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 underm ined 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 sh ow 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 an 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.

Hello All. I know it has been almost 4 months since I posted, but I'm back.🥳Unfortunately, after my favorite Holiday (👻Halloween👻). 🥲I couldn't even post my Halloween stuffs.😔 I'll just have to make up for it another year! Anyway, let's get right to it, shall we? Today, I've got Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day on the brain--with a little dash of Christmas (we will get to that in a moment). I'm an American so, of course, we are all used to Thanksgiving here, but I think it is strange to celebrate Thanksgiving without remembering that Native Americans were the reason that we should have been thankful in the first place. For their sacrifices, their humble nature, and their willingness to teach the very people who would one day bring about much of their ruin. Of course, we should also celebrate their survival and their innovative minds that furthered America as we know it today. I mean, could one imagine modern day America without rubber, suspension bridges? Without corn? I think not. Considering that I have Blackfoot (my grand parents on my father's side of the family) and Cherokee (great grand parents on my mother's side) Native blood coursing through my veins, I feel like my lack of thanks for their roles in my freedom and life today is shameful. I realized that America has a way of continuing to drown out those aspects of my culture and identity just as much as these as a Black person. My Black heritage, however, has very little to offer me besides my parents, and three out of four grandparents. I cannot pinpoint the tribes that gave me the other part of my blood and unfortunately, all of my grandparents and greats passed young. This isn't an uncommon occurrence for Black families in America, but it makes me all the more grateful for knowing a single thing about the rest of my familial line. Still, thinking about this both frustrates and humbles me. To such a point that I have started to incorporate more of this history into my life. But it was also in this time that I was making peace with my inner storms and the like this month that something else happened. Christmas bells, chestnuts roasting on open fires, Mirah Carrey's "All I Want for Christmas" (which is apparently getting its own animated film), and Santa Claus began making their appearance before November turkey and Native dances. Can't we have feathers before ornaments around here? The stuff is everywhere you turn. In the stores, flooding social media..what an endless cycle before its time. And all of this after I have hardly processed the end of Halloween chocolates, scary movies, and hocus pocus decorations😩. The audacity of Christmas . I mean, C'mon . On the bright side, this is the only time of the year that the amount of hot chocolate I drink on a regular basis isn't scrutinized. In summer people think I'm nuts. October through November? Everyone's just riding the wave. Haha. Still, let's all be a little mindful for the end of November, yeah?

Hello Again Everyone! The perfect solution for today's gloomy day just might be a much needed movie Monday . Don't cha think?I'm just going to assume you agree. Haha. So, lovelies, here's a list of some comedies that everyone should give a watch at least once in their lifetime. Even better if you are able to enjoy them over and over again just for a laugh. That said, it's possible that you might find yourself full of several additional emotions given a few of these suggestions. So, if you're looking for buckets of fun, here's a list of comedies for all Adm Fam and visitors with a taste for the eccentric. Pootie Tang (2001). If you don't recognize this film then clearly your mom or dad never let you sit in front of the television with a bowl of cereal to watch a movie about the power of a belt on repeat and it shows. Haha. Lance Crouther and his braided ponytail gave my siblings and I quite a few laughs and I found myself chuckling just the other night as scenes from this movie crossed my mind. Undercover Brother (2002). A similar comedic ride to Pootie Tang in my mind, also watched on repeat, this one was a different but very ethnic choice for my family. With many playful jabs at an exaggerated Black American experience it is worth the watch. I loved their outfits and the platform shoes from the very first time I saw it. Besides, no matter how weird it got, everyone should recognize comedy gold when Eddie Griffin, Dave Chappelle and Neil Patrick Harris star in the same film. Murder Mystery 1 & 2 (2019/2023). When I first readied myself to watch the first film, and knowing the controversy surrounding Jennifer Anniston and Adam Sandler, I was a bit weary of what it would be like. Especially as I have never found Jen A to be partcularly funny on her own. A pleasant surprise, although not without its symbolism, awaited me. The two of them played off of each other well even if their role as a couple lacked much chemistry. All in all, film one and two, are worthy of being on the list. Since we are mentioning Sandler, who generally does quirky comedy well, Happy Gilmore (1996) and Click (2006) should probably get a mention too. Guns Akimbo (2020). I liked how unhinged this movie was for no reason, and it was nice to see Daniel Radcliffe bring a character with guns for hands to life and definitely a change from the last time he put a proper smile on my face since his villain role in Now You See Me 2 (2016, part of a film series if you've never seen it). Shaun of the Dead (2004). A zombie movie that hits all the right buttons and remains totally unforgettable throughout the passing of time much like Dead Snow from 2009. No eccentric comedy list can ever by complete without mentioning Simon Pegg. He's not just a distinctive actor in weirdly enjoyable actors but in comedy overall. Run Fatboy Run (2007) and Hot Fuzz (2007) also starring Simon Pegg should automatically get a rewatch just to bask in Pegg's light all over again for old time's sake. Defendor (2009). Woody Harrelson is no stranger to the screen, but it is something particularly funny about him playing a man who wants to be a superhero without super powers and no particular set of skills to do it. It's too bad he wasn't part of the Kick Ass film franchise. Free Guy (2021). Yet another actor that just can't be left off the list. It was a whacky movie but oh so fun. Ryan Reynolds playing an NPC irradicating his own reality? Need I say more? Actually, yes I do. Just go watch a bunch of Ryan and you'll find some joy. How nice is it that this guy is in the business? *On a side note, I really really need Ryan Reynolds and Simon Pegg to star in the same action comedy just ONE time! I could almost swear it would heal like half my life's trauma all at once. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). It's an injustice to call this one just another comedy. It is a true experience with all the bits that make art beautiful. Let's keep an air of mystery here. It'll probably be a keeper for you too. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). A low budget film but an absolutely priceless Brittish comedy that can hardly be summed up. King Arthur (loosely) on a drunk spiral to unknown depths? Haha. My old high school teacher Mr. Koric gets all the credit for introducing this one to me over a decade ago. Some movies aren't made to be forgotten.

BOOK TRAILERS Play Video Play Video CKBS Simple Trailer_Promo PURCHASE NOW Different Review Snippets.. REVIEW SNIPPETS _ CRYSTAL KEY_ Book one is a world of friendships, fierce emotions and crystals. Each character tells a strong story and the ending leaves the reader eager to jum p into a new world with the characters. I enjoyed this story and I am anxiously waiting for book two to enjoy with a cup of tea and toast in the early morning. ~MarianneH A friend of my mine said to give it a try , it didn't disappoint--Overall, a good book that reads away. ~Femke An enthralling read. This book didn't leave me wanting much...Well, except for the second book. If you are in search of a good book with a touch of humor that will keep you enthralled from start to finish, I recommend this one. ~THolmes Great start to what I hope be a great series. Every character is intriguing, making me want to know more about their res pective pasts, and even more, leaves me wanting to know how each one will grow and develop as the tale unfolds. ~ECadameyIII I really enjoyed reading the book. What I liked most was that I could not predict at any time what would happen next. I especially liked the introduction and developme nt of the characters. I felt I learned each character as they were developed. I also liked the auth or's descriptive style. The descriptions made the text come off the pages and form vivid scenes in my mind's eye . ~Loretta F. Jones **Note: All reviews mentioned above come from multiple sources and are incomplete . Most notably, via Amazon, Google Play Books, and Goodreads. Please find the full review(s) there.** MY BOOKS Buy HERE!! Buy on Amazon Buy on Waterstones Buy on Barnes and Noble Buy on Google Play Books Explore Other Writers & Artists! Explore Other Writers & Artists! Explore Other Writers & Artists! Click the banner images for more information & a link to support them! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

< Back Spares ⭐⭐⭐.5 ⭐⭐⭐. 5 /5 Stars. Spares By Michael Marshall Smith Creative technology but a cracked chip? A solid 3.5 stars for me--hit and miss. I liked that Jack wasn't made out to be a perfect character. He didn't claim such, and he often reflected on his past and actions. He knew when he had been terrible. The self-accountability goes a ways, but by the same token, he wasn't very redeemable..? Even by the end of the book, that seemed to fall flat for me. Even after knowing what he did to the monster in "The Gap". At least he was witty. I don't really like sci-fi, but I found the tech a pretty creative aspect of the book and the some of what I enjoyed the most (the opposite of my norm for this genre) . My favorite parts of the book dealt with the curiously motivated robots & microchips (Rachet), talking refrigerators, sassy computer program interfaces / "versonalities" and the use of certain characters like Vinaldi. The writing style is hit and miss. And some backstory seems misplaced. Especially as it concerns "The Gap." Their experiences lose some of their meaning with the excessive use of drugs (mentioned below), unneccessary terminology, and paragraphs dotted along the book that gives the reader information, half of which lead to a dead end. Not to mention that it seems like it was supposed to offer a sense of intrigue and chaos. Only, it never totally got there. Though I can't say the writing didn't add to the chaotic side of things. As a reader, you can get lost in sudden vagueness amongst the crazy and end up understanding even less than before. The romance between Nearly and Jack was, in my opinion, underdeveloped and not really necessary ? Nearly, for her experiences in the shady bits of life, also seemed fairly immature and child-like at the oddest times. It made more sense for them to have a platonic relationship, but I can't say that I am particularly annoyed by what became of them. Other aspects of the story, particularly concerning the spares, could have been more centered. It sometimes felt overshadowed by other aspects of Jack's life or events outside of them. Which in itself felt a bit weird given that the title is based on their existence and the overlap to Jack in the first place. Also, for most of the book, the spares themselves aren't really present in any real capacity. Learning about the Farm you start to care, but it stops short. Now onto the afforementioned drugs. The Rapt drugs taking over so much of the story was a bit distasteful for my liking. I felt like it only added to the story for certain aspects of the plot and ruined others. It made sense as a harmful aspect of the dystopian, rough society, as well as soldiers coping through their sufferings, but it often buried entire pages of the book to the point of taking me out of the story. Also, even if Jack had a past with it, functioning to the point of completing almost anything with such insanely strong hallucinations and altered brain chemicals, especially those capable of driving men to lose reality , seemed much less likely. Even more that the story could progress in spite of it without going horrendously wrong. It is sci-fi, a tale of fiction, but it definitely took away from the overall experience for me.

BACK TO EP LIST TO BOTTOM Previous BACK TO TOP Next comments debug Comments (2) Log In Write a comment Write a comment Sort by: Newest Moon Aug 15, 2023 She looks cool Fu#k made him beg but stole some of the money? Cold When he kissed her hand 🫴🤲 Like Reply ~Tiffany H.~ May 29, 2023 Yaassssssss!!!!! Lol, bet he will think twice about harassing people from now on. Like Reply