Work hasn't given our bonuses this year - no notice (1 Viewer)

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The problem was counting on the bonus. The shark move is to be suprised if/when it comes.

Hence the term "Bonus".

Agreed, however when you give them every single year for at least the last 17 years, and the company did well financially last year, one would "expect" to receive a check, no?

We get Christmas bonuses every single year too, but I won't be expecting one next year.

Lesson learned but it's still a ####ty thing to do to your employees.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

The problem was counting on the bonus. The shark move is to be suprised if/when it comes.

Hence the term "Bonus".

Agreed, however when you give them every single year for at least the last 17 years, and the company did well financially last year, one would "expect" to receive a check, no?

We get Christmas bonuses every single year too, but I won't be expecting one next year.

Lesson learned but it's still a ####ty thing to do to your employees.

Why wouldn't you just ask your boss? As long as you ask in the proper manner, there will be no negative repercussions. Seems beyond silly that you would ##### about it in private but never engage your boss in a conversation about the topic. My guess is if anything he is surprised you haven't approached him already.

 

[StrikeS2k]

I thought bonuses were largely dead and gone in American business. Except maybe at start-ups for their first few years. And maybe for very high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies.

What industries are bonuses still semi-standard for the rank-&-file? Sales positions, I'm sure, but in what fields?

The company I work for just added bonuses down to my level. Well earlier this year they announced it but just got the first one at the beginning of August. Semi-annual. So was a nice bump, especially right after annual review and salary increase. So nope, not dead.

 

[Thorn]

Why wouldn't you just ask your boss? As long as you ask in the proper manner, there will be no negative repercussions. Seems beyond silly that you would ##### about it in private but never engage your boss in a conversation about the topic. My guess is if anything he is surprised you haven't approached him already.

Is there poor communication within your company? Has nobody spoke to people in upper management about this?

It seems like a topic that everyone is aware of, and people obviously have interest in. I'm surprised nothing had been mentioned.

Rumblings are going on. Guys are starting to freak out but we're all trying to remain patient and hope they do the right thing.

Why don't you rumble into the boss's office and ask? Just a thought

Ask your boss

Why don't you rumble into the boss's office and ask? Just a thought

Seriously. Sounds like you work in an environment of fear. Nobody feels comfortable enough to ask the boss?

So why can't you ask the question to your boss?

 

[Thorn]

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

That sucks. Hope it works out.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Kiss my ###. Kiss his ###. Kiss your ###. Happy Hanukkah.

 

[Tom Servo]

The problem was counting on the bonus. The shark move is to be suprised if/when it comes.

Hence the term "Bonus".

Agreed, however when you give them every single year for at least the last 17 years, and the company did well financially last year, one would "expect" to receive a check, no?

We get Christmas bonuses every single year too, but I won't be expecting one next year.

Lesson learned but it's still a ####ty thing to do to your employees.

It doesn't matter if they've given them out for 150 years; you don't plan for it. And, they can tell you or not, also their option. If you ask about it, someone will know. As long you ask professionally, there's NO reason to expect a reprisal.

 

[StrikeS2k]

I wouldn't go so far as to say not to plan for it. It depends on the company. I used to work for a company called Mercer HR consulting. The bonus was a defined part of your compensation starting at a certain level. So you could count on it each year. Not necessarily the amount because you had a range but you could count on getting a bonus, unless you just did your job horribly. Doesn't sound like that is the case here though.

 

[Braktastic]

Throw me a #######' bonus here!

 

[Village Idiot]

I thought bonuses were largely dead and gone in American business. Except maybe at start-ups for their first few years. And maybe for very high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies.

What industries are bonuses still semi-standard for the rank-&-file? Sales positions, I'm sure, but in what fields?

I've received a bonus for 23 out of the 25 years I have been at the current company I work for and I am not in Sales or Executive Management.I don't expect to get them so it's always nice when we do.

We do receive updates throughout the year on how we are doing in regards to our acheivement of our bonus which has clearly defined goals and rewards depending on what goals we acheive though.

 

[xulf]

I'm in my 9th year with my company and we get paid bonuses every year. Sometimes they are very good and others are not...just depends on the year the company has. They are not guaranteed and there is no real formula for them.

 

[shadyridr]

The problem was counting on the bonus. The shark move is to be suprised if/when it comes.

Hence the term "Bonus".

Agreed, however when you give them every single year for at least the last 17 years, and the company did well financially last year, one would "expect" to receive a check, no?

We get Christmas bonuses every single year too, but I won't be expecting one next year.

Lesson learned but it's still a ####ty thing to do to your employees.

It doesn't matter if they've given them out for 150 years; you don't plan for it. And, they can tell you or not, also their option. If you ask about it, someone will know. As long you ask professionally, there's NO reason to expect a reprisal.

Planning on having it is stupid (ie if he includes that as part of his budget every thats not fiscally responsible) but he has every right to be upset IMO.

I also dont understand why he doesnt just ask his boss.

 

[Insein]

This situation reminds me of a Chevy Chase movie. Fletch, I believe.

What the hell you need ball bearings for?

Come on fellas. Its all ball bearings now.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

If I don't get it by the end of the month, I will ask.

Of course I counted on it, but it's not like it was paramount to me making my mortgage payment or anything. I sure did expect to get it. Given the facts, why wouldn't I?

 

[shadyridr]

If I don't get it by the end of the month, I will ask.

Of course I counted on it, but it's not like it was paramount to me making my mortgage payment or anything. I sure did expect to get it. Given the facts, why wouldn't I?

I agree 100%. Same thing at my company. We get bonuses every year and it was part of our compensation letter when I agreed to take the job (meaning a range was given). That being said I don't make it part of my budget. One part being because the bonus can always differ. Another because god forbid they have a bad year they probably will take away bonuses.

 

[Bucky86]

You should quit

 

[Tackling Dummies]

If I don't get it by the end of the month, I will ask.

Of course I counted on it, but it's not like it was paramount to me making my mortgage payment or anything. I sure did expect to get it. Given the facts, why wouldn't I?

It is the end of the month.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

I would hate to have my bonus tied to the overall company performance but I'm in sales so I understand my view would be different if I was in a non-revenue generating role. I have an incentive compensation package but I view it differently than a company bonus.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I wouldn't ask, worrying and being sour about it is SO much better IMO.

 

[acarey50]

Our bonus is a combination of company performance and individual performance. Each level of employee has a range they are eligible for, say 8-12% for the mid-range salaried folks up to nearly 30% for upper management. Entry level and part imers do not get this.

In order to get the bonus, the company must meet a certain percentage of its goals. That's roughly 50% of the calculation.

You must also meet a certain level of your individual goals, which is tied in to your performance review.

They have aformula off of those factors that determines what percentage of your target bonus you get. In a good year financially, with a top notch performance review and the company hitting all goals, a person could get 150% of their target bonus.

With a naverage or subpar review or the company missing on its goals, you could only get 50% or even no bonus.

 

[moleculo]

Our bonus is a combination of company performance and individual performance. Each level of employee has a range they are eligible for, say 8-12% for the mid-range salaried folks up to nearly 30% for upper management. Entry level and part imers do not get this.

In order to get the bonus, the company must meet a certain percentage of its goals. That's roughly 50% of the calculation.

You must also meet a certain level of your individual goals, which is tied in to your performance review.

They have aformula off of those factors that determines what percentage of your target bonus you get. In a good year financially, with a top notch performance review and the company hitting all goals, a person could get 150% of their target bonus.

With a naverage or subpar review or the company missing on its goals, you could only get 50% or even no bonus.

we have a similar (or identical) plan.

 

[lod01]

Is there poor communication within your company? Has nobody spoke to people in upper management about this?

It seems like a topic that everyone is aware of, and people obviously have interest in. I'm surprised nothing had been mentioned.

Rumblings are going on. Guys are starting to freak out but we're all trying to remain patient and hope they do the right thing.

Maybe they are doing the right thing.

 

[AAABatteries]

Sounds like karma for being a Cowboys fan.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Sounds like karma for being a Cowboys fan.

yes, because for the last 20 years the Cowboys have been wonderful.

 

[AAABatteries]

Sounds like karma for being a Cowboys fan.

yes, because for the last 20 years the Cowboys have been wonderful.

Sure, but you still make the universe angry rooting for them.

 

[Maelstrom]

Work in the web industry, gotten a bonus even in "bad" years. That said, I never count it in my salary or for anything specific, and so it is always a nice bonus.

 

[eoMMan]

It's Friday. Ask today and report back. Man up.

 

[SacramentoBob]

It's 2 pages and no one has suggested that he ask his boss? Just go ask.

 

[Juxtatarot]

It's 2 pages and no one has suggested that he ask his boss? Just go ask.

Several times, first in post 12. Would have been sooner but guys were eager to make movie jokes.

 

[Thorn]

It's 2 pages and no one has suggested that he ask his boss? Just go ask.

Several times, first in post 12. Would have been sooner but guys were eager to make movie jokes.

 

[The Duff Man]

Poor form for them not to address it. If it is paid every year and they cant for some reason they should manage the employee expectations and not leave them wondering about it on message boards...

 

[Griffindor]

81 replies and not one person has suggested asking the boss? What a bunch of guppies.

 

[eoMMan]

Are you going to man up and ask or just be a little cockroach...like all of your beloved Cowboys?

:eaglesfanhere:

 

[Quez]

I haven't had a bonus since 2006 if it makes you feel any better.

 

[xulf]

Maybe they changed their bonus strategy and want to only give it to those who are assertive. They bundled the bonuses for the entire company into one big payout for the first person who asks.

 

[SWC]

hey man i hope that they come through and you get a bonus i get it trust me i get it i hope that it comes through for you take that to the bank brohan

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I thought bonuses were largely dead and gone in American business. Except maybe at start-ups for their first few years. And maybe for very high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies.

What industries are bonuses still semi-standard for the rank-&-file? Sales positions, I'm sure, but in what fields?

Solutions engineer here. I'm no exec. my next promotion gets me into bonus territory. Hopefully everything's gonna be comin up Ahrn next year.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Are you going to man up and ask or just be a little cockroach...like all of your beloved Cowboys?

:eaglesfanhere:

I'll ask when you guys win a Superbowl.

 

[SWC]

brohan do you know who else has not won a superbowl that is right the jacksonville jagars one of the most storied and proud franchises in all of the history of the nfl so climb down off of that high horse right there and say you are sorry take that to the bank brohans

 

[Sand]

Solutions engineer here.

So what classes do you take for this? Figuring Stuff Out 101, Phrasing Answers 201, How to keep the Client Paying after the Solution 301?

 

[NIU Kicker]

Maybe you should consider asking your boss?

 

[17seconds]

Funny Farm is a really underrated comedy

 

[Mister CIA]

Solutions engineer here.

So what classes do you take for this? Figuring Stuff Out 101, Phrasing Answers 201, How to keep the Client Paying after the Solution 301?

Corroborating the Elaboration about the Collaboration 101, presented exclusively by the Confoundation Foundation Nation.

 

[parasaurolophus]

My company gives a sizeable bonus every year to almost every employee. Last year one driver didnt get one and that was it. He rolled a truck and hit a car in our lot. I take that back.He got a bonus. He didn't get fired. We have a big party for it. The owners call every person up one by one and hand them their check and say something nice about each employee in front of the crowd. Lots of clapping, cheering, laughing, etc. It is a pretty fun evening. Most people go out afterward too, except for the people that got less than the year before. They always pout and disappear very quickly. Every year there are 2-3 employees that ask for a meeting to get an explanation of why their bonus went down. I actually had an employee that made a $54,000 mistake demand an explanation as to why he got 700 dollars less than the year before. When informed why, he was angry that he was penalized for an "accident".

Every year we stress that this is a 100% discretionary bonus based on three factors. 1. The company's performance. 2. The employee's performance. 3. Any future major expenses.

We are about to have our 4th record year in a row. We have actually discussed in past bonus allocation meetings not upping the bonuses to match this record growth we have had, since we knew it wasn't going to last forever and we were genuinely worried people would always expect it. In the end though we did increase them. This year bonuses will likely be a lot less than last year. Everybody will ##### and moan and be miserable to deal with for a while. We are trying to acquire multiple companies. We need cash.

We can explain it to them every which way, but it won't matter. Everybody will simply believe they got a paycut. They of course will refuse to acknowledge that their bonus had more than doubled,even quadrupled for some, in the last three years. I have warehouse employees that got 1000 in 2010 that got 4000 last year and will get 2000 this year and they will be complete jerks after they get their checks. Not all of course, but probably half of them.

When bonuses get viewed as salary, it is a big problem. It causes lots of friction between ownership/mgmt and employees.

I would not be shocked if the owners realized that your company had this culture and decided to cut them for a year just to send the message that it is a bonus, not wages.

 

[jamny]

Is it the end of the month yet?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Blackmale your boss' wife

racist

 

[cstu]

I thought bonuses were largely dead and gone in American business. Except maybe at start-ups for their first few years. And maybe for very high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies.

What industries are bonuses still semi-standard for the rank-&-file? Sales positions, I'm sure, but in what fields?

We used to have bi-annual bonuses paid out. Usually was 1/2 month of pay for each employee each time. In 2009 we stopped just issuing bonuses without regard for company profit. Now our bonuses are paid quarterly, are tied to the profit of the company. Since 2011 they have equaled more annually per employee than prior to the shift in basing them directly off profits.

The company is in manufacturing but is not the norm as it is 100% employee owned across the board. No one employee owns more than 4% of company stock. Our benefit package is always been higher than industry norms though.

Sounds communist, think it should be taken over by capitalists who would cut those excessive bonuses.

 

[cstu]

My company gives a sizeable bonus every year to almost every employee. Last year one driver didnt get one and that was it. He rolled a truck and hit a car in our lot. I take that back.He got a bonus. He didn't get fired. We have a big party for it. The owners call every person up one by one and hand them their check and say something nice about each employee in front of the crowd. Lots of clapping, cheering, laughing, etc. It is a pretty fun evening. Most people go out afterward too, except for the people that got less than the year before. They always pout and disappear very quickly. Every year there are 2-3 employees that ask for a meeting to get an explanation of why their bonus went down. I actually had an employee that made a $54,000 mistake demand an explanation as to why he got 700 dollars less than the year before. When informed why, he was angry that he was penalized for an "accident".

Every year we stress that this is a 100% discretionary bonus based on three factors. 1. The company's performance. 2. The employee's performance. 3. Any future major expenses.

We are about to have our 4th record year in a row. We have actually discussed in past bonus allocation meetings not upping the bonuses to match this record growth we have had, since we knew it wasn't going to last forever and we were genuinely worried people would always expect it. In the end though we did increase them. This year bonuses will likely be a lot less than last year. Everybody will ##### and moan and be miserable to deal with for a while. We are trying to acquire multiple companies. We need cash.

We can explain it to them every which way, but it won't matter. Everybody will simply believe they got a paycut. They of course will refuse to acknowledge that their bonus had more than doubled,even quadrupled for some, in the last three years. I have warehouse employees that got 1000 in 2010 that got 4000 last year and will get 2000 this year and they will be complete jerks after they get their checks. Not all of course, but probably half of them.

When bonuses get viewed as salary, it is a big problem. It causes lots of friction between ownership/mgmt and employees.

I would not be shocked if the owners realized that your company had this culture and decided to cut them for a year just to send the message that it is a bonus, not wages.

That'll teach 'em.

 

[tommyboy]

with zero communication, i'd assume they are in trouble and don't want to talk about it. Therefore, logical next move is to sharpen your resume and start seeking a new job. Get an offer, then tell them you're gone unless they match or exceed it.

employees often times forget they have value too, not just the job. You should always be trying to maximize your value to companies and be rewarded for it. What's the point of havin a job if you aren't getting financially rewarded?