Work related: Would you be resentful?

[Pom]

That was kind of low rent. Yes, I'd still be pissed.

As to you working for him/her now, is this the boss or the president that you are referring to?

FWIW, my answer depends on if your job options are limited in your local area/field.

[WOT?*]

I would be not happy but it was a (shitbag) way to get himself noticed by his higher-ups and he took advantage.  You're still in contact so there must have been some plusses to your relationship. If you do end up working for him, watch your back and make sure that the higher-ups know what you are up to. Such as, did you ever have an opportunity ask the President how the flight went and tell him how much you enjoyed talking with the rich client and how glad you were able to help?

[ECB]

If there are repeated incidents of him making you feel bad, that's something you need to really take into consideration.

That incident, though, I'm not surprised by it at all.

[readyin07]

Enh for this particular infraction? Not really even though it is annoying. It is the employee's job to maximize exposure for the company. If you weren't making that happen and they jumped in, well them's the breaks! It would be worse if the boss was trying to insert himself, but on behalf of the president where he recognized good press and business opportunitiea then I cant say it the worst thing. is there any reason the client taking the president precluded taking you at a different time?

[ECB]

Aug 21, 2014 21:44:40 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

Enh for this particular infraction? Not really even though it is annoying. It is the employee's job to maximize exposure for the company. If you weren't making that happen and they jumped in, well them's the breaks! It would be worse if the boss was trying to insert himself, but on behalf of the president where he recognized good press and business opportunitiea then I cant say it the worst thing. is there any reason the client taking the president precluded taking you at a different time?

Exactly this.  And honestly, as a lower level employee, I would have personally felt REALLY awkward if I had accepted this offer.  And I would have wondered if it was really appropriate for me to go anyhow.  

[LoveTrains]

It would have been completely inappropriate in my business to accept an offer like that - and they do get made - unless you are working to advance organizational relationship. As such that opportunity was much better suited for the president.

[msmerymac]

To be honest, if it was a business relationship and not a personal relationship, it would be against policy for us to accept anything like that. Seriously, with the exception of some some limited circumstance (dinners, drinks, or parties during trade shows), we're not allowed to accept gifts worth more than $25 (no iPods, no Christmas gift baskets, no gift certificates). A private plane ride and dinner on Catalina is not cheap.

So... I'd let that go. The underlying attitude of the boss would be a bit suspect, so I'd go by other interactions and an overall pattern of being thrown under the bus or cheated out of taking credit for things, not just this incident.

[Deleted]

I would be resentful if he took the trip for himself, but not for someone else.

[aurora]

I think from a business perspective it makes more sense for the president to go than a lower-level employee. So, although I might be disappointed I don't think I'd feel resentful.

[livinitup]

Would I mind that my boss stepped on me to score points with the big boss ?

Yes. It may have even been appropriate to match the invite with the appropriate level (top) in the company. But it was still a blatant maneuver.

The question is - is this the kind if guy who is REALLY GOOD at office politics and positioning himself and staff? Or is he just a douche who's always going to squash anyone on your level - even just for sport.

If you can answer THAT , you got your answer.

[ET]

I worked for someone like this & I wasn't so much resentful as amused. In my case, he was/is a horrific social climber & would always fail & make himself look stupid in the process. 

That being said, I held an exec position. As a low level employee, there may possibly be rules against you even accepting such a thing without management/CEO approval depending on company size. Gifts of any kind always had to go through management & it was often awkward all the way around.