Vault: She thinks she might get fired!

Summary

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The Bert Show — Vault: She Thinks She Might Get Fired!

Original Air Date: June 26, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, The Bert Show crew welcomes a listener, Mindy (identity disguised), who shares her growing concern that she might be on the verge of being fired. The issue? Her boss — usually difficult and distant — has suddenly started treating her with uncharacteristic kindness. Mindy fears this “nice streak” is a prelude to job loss, as she’s seen the same pattern happen to her predecessor. The hosts and other listeners weigh in with support, theories, and career advice, keeping things real and humorous while exploring workplace anxieties, boss behavior, and navigating tricky office dynamics.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mindy’s Situation: An Overly Nice Boss

• Mindy’s Account
  Mindy, who works as a boss’s assistant, describes her boss as historically hard to work for — micromanaging, making small tasks needlessly burdensome, and wielding his power in annoying ways:

  • “He’s the kind of guy who makes everything harder than it needs to be…he'll have me email somebody when it'd be so much easier for him just to do it himself.” (Mindy, 01:35)

• Lately, her boss is bringing her Starbucks, remembers her order, and is offering to help her with her workload instead of the usual demanding behavior.

  • "Twice last week he brought me Starbucks…and then a couple of days later, he brought the same thing, remembered what I like…he never acts like this." (Mindy, 01:35)

• Red Flag

  • Mindy reveals she saw this same pattern of “extra niceness” with the previous assistant—who was subsequently fired.
    • “Two or three weeks after all this started happening, she was fired.” (Mindy, 02:58)

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2. The Crew’s Reactions & Theories

Behavioral Shift: Promotion, Guilt, or Something Else?

• Unsettling Change
  The hosts agree a sudden change in boss behavior — from difficult to doting — can feel suspicious rather than flattering.

  • “It would weird me out…there’s a change in behavior, you know? What does this mean?” (Co-host 3, 03:23)

• Joking Comparison

  • “So it’s like the coffee or Starbucks chip was like a Judas scone…” (Host (The Bert Show), 03:15)

• Is It Just Mindy?
  Mindy confirms: “No. Which is really weird…I am his assistant…but it just doesn’t make sense…why all of a sudden?” (Mindy, 03:58)

Budgets & Layoff Worries

• Co-hosts bring up the prevalence of job cuts in the current climate, sympathizing with Mindy’s anxieties.
  • “With budget cuts and companies not doing as well as they try to show…there’s a lot of people losing their job.” (Co-host 3, 06:19)

Advice from Hosts and Listeners

• Be Strategic
  Suggestion to “kill him with kindness,” making the boss feel too guilty to fire her.

  • “Set him up with pre-guilt. Make him guilty before he even lets you go.” (Host (The Bert Show), 06:55)

• Is It Something Else — Flirting or Harassment?
  Listeners call in with more serious suspicions:

  • “Maybe the boss had liked the girl before…maybe he’s hitting on you.” (Hannah, 07:19)
  • Mindy acknowledges the worry but doubts it: “I think it’s more so just my mind playing tricks on me, because I’m worried and I’m trying to entertain every option. I don’t think that’s the case.” (Mindy, 08:04)
  • A caller suggests contacting the former assistant: “It sounds to me like…the sexual harassment is about to start…” (Megan, 08:34)
    Hosts push back, warning not to jump to conclusions:
    • “Sexual harassment’s more like…if you do this, then I’ll get you this…” (Co-host 3, 09:51)

• Documentation is Key

  • “If it does get inappropriate, get it in writing…so that someone else can see it…better case than a he said, she said.” (Co-host 3, 10:14)

Go Above Your Boss? Disagreement on Escalation

• Listener Ashley’s Experience
  • Ashley tells a parallel story: her suddenly nice boss ended up getting fired himself, which led to her own dismissal. She argues Mindy should escalate concerns:
    • “Go to his supervisor and ask…this is not his normal behavior…is there something I should be aware of?” (Ashley, 11:30)
• Host Disagreement
  • “If you have not said anything to him, don’t go to his boss…then the red flag is on you.” (Co-host 3, 12:06)
  • Mindy agrees: “I feel like it’s a little bit unprofessional to do that.” (Mindy, 12:17)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Two or three weeks after all this started happening, she was fired.” (Mindy, 02:58)
• “So it’s like the coffee or Starbucks chip was like a Judas scone…” (Host (The Bert Show), 03:15)
• “Set him up with pre-guilt. Make him guilty before he even lets you go.” (Host (The Bert Show), 06:55)
• “I think if you haven’t done anything wrong, there’s no real reason for concern. I just say do your job and do the best that you can at it and just not worry about it as much as you can.” (Co-host 1, 08:20)
• “It sounds to me like…the sexual harassment is about to start…” (Megan, 08:34)
• “If it does get inappropriate, get it in writing…better case than a he said, she said.” (Co-host 3, 10:14)
• “Go to his supervisor and ask…is there something I should be aware of?” (Ashley, 11:30)
• “If you have not said anything to him, don’t go to his boss…then the red flag is on you.” (Co-host 3, 12:06)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:28 — Mindy introduces her dilemma: nice boss, but she’s worried about getting fired based on history.
• 02:58 — Mindy reveals the prior assistant was fired after similar behavior.
• 03:54 — Mindy confirms she’s the only one receiving this new kindness.
• 06:19 — Hosts discuss layoffs and economic anxieties.
• 07:19–08:16 — Conversation about possible ulterior motives, like flirtation or harassment.
• 08:30 — Listener Megan strongly advises contacting the former assistant, concerned about a harassment pattern.
• 10:14 — Advice to document everything in writing if things get inappropriate.
• 11:30 — Ashley calls in, advocates for escalating concerns if things feel off.
• 12:06–12:20 — Debate on whether going above the boss is wise or unprofessional.

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Summary and Takeaways

• Mindy faces a classic workplace conundrum: when a problematic boss suddenly turns nice, is it cause for hope — or fears of imminent firing?
• The hosts and listeners explore possible explanations: personal guilt, approaching layoffs, innocent change of heart, or even potentially inappropriate intentions.
• Consistent advice emerges to stay vigilant, document everything, and avoid rashly escalating to upper management unless the issue becomes overt or inappropriate.
• The Bert Show closes the segment promising a follow-up on Mindy’s status in a few days, sending her off with encouragement and some classic Bert Show banter.

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For listeners: This episode is a relatable, lighthearted exploration of workplace paranoia and the signals bosses send (intentionally or not). Whether you’ve been in Mindy’s shoes or just love a lively discussion, it’s a reminder to trust your instincts, but also to seek clarity and keep cool under uncertainty.

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Transcript

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[Host (The Birch Show)]

the Birch show and now we have to talk to Mindy. Okay, the problem with Mindy is there's too much good news from being in her world. So Mindy needs to be on the voice disguiser. So let's make sure you're turned up.

[Co-host 1]

Good.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

How are you, Mindy?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

I'm good. How are you?

[Co-host 2]

Good.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

So, too much good things. Too many good things happening at work, huh?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Yeah, what's happening is I'm a little bit afraid that I'm gonna be fired

[Co-host 3]

in a few days because your boss is being nice.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Yeah, well, see, the thing is he's never. He's never like this, okay? He's the kind of guy who makes everything harder than it needs to be. You know, like, for example, we have this area where project an inbox and it's right by his desk and he will literally walk like 10ft to where my desk is just to give me papers and projects and things to go put in the box. And, you know, and then he'll do things like where he'll email somebody or. I'm sorry, he'll have me email somebody when it'd be so much easier for him just to do it himself. You know, he's not productive and he's just overall just kind of an annoying guy. You know, he's one of those guys who just really takes advantage of his power and he never acts like this. But lately he's been like, completely over the top, really considerate, really cool to me. Twice last week he brought me Starbucks and he always comes in every day with Starbucks for himself. But the first time he asked Me what I wanted, and I ordered a chai and some scones. And then the next, you know, I guess it was a couple of days later, he brought in the same thing, remembered what I like, you know, and, you know, normally I would think he was just being really nice, and it's great. And don't get me wrong, it's been a pleasure to work with him. But the reason I'm concerned is because this happened before to somebody else in our office. And like, you know, two or three weeks after this all started happening, she was fired.

[Co-host 3]

Oh, so you've seen him behave this way to somebody else, and it didn't end well.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

So it's like the coffee or the Starbucks. Chip was like a Judas scone, like he did Brute.

[Co-host 3]

Yeah, well, I mean, because I think it's just a change of behavior. Maybe he's feeling. Maybe with that other employee, he just felt guilty about it. And I don't know, it could end up in promotion. But I told Jeff off air that I would. I mean, Burt certainly is not the kind of boss like you described your boss as being, you know, but if he was, like, overly nice to me, like, and paying a lot of attention to me, it would weird me out, like, you know, I don't know, because there's a change in behavior, you know? What does this mean? Why are you doing this? Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

Are any other employees getting Starbucks orders in their coffee?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

No. Which is really weird. I mean, I am his assistant, you know, and we work very closely together, but it just doesn't make sense. It doesn't add up to me. You know, why all of a sudden

[Host (The Birch Show)]

now, now, outside of that, you said, like, the stuff that he does normally, like email you to email people, that he can email himself, that type of thing. Right. Which. Is he still doing that, or is he started doing that himself?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

That I haven't noticed as much. But I would say. I would say there has been a change, kind of in that department as well, but more so it's just like being overly nice. Like, hey, can I help you out with anything? You know, just offering. Offering to do a lot to make my life easier.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Because I would be worried if he was starting to take you out of the loop of doing your job. Like, he may have just had some sort of weird epiphany, like where he's not nice enough to you, and he's like, I gotta start treating her better, because, boy, does she really make my life easier. So that. Or is he a married guy? Single guy?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

No, he's married.

[Co-host 3]

Well, I'M also the other employee that got fired when he was nice to her. What did she do?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

What do you mean? What did she do?

[Co-host 3]

Like, her job title? Like. Yes. Because I'm curious if you're all in the same type of position or does she work another part of the company?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

No, she had my job before I got there, actually. I was working in the office in a different position.

[Co-host 3]

So he fired her. So he fired her as his assistant this way. Then you got the job, and now he's treating you this way.

[Co-host 1]

Well, is there any reason for him to fire you? Have you done anything? Because then I can't figure out a reason why he would fire you.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

I mean, I don't think so. I haven't really been with the company for very long and. I know. I mean, I'm worried just in general because of the fact that, number one, I don't have that seniority. Number two, because I've seen this happen before. But, you know, but I do believe that I am very good at my job, and I do believe that I'm valuable to the company. So it scares me, you know. But you can understand my concern being that, you know, I saw this happen.

[Co-host 3]

Well, absolutely. And now nowadays, with budget. I mean, budget cuts and companies not doing as well as they try to show that they're doing, there's a lot of people losing their job. You.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Hey. Elizabeth has some advice for you. Good morning, Elizabeth. Hang on.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

I was gonna say you should just

[Co-host 2]

go into work and go in there and be like, the past few weeks

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

have been so great.

[Co-host 2]

I've had such a great time working for you. Maybe even say I was. Things are getting bad and you've just really changed that. So he'll feel too bad to fire you.

[Co-host 3]

So kill him with kindness, too.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Yes.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

So set him up with pre guilt. Like, make him guilty before he even let you go.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah. And then he can't do it because

[Co-host 3]

I wonder if the reason he's being nice again is that he is. He's having a hard time. Because regardless of how mean a boss you are, it's got to be hard to fire somebody. You know, the.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Sometimes we overlook the obvious. Hey, Hannah.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Hey.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Welcome to the show.

[Co-host 2]

Thank you. I was going to say that a lot of times it could be that the girl before her, that the boss had liked her or something and approached her for extra office activities and fired her, maybe because, you know, she didn't do it. It could be the same thing. He's coming on to her, that he's hitting on her.

[Co-host 3]

Do you feel that? Do you feel Mindy? Do you feel that vibe?

[Co-host 2]

Yeah.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

You know, that's something that I have considered, you know, but the fact that he's married just makes me want to believe that that's not the case, you know, and I'm single, but it definitely has crossed my mind that that could be it.

[Co-host 3]

But do you feel that, though? Because, I mean, if I. If you're getting hit on by somebody, you kind of. You can kind of sense it. It's more than just being nice, you know?

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Yeah, I think it's more so just my mind playing tricks on me, you know, because I'm worried and I'm trying to entertain every option, you know? I don't think so. I don't think that's the case.

[Co-host 3]

Okay.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

But I have thought about it. I have thought that might be the case.

[Co-host 3]

I just don't.

[Co-host 1]

I think if you haven't done anything wrong, there's no real reason for concern. I just say do your job and do the best that you can at it and just not worry about it as much as you can.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Hey, Megan, welcome to the show.

[Co-host 2]

Hey.

[Co-host 3]

Hi.

[Co-host 2]

I just wanted to say to the caller, you know, you. You've seen a pattern here. I would get in contact with the former secretary and find out exactly what happened, because it sounds to me like this is like the very beginning of I'm being nice to you and the sexual harassment is about to start. And then, you know, a lot of times in the corporate world, we're left with the choice of it's my word against theirs, Leave the job quietly or, you know, say whatever you want. They're not going to believe you. Like you said, you're new to the job and, you know, for. For a complete 180. Like, that just sounds to me like there's a sex. Like. Like this is the beginning of a sexual harassment suit.

[Co-host 3]

I don't think at this point.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

You're hot now.

[Co-host 3]

And sexual harassment because he brought her coffee.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Yeah, that seems that.

[Co-host 2]

Well, I've seen, you know, it's just the 180 of behavior. It's not just that he's bringing her coffee. He. She said that, you know, he's like asking her, is there anything I can help you with? Is there anything I can do to help you with your job? How is this.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Yeah, how does. Yeah, that seems very extreme, don't you think?

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, yeah, I really think that. Because, I mean, that's the way it starts.

[Co-host 3]

Sexual harassment's more like if you do this, and then I'll get you this right? You know, like in a sexual way.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

You know what? I'm not gonna harass any of you, so not even gonna.

[Co-host 3]

But you're not my boss.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Not even gonna ask if any of you need help.

[Co-host 3]

You're not my boss, Mindy.

[Commercial Announcer]

You're not the boss of me.

[Co-host 3]

How long have you been working for this guy?

[Co-host 2]

Not long.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Only about. Gosh, I guess about a year and a half. Maybe two years at most.

[Co-host 3]

That's a while. Well, I mean, yeah, I think Wendy's right. I mean, there's nothing you can do about it right now. But, you know, I do think that if it does go into a case of where it gets inappropriate, like listeners, you know, some listeners think it may be going. Do the best you can to get things in writing. I always think that if you can get it in writing so that somebody else can see it, then you have a better case than a he said, she said kind of thing.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Hey, Ashley. You'll be our very last phone call.

[Ashley (Caller)]

Yes, I actually had the same thing happen to me. I worked at a pretty big company with. In Atlanta here, and my boss was, like, really, really nice. And I did end up getting fired.

[Co-host 3]

Okay.

[Ashley (Caller)]

It turned out the reason why he was so nice, it was he was about to get fired.

[Co-host 3]

Yeah.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

So it's just a down.

[Ashley (Caller)]

It might be because he's trying to make himself look better. So, you know, yes, you do need to be wary, because when they do change like that, that means that something is on them. That means they have a problem with whatever it is that's going on with them. And I do agree with previous caller that said, you need to go above him, because I probably wouldn't have lost my job had I gone above him.

[Co-host 3]

What do you mean, go above him?

[Ashley (Caller)]

I'll go to his supervisor and ask. Okay, look, this is. I'm feeling a little uncomfortable because you are feeling uncomfortable, and you should say this is not his normal behavior. Is there something I should be aware of? Because you don't feel comfortable enough to talk to him about it, you definitely need to talk to someone, and that's just the next person above him.

[Co-host 3]

I always disagree with going about. If you have not said anything to him, don't go to his boss.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Because if. If nothing is wrong.

[Co-host 3]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, because I just think that that's. And I would if I was the. If I let's. For instance, I'm Jeff's boss.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

What's up?

[Co-host 3]

And Jeff is Wendy's boss. So Wendy comes to me about something with Jeff and she's not said anything to Jeff. I. The red flag on me is on Wendy. You know what I mean?

[Host (The Birch Show)]

And then you'll bring it to me and then it just gets weird and

[Co-host 3]

then you get fired.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

I feel like it's a little bit unprofessional to do that.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

Well, we're gonna check in with you in a few days and find out if you're still employed.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Okay, great.

[Co-host 3]

Good luck. And yeah, and if it does get inappropriate riding, get it in writing.

[Mindy (Caller/Assistant)]

Okay, great. Thank you guys so much.

[Host (The Birch Show)]

We'll talk to you in a few days.

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