a company's lack of morals, too.

4. Dismissive words and actions.

Similarly to the last, dismissive words and actions in the workplace also spells disaster for all who enter a job. For example, ignoring the list that workers bring to your attention which makes their jobs more difficult, or what makes them unhappy. Not only does this make it more likely that workers will not inform you when problems arise, but it will also disrupt any harmony among all employeed. Sometimes, this might even include taking down the posted board in the breakroom with "harmless" jokes pinned to photos of employees faces on them that half the workplace contributes to.

5. Affable flappable.

You may wonder why this one is in its own category and perhaps even, what affable means. First off, affable means friendly, good-natured, easy to talk to.

Although it has some similarities to the previous mention on the list, this one goes beyond dismissing. It is the Inflexible. Not being open to ideas. Never making room for one-on-one talks and group meetings. It's not giving everyone the opportunity to have a voice because, for some reason or another, it's deemed unimportant. Where you would normally seek to follow a leader that is affable, it falls short. Hence, flappable.

For most things, 'importance' is subjective but that does not diminish its impact on the workplace. Regardless of how big or small something seems to be from our own point of view. Higher-ups need to leave the door of communication open, be receptive to what they hear, and keep the environment comfortable enough that everyone can speak of their feelings and thoughts in a respectful manner. A workplace where communication is not a priority is a workplace bound to failure.

6. "Family" values.

Next up is something that probably needs to be chucked out of the heads of every leader in every workplace. Most of us have been there. Sitting at a job interview, nervous and trying not to show it. Likely really needing a job as soon as tomorrow. We conjure up our remaning energy, not knowing if we will be hired in the first place. Among the interviewer's questions and comments comes that dreaded sentence: "we're like family here." Most often, your stomach drops at the sound of it and you're no longer sure you need the job that bad.

That adverse reaction, my friends, bubbles up in the tummies of most workers and job seekers because the reality is that statment and the truth usually orbit different galaxies. In today's world, these words signify a strict, heavily toxic workplace that is not only unforgiving, but will guilt trip you into more work in some shape or fashion. Not to mention, never have any true "family values" to speak of. Perhaps just as bad, they are the first to mention that a friend or family member stopping in the establishment, even if you're perfectly doing your job without distraction(s), "gets in the way of work."

If you were like me, you might have experienced this several times over until the thought of those well-mannered friends (in my case) presented a moment of benefit to the company itself. For example, when I worked at a popular company known as FROYO, I was asked not to let my friends come and sit to enjoy the yogurty goodness simply because we were close. Disregard the fact that they were paying customers who frequented the area, their own friends and family members stopping by, and that part of the enjoyment was being able to see a friend for five minutes in the checkout line. Of course, one of the nights that my manager would not be in on the bussiest day of the week in summer heat and I worked the entire store myself from opening to closing, I was quickly allowed to "request" those friends' help to clean and close so I wouldn't get paid overtime--SIGH.

So, yeah. It would be a million times better if the person saying such words were a current worker who was being genuinely honest and happily offered their opinion on the job, but if you really must say it, at least do your part to back it up. Do business and treat the workers like friends and family, or don't claim it. The reputation already speaks for itself. If anyone else uses it and doesn't go against the grain, there's no coming back from it. The company would have to consider itsellf lucky that they managed to reel anyone in after the initial claim in the first place.

7. OYO, Sorry!

This one is yet another that practically speaks for itself. It is a common occurance in a workplace with broken leadership. It could be your first day, a random weekend of little to no training, or during a time where it feels like the building is on fire and crashing down around you. The OYO, or the "you're on your own" approach that has never helped anyone. Not far from the feeling of being tossed into a year three Chinese language course when you don't know a word of the language--it is always unwelcome. The sorry is just a false sense of politeness.

It probably goes without saying but, all workplaces that leave their employees stranded aren't far from losing them forever.

8. Dishonesty.

I know what you're thinking. Didn't I cover the "dishonesty" under "lacking accountability" on the list? Well, I did mention a kind of dishonesty that might be displayed by a higher-up taking the credit for someone else's work, but this one might come as a surprise.

This shadow under the umbrella is about lying about the job. I might ruffle a few feathers with this one.

Contrary to popular opinion, sometimes it's the employers that lie, not just the occasional job seeker on their resume. Not being upfront about what the job requires (especially cold-calling or door-to-door sales), the workload, or working expectations are all lures and lies all too often utilized in the market. Bonus points here for lying to customers, while expecting employees to do the same, and making it a norm in the workplace. And in case you didn't get it, if you're doing so then absolutely no bonus points for you. In fact, negative 1000 points for each lie you've told.

Employees swallow a lot of bitter pills in the workplace, but this kind of lie only sends bile up the back of their throats on their way out the door. If dishonesty is how you gather your team, you need a better plan and marketing team. As they say, honesty is the best policy. Otherwise, assuming your company feels it cannot retain a team while being honest about the job, get going on hiring workers through visas. If it is really true that you cannot hire anyone/no one else wants the job(s), you have every reason to show it and outsource the work.

9. Perfection Expectation.

Onto number nine, yet another on the list that explains away itself. If you have a new job where you are expected to be perfect from the moment you walk in and carrying that weight around in every task, that workplace just might be rotten.

If you are still questioning the circumstances I'll give an example. This happened to me when I answered an ad in the window of a popular sushi place. Although I was told directly that experience wasn't needed, I should have known from the side eyes as I walked in for my first shift that it was going to be rough.

The shop was in an affluent area. Its Japanese owner greeted me nice enough. He fetched a paper pamphlet menu from behind the counter, pointed in a general direction towards the back of the place not far from the buffet line, and told me to seat guests. This was definitely an OYO moment (with a sprinkle of dishonesty) as he did not give me any time to learn the menu nor have anyone on the floor train me. It became evident, however, that absolute perfection was expected of me in the first 15 minutes. The third time I was told "those aren't your tables" I was pulled to the side.

The owner asked how I thought I was doing and I responded "terrible." He nodded at me and I just told him "thank you for the opportunity" and that I would just go. It was long before the planned end of my shift, but I was glad for it and never looked back. I was so mortified, confused and offended that I didn't even go back to claim my 40 dollar check from the resturant the next day. It was one of the longest 3 hours of my life. And the only time I left a job the very first day.

All said and done, I still look back at that memory and feel glad that I learned several other things to look out for when stepping onto the floor of a new workplace but no one should expect a single employee to be perfect. Of course, there were multiple failings that contributed to my negative experience in the downtown Sushi Ai that day, most of which are already listed here. However, it could have been a simple learning experience and considering the no-experience-necessary assurance, that's exactly what should have been happening there. Just don't end up like me.

As for the management, practice makes perfect, right? And first, the inexperienced has to learn. It's your job to teach the job. Strive for quality rather than an illusive and false concept like perfection. Otherwise, your rotten fruit will chase away your company's potential.

10. Workplace bullying.

Number 10 is probably your largest red flag that a workplace in a path to ruin.

The moment that you see the job placing gossip on a pedestal, or managers, supervisors and owners look the other way during incidents of harassment, defamation, slander, libel, and passive aggressive behavior, it's alredy time to get out. That's right, bolt to freedom, don't collect your 200 dollars (unless, of course, that's really your check because you'll obviously need that). In any case, it's a sign, no matter what position you have within the workplace, that things probably need an entire overhaul just to get rid of the problem. That, and many people are obviously getting away with subjecting others to terrible treatment. That's not a "little guy" problem.

Not only should any leader aim to create and upkeep a safe environment for anyone under their employ, they should care just as much about not scaring their workers by the time they've left. It hurts their chances of having any good workers return, the employees could suffer debilitating or irreversable damage to their psyche, and of course there's also the possibility of a lawsuit on the doorstep. If this sort of thing is happening at your workplace, even worse if you are/were like me and had your supervisor join in or co-workers lock you in the industrial freezer, don't expect it to simply blow over. And for the leaders? Do better.

So, there you have it.

10 Red Flags in Workplace Management.

Re-living some of these moments, it's almost surprising how easy it is to be plagued with all my original emotions. And if that isn't a deterrent to the general workplace environment of the modern world then I don't know what is. Less surprising, I know I'm not alone. We've collectively, as a people, developed scars from the very experiences that are supposed to help us live out, and afford -that's a conversation for another day-our place in society. There's always a common thread somewhere. No matter if you're considered to be Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, or whatever label surfaces next.

Now imagine the way it should be. How impactful a good workplace environment would be. One where it isn't always hard to be heard or understood. Where it isn't just blamed on the people at the bottom. Where management and the rest of the higher ups treat you like the human being you are. A place no one wants to leave because the statement "like family" is an embodiement there. Imagine green flags.

That's what everyone wants and there's nothing wrong wth younger generations knowing their worth, let alone striving for it. The truth is, workplaces like that exist but they are a rarity and near extinction.

All of us, no matter our own experiences, should encourage a world where the young continue to fight for a better future. If you have room to be offended by that then you are comfortable despite the damage because it isn't happening to you, are benefitting from the current system, or you're perpetuating it.