Help! My coworker wants a copy of my house key!
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What unusual work problems are discussed in this episode?
Hey, everyone. It's Adam Grant. I host a podcast called Rethinking about the science of what makes us tick. This season, we're talking to philosopher and author Alain de Botton about how to build character and lead meaningful lives.
If you're going to be an elitist, please could you be an elitist about the really important things, you know, which is, is someone kind? Is someone nice? Is their soul open? Are they thoughtful? And maybe we can afford to pass judgment, as it were, on where people are according to this scale of values.
Find and follow Rethinking with Adam Grant wherever you're listening.
You strike me as the kind of person who loves to give advice or maybe has some hot takes. Um, you've guessed correctly. I'm definitely, I got the opinions, I got the hot takes, and, you know, I love to gossip, so... Hey everyone, I'm Rima Grace and welcome to This is Uncomfortable. We've been asking y'all for your questions about sticky situations at work to leave us voice messages on our hotline at 347-RING-TIU. And this week we are answering some of them as part of a segment we like to call Work Drama. We got some pretty wild questions about workplace tension, co-worker cliques, bosses behaving badly, and some bizarre office policies. And joining me to help answer those questions is one of my favorite culture writers and podcasters, Sarah Hagee.
Sarah tells the stories of some notoriously bad bosses on Scamfluencers, which is a podcast about scams that she co-hosts with journalist Sachi Cole. Hey, Sarah. Hey, how are you? I am good. How are you doing? I'm great. Okay, so before we get into the questions, I'm really curious. What are the common signs that your boss might be a scammer? Okay, if your boss is the only one who's allowed to see certain information and is cagey about sharing information that should be known by people, they're a scammer. If they are... Pushing boundaries and putting you in situations where you feel like you can't say no for either, you know, doing some type of work that feels weird or off. I would say that's definitely scammer territory.
If they're suddenly living a lavish life, that doesn't really make sense for how much money they're getting paid. They're like pulling up in a BMW and... If there are questions that cannot be answered about their lifestyle or relationships they have at work and that type of thing, it's usually scam territory, I'd say. Yeah, that makes sense. And of course, not every scam is as dramatic as embezzling funds. Sometimes you're just being taken advantage of. Which brings us to our very first question, read to us by our producer, Alice Wilder. Hey, Alice.
Hi.
Hey, Rima.
Okay, I have our first question. I've been working as a consultant for the last four years. 90% of my work during this time has been directly or indirectly through a very successful man. A year ago, that work dried up. When I reached out, he emphasized to me that he's working on a new solo project. A few months later, I saw him post about his new business on LinkedIn. When I checked the website, my photo and bio were there, as if I was a part of his team. I do not work for this man. I'm also the only senior woman on his site, so I feel like I am being used as window dressing for his business. I don't want to have an awkward conversation or cut myself out of future work, but he's profiting off of my name and reputation.
Should I address it with him? And if so, what should I say? Signed, Unpaid Coworker.
Could you imagine that scenario? Oh, I would go crazy. Are you kidding me? That is. Oh, my God. I'd be like, first of all, get my face off your website or give me a job. Right. Yeah. So then how would you approach it with them? Would you say that or would you? I would honestly. Would you just burn that bridge? I really think the best way to go about. talking to someone like that, I would, one, have everything in writing in case it needs to be escalated. True. I would email and be like, hey, I'm just wondering, you know, like we're not really working together. I saw this on your website.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What unusual work problems are discussed in this episode?
0:02–6:37
2
How can you identify if your boss is a scammer?
6:37–16:22
3
What should you do if your coworker is profiting off your reputation?
16:22–24:29
4
How can you negotiate for a raise in a company that doesn't offer them?
24:29–25:34