Is it normal that i feel so let down by someone i mentored?
Am I right to feel annoyed that a trainee that I mentored for 2 years now acts like a complete dick to me?
I work as a lawyer in a competitive firm and took this guy under my wing for most of that time, gave him time off when he needed it, protected him from the board of directors when they blamed him for things going wrong and basically, gave him the skills he has today. People often commented that he should be grateful that I helped him out, he himself used to say thanks for how much I helped him etc. and gave him the skills and covered his ass when he screwed up. I did not ’mother’ him but gave him support and constructive criticism, in my own training, I had no support at all so I did go to some lengths to give him proper training.
In recruiting in the first place, I didn’t hire a “hot chick” and offered him the one place I was allowed to offer as I used my head rather than my dick in choosing him to work with the firm. I held off leaving the firm until he finished training and qualified as a lawyer as we were professional colleagues but also friends.
He qualified and tripled his salary; I left at the same time and moved on to a better salary as well. This is not the issue, but what annoys me is that since then, he has no time for me and completely insulted my close friend and myself at a function. He has damaged my reputation by talking to people in the firm we left and saying he did most of the work, my wife had a baby and he didn’t even bother to congratulate me or my wife. He made personal comments about my family to people in the firm and said I didn’t deserve the praise I got as he is “smarter” than me.
I don’t know what I want from you guys – but I am so disheartened that we live in a world of arrogant coke head assholes. I really thought I was doing what was right- mentoring someone and helping them train, when now its all kicked back in my face. I hate this guy, what an asshole. I asked him outright what his problem was and he just shrugged things off, saying he was busy.
I just can’t be bothered with making an effort with anyone anymore other than my wife and son. Every time I try and do something good, people take advantage of that.