In this episode of A-Squared Ramblers, hosts Alex and Adriana dive into the realities of merit reviews, raises, and what “doing good work” actually gets you (depending on where you’re employed).

From private-sector merit increases to public-sector evaluations with little or no financial incentive, they compare how different industries handle performance, motivation, and accountability. The conversation expands into workplace morale, bad supervisors, power imbalances, and what happens when oversight fails entirely. Adriana shares firsthand experiences navigating toxic leadership and unfair evaluation practices, while Alex breaks down how merit systems function behind the scenes, and where they fall short.

The episode wraps with a timely discussion about workplace consequences, regulated speech on company time, and a viral GoFundMe that raises uncomfortable questions about accountability, freedom of speech at work, and public sympathy. Along the way, they ask listeners to reflect: Is merit actually motivating or just performative? And who really holds the power at work?