Vault: They demanded a raise from their boss

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: They demanded a raise from their boss
Date: June 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively and humorous episode, the Bert Show team revisits a listener story about workplace negotiations and the pitfalls of group demands. Sally, a listener, and her coworker decide to approach their boss together to demand a raise after discovering a colleague received one. The cast and callers weigh in on the merits (and shortcomings) of their approach, with the discussion veering into classic Bert Show banter and real-world advice on salary negotiation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:02] Sally’s Friday Plan: The Group Approach

• Sally explains their plan: After learning another coworker got a raise, Sally and her friend decide to approach their boss together and demand the same.
• Discussion among the cast: The group is skeptical, suggesting it's more professional to negotiate raises one-on-one.
  • “Nobody negotiates their salary with another person. It's between you and the boss. So we thought it was dumb, but she was going for it anyway.” — Co-worker 2 [01:51]

[02:09] The Big Confrontation

• Sally and coworker confront their boss:
  • The boss is surprised but says he only has enough budget for one raise.
  • He asks both to present individual cases for the raise the following Monday.
• Initial reactions: The cast notes how quickly the boss undermined their solidarity.
  • “Come in here individually. One of you is gonna get the raise. But you've already said that it was the both of you or none of you. So how are you gonna handle that?” — Host [03:26]

[04:13] The Divide-and-Conquer Tactic

• Cast reflects on the boss’s move: They admire the boss’s ability to split their united front.
  • “I think it's brilliant. I think he probably, yeah, you came in there and he's like, oh, whatever, you guys are aligned. Let's see really how aligned you are. I want you each to present why you're better than the other. And you both went, okie doke.” — Commentator 1 [03:58]
• Sally preps for competition: Sally prepares a PowerPoint, joking that her advantage is her PowerPoint skills.
  • “Probably because I know PowerPoint and she doesn't.” — Sally [04:29]

[05:02] Friendship vs. Ambition

• Emotional fallout: Sally admits she and her coworker haven’t talked all weekend and now feel like competitors.
  • “It is now definitely like, we had to put on our thinking caps of why we each think we deserve the raise... I’m a little bummed out.” — Sally [04:43]
• Asked how she’ll feel if her coworker gets the raise:
  • “I’ll be pissed.” — Sally [05:13]

[06:02] Reflections on Asking for Raises

• On standing up for yourself: Sally and cast discuss how raises often require the employee to ask.
  • “You have to stand up for yourself. You have to speak up for yourself.” — Sally [06:02]
  • “It has been my experience that they just don't give you money, that you have to ask for it generally.” — Host [06:19]

[07:02] Caller Feedback: Heated Opinions

Caller 1 (“Val”) [07:02]

• Calls Sally out, strongly disapproving her method and suggesting she doesn’t deserve a raise.
  • “You are taking money in a time where people need it. Somebody probably worked twice as hard as you do, and you're asking for it. And you probably don't even deserve it. You're slow. You are stupid. You are dumb. You do not deserve this raise.” — Caller 1 [07:19]
  • Shares she got a 15% raise because her boss noticed her work without asking.

Caller 2 (“Liz”) [08:36]

• Offers more constructive criticism: Raises should be merit-based, not “kindergarten style.”
  • “You want to get a raise based on your merits, not on. We're going to go in and hold hands like kindergarteners and say, we both want a raise.” — Caller 2 [08:39]

[09:11] Next Steps

• Presentations scheduled: Sally and her coworker will each present their case (decided by coin toss who goes first).
• Jokes about presentation order:
  • “We always say that on American Idol, the person who performs last has an advantage because definitely top of mind awareness when people are voting. So good for you.” — Commentator 1 [09:35]
• Speculation on outcome: Host wonders if the boss could give the raise to someone else entirely if neither presentation is convincing.

[10:14] Personal Stakes

• Sally’s honesty: She reveals that she’s more focused on her own case and is willing to accept the risk for personal gain.

  • “Maybe I've just been too focused on my own performance.” — Sally [10:09]

• Cast teases Sally about quitting: Sally half-jokingly claims she’ll quit if she doesn’t get it, but others point out she can’t afford to.

• “Some money is better than no money. You're not quitting.” — Co-worker 1 [11:00]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On workplace solidarity flipping fast: “You were shoulder to shoulder on Friday and now you're competing against each other.” — Host [04:38]
• On raise negotiation reality: “You have to ask for it generally... they're not gonna just hand it to you.” — Host [06:19]
• On competitive spirit eclipsing loyalty: “At the risk of not being the most popular, maybe. And I have to figure out what's more important, putting food on my table or having a gas session with my coworkers.” — Sally [06:24]
• On caller feedback: “Calling someone slow is my new favorite insult, and I'm gonna use that on people. Oh, my God, you're just slow.” — Commentator 1 [08:20]
• On how quickly alliances can dissolve: “We are going in there hand in hand and it's both of us or none of us or one of us here.” — Host [11:32]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:02] - Introduction to Sally’s plan
• [02:09] - Sally confronts boss with coworker
• [03:26] - Boss flips the script, demands individual presentations
• [06:02] - Discussion about advocating for yourself
• [07:02] - Caller 1 (“Val”) gives harsh feedback
• [08:36] - Caller 2 (“Liz”) on merit-based raises
• [09:11] - Presentation schedule, American Idol analogy
• [10:09] - Sally’s focus and risk assessment
• [11:03] - Joking about quitting, Sally’s reality check

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Tone and Flavor

The Bert Show maintains its trademark blend of humor, real talk, and audience engagement throughout. There’s a clear camaraderie among hosts, and the segment is full of witty asides, playful teasing, and call-in drama, giving listeners both laughs and food for thought on workplace negotiations.

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Takeaway

This episode serves as an entertaining commentary on workplace negotiation strategy—and what happens when solidarity meets the harsh realities of office politics. The ultimate message: know your worth, advocate for yourself, but don’t underestimate how quickly alliances can shift when money's on the line.

Transcript

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[Host]

All right. This was Sally on Friday. Her idea was to go hand in hand with a co worker in front of the boss and demand a raise. This was her Friday.

[Sally]

One of my co workers had mentioned that she's buying a house and when asked how she's able to do that, she mentioned that she just got a raise. And my other co worker and I, she and I did not get a raise. And so, you know, we were out in the parking lot and we devised a plan that we're going to go into the boss's office today and demand a raise.

[Host]

Which you guys thought presented a whole bunch of problems. Some of you guys called up and said that the boss will see that as sort of like this defensive move. He's going to get defensive about it. Others called in and said, well, what if she gets the raise and you don't? That the way better and more professional way to handle it is to go in there one on one.

[Co-worker 1]

And she didn't want to do that.

[Host]

She didn't want to do that.

[Co-worker 2]

Yeah, they wanted to go in together, but nobody negotiates their salary with another person. It's between you and the boss. So we thought it was dumb, but she was going for it anyway.

[Host]

Hey, Sally. Good morning. You're back on the voice disguiser.

[Sally]

Hi. Good morning.

[Host]

Hi. So how'd that whole race thing work out for you? Did you guys decide to go in there hand in hand?

[Sally]

We did. We did. As soon as the boss walked in, we decided to do it right away. And we walk in because we, we didn't want to check it out. And we asked if we could talk to him. He said sure. And we told him that we thought that we deserved a raise and we knew the company had money since our co worker got a raise, and we insisted that we both wanted one. We did it. So we.

[Co-worker 1]

And what was your boss's initial reaction?

[Sally]

I think he was a little surprised and a little taken back, but I'm really glad we did it on a Friday.

[Co-worker 2]

What was it like the rest of the day? Did you ever hear anything more? Did he say. I mean, he said he was going to consider it or what?

[Sally]

Yeah, well, he said, yeah, he was a little taken back. And he did say that he does have money in his budget for. But he only has enough to give to one of us. So he said he suggested that we come in individually on Monday, which is today, but we were to present, you know, give them a presentation on why we think that we deserve the raise over the other person.

[Host]

So essentially, what he's doing is your power play was, look, we're both going in there and we're both demanding a raise because the office couldn't take the hit of both of you. Both of us. And what he's doing is taking that power away and really saying, look, it's conquer and divide here. Come in here individually. One of you is gonna get the raise. But you've already said that it was the both of you or none of you. So how are you gonna handle that?

[Sally]

Well, I know I was a little surprised by his approach and how he wants us to do this, but why?

[Commentator 1]

I think it's brilliant. I think it's a way. I think he probably, yeah, you came in there and he's like, oh, whatever, you guys are aligned. Let's see really how aligned you are. I want you each to present why you're better than the other. And you both went, okie doke.

[Commentator 2]

Yeah.

[Co-worker 2]

Now you just turned against each other.

[Host]

What happened to solidarity there?

[Commentator 1]

Yeah, I don't want to.

[Sally]

I don't know. I think it's dumb, but I went home and I created a PowerPoint presentation and I think I deserve the race.

[Co-worker 1]

Why do you think you deserve it?

[Sally]

Probably because I know PowerPoint and she doesn't.

[Commentator 1]

Yeah, you'd be fun on Survivor.

[Host]

So you guys that you were shoulder to shoulder on Friday and now you're competing against each other.

[Sally]

And it is now definitely like, we had to put on our thinking caps of why we each think we deserve the raise. And we, you know, we didn't sit down over a drink and do that. Together. So, you know, I'm a little bummed out, but.

[Co-worker 1]

So what happened?

[Sally]

But I want the raise, and I think I deserve it. I mean, I know I can always type faster than she can, so.

[Co-worker 1]

But what happens if she gets the raise and you don't get the raise?

[Sally]

I'll be pissed.

[Commentator 1]

Will you make a PowerPoint outlining how angry you really are?

[Co-worker 2]

Did you guys talk at all over the weekend, or was it like, oh, we are a team on Friday and this weekend, like, in touch at all?

[Sally]

We didn't talk, not even on Facebook.

[Host]

I think it's so funny how you guys went in there with this master plan of power in numbers, and he immediately divided the two of you guys up, and there was no fight in you, no thought about it, nothing. It was just like, okay, it's every man for himself at this point.

[Commentator 1]

Because what he said was, one of you will get a raise. So all of a sudden, he took the power that they had, that we're marching in there together, we're both gonna get a raise. And he was honest with you. He's like, yeah, you're right. I got two grand, but I'm not dividing it up. It goes to you, or. Or you come in and tell me why.

[Sally]

I know. But, you know what's really interesting to me is, so he's had the money in the budget to give us a raise, but until you go in and ask for it, I mean, what. You know, I mean, it's not like you have to go. You have to stand up for yourself. You have to speak up for yourself.

[Host]

Yeah. It has been my experience that they just don't give you money, that you have to ask for it generally.

[Sally]

Yes, I know. And even though I'm doing a good job, so I could just sit there and not ask, Meanwhile, I had to really think about my work ethic over the weekend. And so I definitely want to be a better employee, but no. Did my friend and I talk over the weekend? No. So am I a better employee? At the risk of not being the most popular, maybe. And I have to figure out what's more important, putting food on my table or having a gas session with my coworkers.

[Host]

I think it's just so funny how it didn't take much for you guys to separate. Hey, Val. Good Morning. You're on Q100.

[Caller 1]

Oh, my God. Didn't I talk to you just Friday about this situation? You do not deserve this race. Did you hear? Do you know? Do you guys understand why I'm saying she doesn't Deserve it. Today you asked her. What makes you think you deserve the raise better than the other girl? I have a PowerPoint. Oh, my God. How dumb could you be? You do not deserve a raise. You are taking money in a time where people need it. Somebody probably worked twice as hard as you do, and you're asking for it. And you probably don't even deserve it. You're slow. You are stupid. You are dumb. You do not deserve this raise. Oh, my God, you are making me so mad.

[Co-worker 2]

The boss doesn't sound like her.

[Sally]

I have way too many cups of coffee.

[Caller 1]

What? Excuse you? Maybe if you had a few cups of coffee, you would do your job 10 times better and actually get a raise without having to ask for it.

[Host]

Oh, now why are you so upset at her? You were so upset on Friday, and you're so upset again today. Why are you so upset?

[Caller 1]

Because you have some people who are just ridiculous, like this lady who get by with dumb stuff like this, and they don't deserve it.

[Host]

Have you been passed up for, like, a raise recently or something?

[Caller 1]

No, I just got my raise. You know why? Because I deserved it.

[Co-worker 2]

Oh, dang.

[Caller 1]

I did not ask for my raise. My boss came to me and said she wanted to give me a 15% raise. I did not have to ask for mine.

[Sally]

Sweet pea.

[Commentator 1]

I, by the way, Val would like to thank you for calling, because calling someone slow is my new favorite insult, and I'm gonna use that on people. Oh, my God, you're just slow.

[Host]

And for me, I'm only gonna refer to you now as sweet pea.

[Commentator 1]

Oh, like we're gonna pretend that's new.

[Host]

Here is Liz. Good morning, Liz. You're on Q100.

[Caller 2]

Good morning. This poor caller, she has failed job 101. And that is you want to get a raise based on your merits, not on. We're going to go in and hold hands like kindergarteners and say, we both want a raise. Because I guarantee you that the boss had enough money to give both of them a raise. And his lesson to them in job 101 is, you don't do that. You go in and you say, I deserve it because of my performance, or something like that.

[Host]

Sally, what do you think about that?

[Sally]

Well, yeah, I put it in my PowerPoint presentation.

[Host]

I can't wait to see how this pans out over the week. So you're supposed to make your case today. Your co worker is supposed to make her case today also, and then he's gonna give you feedback tomorrow.

[Sally]

Yep. And we flip the coin to see who Goes in first and you flip

[Host]

the coin to see who goes in.

[Commentator 1]

Who's going first?

[Sally]

She's going in first.

[Co-worker 2]

She goes first. That's kind of good that you want to be the clincher.

[Host]

I agree.

[Commentator 1]

We always say that on American Idol, the person who performs last has an advantage because definitely top of, top of mind awareness when people are voting. So good for you.

[Host]

Just another life lesson from American Idol.

[Co-worker 2]

We learned so many. I'm curious if there's any other coworkers that are at the same level as the two of you that could be also pitching for the job today.

[Sally]

I don't care. Because they didn't have the balls to go into the office on Friday and ask.

[Co-worker 2]

Well, I don't care if you care. I'm just asking if it's a fact. Like, are there other co workers on your level that could potentially be going after the job that are after the raise that you want?

[Sally]

I guess so, but maybe I've just been too focused on my own performance, Sally.

[Co-worker 2]

So it could go to neither one of you.

[Sally]

Well, he said it. He has it in his budget for one of us, so I don't. I don't know what, but I think I have a very strong case, and I think I put together a great PowerPoint presentation. Yeah.

[Host]

There was a chance that he comes back to you, and he goes, you know what? Now that I realize that neither one of you guys deserve the raise and I'm gonna give it to Jen in the office.

[Co-worker 1]

That would be fine.

[Sally]

Cause I can do PowerPoint too.

[Host]

You can do Power or Val. Val will get it. Yeah, Sweet Pea will get it.

[Co-worker 2]

Sweet Pea.

[Sally]

I'll leave my job. I'll quit my job.

[Co-worker 1]

No, you will not.

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[Host]

You came in with all these.

[Co-worker 1]

You can't afford to quit your job. You just said you had to put food on your table. You can't afford to quit your job.

[Sally]

I know, but it just makes me so mad.

[Co-worker 1]

Some money is better than no money. You're not quitting.

[Sally]

Well, I'm gonna see what he says. And if he at least can get, like, dangle a little carrot, you know, as far as. Well, maybe not now, but in three months, then I'll be okay.

[Host]

But he's got you exactly where he wants. You gonna get nothing out of this whole thing. Let's talk to you tomorrow and find out how your. How your PowerPoint presentation went. Okay?

[Sally]

Okay.

[Host]

All right. Good luck. Good luck for you.

[Sally]

All right, thank you.

[Caller 1]

Bye.

[Host]

Bye.

[Co-worker 2]

Take her down, partner that you were so close to on Friday.

[Host]

We are going in there hand in hand and it's both of us or none of us or one of us here.

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