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by Beks

Two months ago, I was told I would receive a double step promotion at work. I immediately started working in the position and signed all my correspondence with ‘Interim’ and my new position title.

A few weeks went by and I inquired when I could drop the ‘Interim’ from my title. No one knew.

A few more weeks went by and well… I started to get a bit grumpy. Was I going to forever be the ‘interim’ person and never officially be given the title?

More weeks passed and I think management was starting to pick up on my foul mood – never a good thing. They took me aside and explained that they were waiting for my scheduled merit increase to become effective before processing paperwork for the new position. Why? Because they didn’t want me to have to negotiate a promotion salary AND a merit increase.

Oops.

I flashed a bright smile, thanked them for considering both increases, prayed they’d forget my foul mood, and walked out with my tail between my legs. They were being beyond kind and I thought they were just dragging their feet.

As promised, my merit increase was added last week and I was immediately called to sign paperwork for the promotion. When they announced they wouldn’t negotiate my new salary, I was a bit disappointed. They told me I would be getting a 10% increase and smiled at me as though they had just announced I would get a new Mercedes. Bratty me was a bit saddened. I kinda hoped for 15%. At that rate, I’d finally be back to where I was before the recession.

I thanked them and went back to my desk, my mood deflated. HR stopped by about 15 minutes later to drop off the copies of my paperwork and whispered, ‘Just so you know, the president has never signed a 10% increase before – even for a double step promotion. You’ve obviously got management heavyweights who fought for you. Congrats!!’

I felt about 2 inches tall.

My managers did so much and how did I respond? Like a spoiled child. I have to remind myself that this isn’t 2005.

I spent the rest of the afternoon like my old self – smiling, laughing, working hard.

I’ve got a lot of making up to do.