Rob and his boss were returning from a conference on the same flight. Their initial seats weren’t adjacent.
Frequent Flier
He frequently flew with that airline for personal reasons and often used his credit card to pay for flights.
The Travel Experience
Due to his loyalty to the airline, he often received complimentary upgrades to first class as a frequent traveler.
Unexpected Upgrade
He received an upgrade on this flight, but his boss did not.
Lack of Respect for ‘Protocol’
After the flight, they collected their luggage. His boss expressed her desire to discuss what she thought was his lack of respect for protocol.
Boss’s Expectations
She believed he should have given her the first-class seat since the company had paid for his original ticket, and she held a higher position.
Credit Card Wins
He said that although the company covered the cost of his seat, his credit card spending and frequent travel earned him the upgraded seat.
Seeking Clarity
He posted on one online forum asking if this is some kind of standard in the corporate world that he is unaware of and if he was wrong.
A Practical Approach
One user suggested that Rob could email HR, stating, “During my recent trip, a situation ‘X’ occurred, and Manager Y recommended that I should have taken action ‘Z.’ Could you please guide me to the relevant protocols so that I can familiarize myself for future reference?” This would allow him to reference specific details if a similar situation arises again.
Childlike Behavior
Another user inquired, “Is your boss five years old? Which protocol mandates giving gifts to your boss?”
Preventing Retaliation
One user said the upgrade was not a company-sponsored one. They recommended Rob closely monitor his boss’s actions and document any occurrences in case of potential retaliation.
Identifying Workplace Bullies
Another user described Rob’s boss as a bully and found her comments baseless. If she were to raise the issue again, the user indicated they would simply tell her she was wrong and leave it at that.
Ethical Use of Company Perks
Another user commented that as long as the company permits using credit cards to earn miles, Rob has done nothing wrong.
The miles he accumulated could have been utilized for various purposes. Additionally, the user pointed out that Rob’s boss could have paid extra for the upgrade but deliberately chose not to do so.
Strategic Approach
A user remarked that Rob’s boss appears entitled. They suggested that he politely ask her to provide the specific protocol that requires him to give up his first-class seat to her.
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Susan is the founder of Susan's Socials, a social media agency focused on Flipboard. She is also a content curator, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through topics such as pets, food, travel, home decor, gardening, and fashion.
