The Bert Show (Pionaire Podcasting)

Episode Summary: "Vault: Do Adults Really Spy On Each Other?"

Date: December 16, 2025
Hosts: Bert & The Bert Show Cast (Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, Zoe, Santa, et al.)

Overview

This episode dives into the ethically murky world of "adult spying" in the workplace. The cast reacts to a listener call from "Joe," a man hired under unusual circumstances to covertly observe colleagues and report on their productivity—information that will be used to choose who is laid off in an impending round of downsizing. The show explores Joe’s motivations and actions, the fairness and legality of such practices, and the human impact on the employees. Throughout, the hosts and callers challenge the morality and legitimacy of Joe’s spying and of the boss who orchestrated the scheme.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe's Story: The Undercover Office Spy

[02:24 - 04:14]

• "Joe" calls in, explaining he was hired by a family friend (a company boss) to join a prominent company and secretly monitor workers and supervisors.
  • Quote:
    "I've been hired... to get a report [on] who's working hard and who isn't during the day. And I've seen a lot of very interesting things." — Joe, [02:24]
• Joe describes observing a workplace of 18 employees, with plans to cut down to 12.
• He admits he is underqualified (“No, not really.” [04:08]) and is paid an annual equivalent of $80,000.

Moral Grey Area

• Listeners and hosts question:
  • Is this not the role of managers?
  • Is this ethical/fair?
  • Could it be discriminatory?
• Joe confides he's taken personal likes and dislikes into account. For example, a coworker who never took him to lunch isn’t faring well in his assessment.

2. Workplace Observations

[04:34 - 09:04]

Perceived Bad Behaviors

• Women gossiping on the phone for hours, a man misusing the internet (“doing things he shouldn’t be doing”), and general slacking abound.
• There’s “Gassy,” a worker who takes three 30-minute bathroom breaks daily:
  • Quote:
    "There's a gentleman that spends 30 minutes in the bathroom... takes long bathroom breaks…he's very productive…but…I’m on the fence about him." — Joe, [06:08]
  • Hosts and listeners push back—could this be a disability?
  • Joe reveals "Gassy" gave him Braves baseball tickets, making him less likely to be cut—prompting accusations of bias.

The Hypochondriac and "Sweetie Pie"

• "The Hypochondriac” is a woman constantly claiming illness—Joe says she's bright but feels her negative attitude and incessant complaints impact morale.
• "Sweetie Pie,” a woman Joe is “romantically interested in,” is deemed “safe,” regardless of her work quality.
  • Quote:
    "She's wonderful and nothing's happened yet, but I think it will eventually... she's not the best worker." — Joe, [10:49, 11:02]
• Hosts and callers call out Joe’s clear subjectivity, noting the risk of firing strong employees for trivial or unfair reasons.

3. Ethical and Legal Ramifications

[12:30 - 17:28]

• HR Consultant calls:

  • Raises Title VII and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act); firing based on gossip, medical issues, or attractiveness is legally risky.
    • Quote:
      "He's all over Title Seven...you can't fire people for any kind of discriminatory reason...Gassy could have a disability." — HR Consultant, [12:55]
  • Even in Georgia’s “right to work” context, employers must document justification (the “matrix”) for layoffs, especially for protected groups (over 45, etc.).
  • Employees have a right to see the basis for their selection.

• Hosts & Callers React:

  • The boss is blamed for poor management practices.
  • Joe is criticized for immaturity and lack of professionalism.
  • Listeners warn about real-life consequences—loss of livelihood and difficulty finding new employment.

4. Morality, Human Impact, and Accountability

[18:00 - 19:56]

• Bert presses Joe to consider the lives impacted by his assessment.
  • Quote:
    “These are lives at stake, man... people that deserve to be in that office.” — Bert, [18:01]
  • Joe retorts:
    “Yeah, but my life's at stake too, and this is a job for me. And he's gonna do the thing anyway.” — Joe, [18:10]
  • Listeners counter that ethical conduct matters, even if it affects your own job.
• Joe insists he will report concrete behavior but continues to cite subjective and personal experiences as justification.

5. The Boss's Responsibility and Limits of At-Will Employment

[13:23 - 16:48]

• Even in at-will states, arbitrary or undocumented firings open companies to lawsuits.
• If layoffs occur, especially for protected characteristics (age, disability), the employer must supply evidence.
• Employees can and do fight back when their livelihoods are unfairly threatened.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There are a few people... who haven’t been so nice to me…and he’s not looking good. Not a very nice guy.” — Joe, [03:19]
• “Some of the girls are four hours on the phone with their friends...they act like they’re working, but they’re gossiping.” — Joe, [03:37]
• “Come on, how fair is this?” — Bert, after Joe admits sports tickets sway his judgment, [07:39]
• “You’re abusing this position.” — Concerned Listener, [07:45]
• “She’s not even a good worker.” — Bert, about "Sweetie Pie", [11:02]
• “He is all over Title Seven…you can’t fire people for any kind of discriminatory reason.” — HR Consultant, [12:55]
• “If there’s no file on these people…and you don’t have a file of any complaints…I would absolutely have a problem with that.” — Concerned Listener, [13:10]
• “I think you’re forgetting that these are lives at stake here, man.” — Bert, [18:01]
• “You sound…like a very insecure person who needs a lot of attention.” — Skeptical Listener, [18:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:11] — Introduction to the main topic: Do adults spy on each other?
• [02:24 – 04:14] — Joe describes his undercover role and methods.
• [06:08 – 08:11] — Discussion of “Gassy” and ethical concerns over bathroom breaks/possible disabilities.
• [08:17 – 09:58] — The “Hypochondriac” and how Joe’s bias shapes outcomes.
• [11:02 – 11:49] — “Sweetie Pie,” workplace crush, and how favoritism affects decision-making.
• [12:32 – 16:48] — HR experts weigh in on legality and consequences.
• [18:00 – 19:56] — Final confrontation: Ethical ramifications and listeners’ reaction.

Tone & Style

The episode utilizes the Bert Show’s trademark blend of humor, real talk, and listener engagement. The cast is witty but also expresses indignation and concern at the situation, urging listeners to consider the moral gravity of workplace decisions.

Overall Impression

This episode offers an unvarnished, sometimes uncomfortable look at what can happen when unqualified individuals are asked to make important staffing decisions, the hidden ways adults "spy" on each other, and the profound ethical, legal, and human consequences of such surveillance. While at times lighthearted, the cast draws a hard line on the importance of fairness, transparency, and workplace dignity.

For those considering similar schemes—employers, beware. For employees—know your rights.