I work at a small marketing company of 20 people. I was hired in August 2008 at the same time as another chap (let?s call him G) ? both roles were entry-level (Account Executive), although I already had a year?s experience as an Account Executive at another marketing company. Very quickly I took on a lot of responsibility and gained the trust of the senior management. He, on the other hand, needed baby-sitting through even basic office skills. I am a bit of an Uber-Competitive Swotty Mc Teacher?s Pet, so I felt pretty chuffed that I was leaving this guy in my dust cloud.
I was working under an Account Manager who left in June 2009. The company didn?t replace him, I took over his role, and a couple of months later I brought up in my review that I would like to be promoted to Account Manager (I mean, I was doing the job already ? and very well at that, FFS). Senior management said they would promote me if I proved before the end of the year that I could do x, y and z.
In those five months I worked like a fiend to step up to their challenge. G, on the other hand, was often (3-4 times a week) in 10+ minutes late. He?s one of those laid-back but still-arrogant types. I know I out-performed him in every respect. He didn?t even make any kind of secret about the fact that he was actually thinking of quitting and starting another career.
In December I was told that I?d done a great job, and that as of January 1st would be an Account Manager ? I would even get an 8% pay rise. I had a lovely Christmas celebrating this with my family. It had been a tough end of the year ? plenty of late nights at the office. I was very proud of myself.
So ? I came back to the office this Monday. The MD sat us all down for a chat. At the end he said he had an announcement he was pleased to make; he was promoting me and G to Account Managers!
Later that day I took my line manager (who had been involved in the decision-making) aside for a quiet chat. I said I was confused ? I didn?t know G wanted to be promoted. Line manager said that he thought G had worked hard ? why not promote him? Now at this point I got a bit upset. As far as I was concerned, I had only been promoted because I had been working hard towards specific set goals for a long time. I didn?t see why he deserved it. It made me feel like all that work was for nothing. Line manager got irritated that I was upset, and honestly couldn?t see why I was complaining ? didn?t I just get given the promotion I was after?
So come on ? AIBU to be angry? Or should I just shut up and sit down?