Episode: Dismayed Draco: Curiosity Gone Wrong - How to Ask for a Raise

Link: https://thehrmediators.captivate.fm/episode/dismayed-draco-curiosity-gone-wrong-how-to-ask-for-a-raise

What this episode’s about:

In this episode, we hear from someone we've named, "Dismayed Draco," who accidentally found out he is the lowest-paid employee in his company. Helping Draco navigate his feelings of frustration and underappreciation, we provide a structured framework which we call "RAISES" to help Draco navigate the often nerve wracking process of asking for a raise. We look at this from the viewpoints of conflict resolution, HR, and psychology.

Why listen:

Learn how to ask for a raise!

Key takeaways

1. We recommend you don't "rage quit" your job without a financial plan
2. Asking for a raise is a key professional skill
3. We give you the RAISES framework to develop a strategic plan for how to move forward
4. Pay transparency laws are complex and there are HR considerations around this topic
5. Mindset matters - harness the power of cognitive behavioral therapy

Resources & further reading

• Pay transparency and productivity by Cédric Gutierrez, Tomasz Obloj, Todd Zenger :: SSRN
• Research: The Complicated Effects of Pay Transparency
• What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
• Pay Transparency Laws by State Interactive Map - GovDocs
• The story of SumAll
• Cost of Living Calculator | City and Salary Comparison Tool - NerdWallet
• Blind salary research tool - Second salary reference tool mentioned
• Glassdoor
• Interview Boss Podcast
• Jia Jiang: What I learned from 100 days of rejection

Reach out for guidance: TheHRManagers@Gmail.com

Website: TheHRMediators.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehrmediators/

About the show

Workplace conflict is inevitable, but with Karen & Kendra’s mix of HR savvy, mediation experience, psychology insights, and humor, you’ll learn to turn conflict into connection.

Credits & notes

Hosts: Karen Gleason & Kendra Beseler

© 2025 The HR Mediators

Privacy note: These are inspired by real experiences; names/identifying details are modified.

Workplace conflict is inevitable, but with our mix of HR savvy, mediation experience, psychology insights, and a little humor, you’ll learn to turn conflict into connection.

We, Karen and Kendra, are certified HR professionals and mediators with extensive experience across diverse sectors, including Fortune 100 companies and startups.

Each episode features a unique and provocative scenario, allowing us to dissect the intricacies of organizational dynamics and corporate chaos.

We invite you to subscribe and join us every other Tuesday as we explore these critical issues and help you navigate conflict with compassion, grace, and ease!

Links referenced in this episode:

• thehrmediators.com
• thehrmediators@gmail.com

Episode: Pressured Priya: Stuck in the Middle - Navigating Competing Executives

Link: https://thehrmediators.captivate.fm/episode/pressured-priya-stuck-in-the-middle-navigating-competing-executives

What this episode’s about:

In this episode we hear from "Pressured Priya" who was hired to stand up an onboarding program at the large Tech company where she works. Unfortunately, no one warned her that this would drop her right in the middle of a longstanding conflict between two executives. We help her analyze the situation from the perspectives of conflict resolution, HR, and psychology to help her make a plan for how to move forward.

Why listen:

Learn how to collaborate successfully despite entrenched conflicts.

Key takeaways

1. Learn about the five standard ways people approach conflict
2. Improve your ability to adjust your communication style and approach to your audience
3. Develop your skill in building psychological safety

Resources

• An Overview of the Thomas-Kilmann (TKI) Instrument - This is also the Link to Purchase the TKI Test
• Purchase the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) Book
• What is Psychological Safety
• Four Steps to Build the Psychological Safety That High Performing Teams Need Today
• Google re:Work - Guides: Understand team effectiveness
• Books | Keith Ferrazzi
• How to Lead Without Authority
• Complete Employee Onboarding Guide
• Theory of Games and Economic Behavior | Princeton University Press
• Project Management Statistics
• To Retain New Hires, Spend More Time Onboarding Them - HBR quote about the value of an onboarding program

Reach out for guidance: TheHRManagers@Gmail.com

Website: TheHRMediators.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehrmediators/

About the show

Workplace conflict is inevitable, but with Karen & Kendra’s mix of HR savvy, mediation experience, psychology insights, and humor, you’ll learn to turn conflict into connection.

Credits & notes

Hosts: Karen Gleason & Kendra Beseler

© 2025 The HR Mediators

Privacy note: These are inspired by real experiences, but we change all identifying details, adjust timelines, and blend similar accounts.

Episode: Always-On Anya: Setting Boundaries with an Overcommunicating Boss

Link: https://thehrmediators.captivate.fm/episode/always-on-anya-setting-boundaries-with-a-over-communicating-boss

What this episode’s about:

An hourly lead’s manager won’t stop calling on her days off and threatens demotion when she pushes back. We unpack how to set firm, respectful boundaries, when to loop in HR, and why power can erode empathy.

Why listen:

You’ll get practical tips for a hard conversation as well as engaging HR and psychology perspectives on control, fear of failure, empathy, and more to help you protect your time without burning bridges.

Key takeaways

1. Lead with data and What's In It For Me (WIIFM): Bring specifics (“10 calls on my day off”) and frame solutions that help the manager (on-call rotation, clear escalation paths), not just you.
2. Take action and utilize your resources: Document time worked off the clock, document your conversations, and reach out to HR for help.
3. Target the root cause: Promotion-seeking, loneliness, fear, control, or attraction require different strategies. Avoid power struggles, use assertive (not aggressive) language, and keep safety front and center.

Resources

• Humanalysts, on LinkedIn - We recommend following Dr. Nicole at Humanalysts for more information about workplace trauma. This topic came up when we mentioned that overcontrolling is a trauma response, and the work of Dr. Nicole came to mind.
• Power and Perspective Not Taken - Read more about how people in power may exhibit a lack of empathy.
• Stanford Prison Experiment
• Courage Coaching - Excellent coach with great resources on how to navigate relationships with narcissists.
• The Assertiveness Workbook - Additional details on The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy Paterson.
• Hours of Work Policy: Nonexempt Employee Electronic Communications - Resource to design hourly work policies.
• Fact Sheet #22: Hours Worked Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) - Information on hourly worker standards in the US
• Mid-Market Enterprise Economy Report 2024 - Information on small and middle market growth (2024).

Reach out for guidance: TheHRManagers@Gmail.com

Website: TheHRMediators.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehrmediators/

About the show

Workplace conflict is inevitable, but with Karen & Kendra’s mix of HR savvy, mediation experience, psychology insights, and humor, you’ll learn to turn conflict into connection.

Credits

Music: Farben by MagnusMoone

Notes

If this helped, please follow the show and send this episode to at least one coworker. Rate & review: A quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on your podcast platform of choice helps others find us.

Hosts

Karen Gleason & Kendra Beseler

© 2025 The HR Mediators

Privacy note: These are inspired by real experiences, but we change all...