Employee gets upgraded to first class on business trip, leaving furious boss in coach: 'She thinks [...] I should’ve given her the first class seat'

The strict hierarchy that might exist within a workplace environment does not extend to life outside of work. So while one may defer to their employer during meetings and in the office, one does not necessarily need to extend that same courtesy when it comes to ordinary activities such as air travel.

This boss would come to learn that sobering reality the hard way after she was denied a first-class seat upgrade that, frankly, was not hers to take in the first place. Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section.

Like what you see? Follow our WhatsApp channel for more.

Author image for Ben Weiss Ben Weiss
Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10465353984
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Advertisement

  • Before we get into the employee's account of the whole situation, let's begin by clarifying that based on the demeanor and behavior of this difficult boss, the employee had already dealt with her bizarre superiority complex throughout their business trip together. So when he received a first-class seat upgrade because he uses the airline's credit card, he deserved the opportunity to enjoy his own upgrade and have some time away from his boss after an arduous trip. Unfortunately, she felt very differently about the upgrade situation and would later shame him for not giving it to her…

  • 02
    Yesterday, my boss and I were flying home from a conference. We were on the same flight, but our original seats were not next to each other. I'm a frequent
    via scootindog
  • 03
    traveller on this airline and use their credit card, so I often get free upgrades to first class. I got upgraded on this flight and my boss did not.
    via scootindog
  • 04
    After the flight, when we were collecting our bags she said she wanted to talk to me about my "lack of respect for protocol". She
    via scootindog
  • Advertisement
  • 05
    thinks that because the company paid for my original ticket, and she is more senior than me, I should've given her the first class seat.
    via scootindog
  • 06
    I think this is absolutely insane. While the company paid for my seat, it's my own personal credit card spending, and frequent travel that earned me the upgraded seat. Is this some sort of corporate standard I'm not aware of? AITA?
    via scootindog
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10465355008
    via Unsplash+ (Wesley Tingey)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Advertisement

  • Several members of the online community shared their reactions to the employee, who seemed concerned that he had violated some sort of unspoken work policy when, of course, he had not. Here's what they all had to say about his boss!

  • 08
    gilded_lady. NTA. If you want to cya going forward you can always email HR and ask "X happened
    via scootindog
  • 09
    while on this trip and Manager Y advised that I should have done Z. Can you point me to where I can review the protocols so I know going forward?" It
    via scootindog
  • 10
    documents the incident without being accusatory and lets you be able to cite chapter and verse if there's a next time.
    via scootindog
  • Advertisement
  • 11
    idontcare8587. obvious NTA. Is your boss 5? What protocol says you have to give gifts to your boss??
    via scootindog
  • 12
    jrm1102. NTA - this was your upgrade, not a company upgrade. I'd keep an eye on this boss from here and document anything in case of retaliation
    via scootindog
  • 13
    neoncactusfields NTA - you got upgraded. YOU. The upgrade was connected to your own personal credit card use. Your boss is a buy and she is being completely inane about this. If she brings
    via scootindog
  • Advertisement
  • 14
    it up again, I'd just tell her that she is wrong and leave it at that. Document this too, in case you need to take it to HR.
    via scootindog
  • 15
    NotCreativeAtAll16. NTA. The entitlement of your boss is astounding. As long as the company allows you to use your card. for miles (not all do), you've done nothing wrong. You could have used those miles on whatever. She could have paid extra for the upgrade, as well, but she CHOSE not to.
    via scootindog
  • 16
    Willing_Second1591. NTA. Your boss is entitled, ask her to show you the protocol where it says you have to give up your first class seat to your boss
    via scootindog
  • Advertisement
  • 17
    IamIrene she said she wanted to talk to me about my "lack of respect for protocol". I hope you said, "Sure, as long as we can also talk about your entitlement issues." She's a ballsy one, lol! NTA.
    via scootindog
  • 18
    madelinegumbo NTA I've been in this exact situation (I was upgraded, boss wasn't). It never even occurred to me to offer him my seat and neither did he seem to expect it.
    via scootindog
  • 19
    AgileBuy8439 NTA boss probably felt their sense of self importance attacked because you got upgraded and they didn't. Stand your ground without being confrontational, you did nothing wrong so don't let her push you around with her "little talk"
    via scootindog
  • Advertisement
  • 20
    Larfbarg61 Report to HR. This is a sign of things to come with boss and better you get your side of the story out there first. Otherwise company is likely to side with boss just because she's boss.
    via scootindog
  • 21
    Dipping_My_Toes. NTA - What an entitled piece of work your boss is.
    via scootindog

Stay up to date by following us on Facebook!

Tags

workplace-stories employee toxic-workplace first class ticket work toxic-boss Horrible Bosses airplane entitled people toxic-work-environment
Scroll down for the next article

Also From FAIL Blog

Trending Now

Cashier confronts hair salon customer who won't tip on $950 styling: 'She told me I am not welcome back'

Cashier confronts hair salon customer who won't tip on $950 styling: 'She told me I am not welcome back'

01
'19-year-old forklift driver... didn't understand why he was fired': 20+ Employees who got quickly fired after making big mistakes while on the job

'19-year-old forklift driver... didn't understand why he was fired': 20+ Employees who got quickly fired after making big mistakes while on the job

02
'He announced loudly that she either move or get off': Bus driver stands up for parents when entitled passenger thinks her groceries deserve the stroller spot more than their kid

'He announced loudly that she either move or get off': Bus driver stands up for parents when entitled passenger thinks her groceries deserve the stroller spot more than their kid

03
Stepfather and mother try to coerce 17-year-old to spend his inheritance from his father on his step-siblings' education: 'I said no and I told them I wouldn't change my mind'

Stepfather and mother try to coerce 17-year-old to spend his inheritance from his father on his step-siblings' education: 'I said no and I told them I wouldn't change my mind'

04
Father finds the perfect work/life balance as a remote worker, taking a 2-hour lunch break every day in response to his company's lackluster benefits: 'The happiest moments of my life have been watching [my son] grow up during my lunch hour'

Father finds the perfect work/life balance as a remote worker, taking a 2-hour lunch break every day in response to his company's lackluster benefits: 'The happiest moments of my life have been watching [my son] grow up during my lunch hour'

05
5-year-old guest takes birthday boy nephew's new toy, uncle takes it back despite parents' protests: 'I took the toy back and returned it to [my nephew]'

5-year-old guest takes birthday boy nephew's new toy, uncle takes it back despite parents' protests: 'I took the toy back and returned it to [my nephew]'

06
Advertisement