Rima Grace

And I know it's because of the optics.

Oh, interesting.

As a black Muslim journalist.

And I'm like, it's not going to happen.

like you you don't know me you don't know anything about me really it's like you can't just do that that's gross and i think her instincts are probably correct you know if that's kind of how you feel yeah i mean we see it all the time right like folks putting companies putting women or people of color or whatever on a page or a panel to signal legitimacy without actually sharing the power or the pay right it's part of the playbook

Okay, unpaid coworker, it sounds like you've got no choice but to have an awkward conversation.

Put your thoughts in writing first so you have a paper trail.

And be polite, but direct with him.

Because at the end of the day, he's profiting off of your image and reputation.

So you've got to set a boundary.

What do you think, Sarah?

I that is so tough because it's such to me that sounds like a scam like don't do raises what excuse me let me guess who is getting a raise uh your boss oh definitely they're getting the law firm um and that's why I would also say that explicitly I think to not talk to your not talk about pay with your co-workers

Yeah, I mean, considering that is illegal, that's really crazy to have that in writing.

But I do think a lot of workplaces get away with giving people little perks instead of actually giving them what they want, which is ridiculous.

real money.

And it sounds like a bonus system is more like tied to being competitive and less to do with like doing good work, which is why also they don't want people to discuss pay, I'm guessing.

And it sounds really rough, especially when your co-workers don't want to rock the boat, so to speak.

So in my mind, I kind of see it as

I don't think it's something that could happen instantly.

I don't think it's something that you can just mobilize people.