1,176 — Limits to Advancement at Work

If you didn’t get a raise last year, maybe it isn’t because you’re lazy. Find out whom you may be able to blame for your troubles in this episode.
Slow dialog: 1:15
Explanations: 3:28
Fast dialog: 16:41
Gloria: Did you hear that Manuel is quitting? He took a job with another company.
Sam: I’m not surprised. He came up against the glass ceiling and he decided to jump ship.
Gloria: Really? I didn’t know he was bucking for promotion.
Sam: He’s been trying to become a manager for three years, but other people have been promoted over him or they’ve hired from outside the company.
Gloria: I didn’t know that. I was aware of the wage disparities within the company and the gender pay gap within each department, but this is news to me.
Sam: Haven’t you noticed that people who take extended leave to have children or try for some type of work-life balance are passed over for plum assignments, raises, and promotions? There are definite limits to advancement.
Gloria: I thought it was just favoritism on the part of the bosses. Their friends got promoted and other people didn’t.
Sam: That’s certainly true, but that’s only part of the story.
Gloria: Why are we still working for a company with such unfair policies?
Sam: Speak for yourself. I’m giving notice today.

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse