I know that it’s the thought that counts, should be thankful for anything, etc etc
But at what point is it almost insulting? You know, like when a diner leaves like $0.02 for a waitress on a $50 tab.
For ease of comparison, let’s talk in percentage of one month’s pay.
What’s the deal with Christmas or New Years bonuses? Is it based on how well the company does that CY?
I don’t get any kind of bonus, so the whole idea is odd to me.
What’s the deal with Christmas or New Years bonuses? Is it based on how well the company does that CY?
I don’t get any kind of bonus, so the whole idea is odd to me.
The OP needs to specify the profession b/c that makes a huge difference. For example – in the legal profession, year end bonus is considered an integral part of one’s overall compensation. My firm, like most firms, determines the bonus pool based on overall fiscal year success. The bonus pool is then distributed based on a variety of metrics including, but, not limited to, hours worked and fees billed. We also give bonuses to all of our staff, which is based on merit.
That’s how it works for us too (IT) except bonus’s go out at the end of the fiscal year (September).
$0
Don’t get no bonus.
Oops, you said percent.
0%
Christmas bonus? I got a slip of paper that let me leave 2 hours early in a card from my boss.
We get an annual bonus that comes out in the Spring, 2 - 5% 'ish. Depends on company performance and what pay grade you are. A couple times in the early 00’s we got around 7.5%, they really didn’t intend for it to be that much and changed formulas pretty quickly.
I know that it’s the thought that counts, should be thankful for anything, etc etc
But at what point is it almost insulting?
For me, the issue has always been managing expectations. I have been handing out bonuses for the last several years and nothing sucks more than spending half a day handing out a shit-ton of money and walking away feeling like shit b/c the recipients seem unhappy. It is very, very eye-opening being on the other side of the table (i.e., the one handing out the bonuses). You can have 95% of the people happy and still will only remember the 5% who were not satisfied. I want everyone to be happy and/or excited. But, I have learned that I could quadruple the bonuses and there still would be a few who were not happy, or at least were unable to express it. I don’t want or expect them to be grateful, I want them to be happy.
I know that it’s the thought that counts, should be thankful for anything, etc etc
But at what point is it almost insulting?
For me, the issue has always been managing expectations. I have been handing out bonuses for the last several years and nothing sucks more than spending half a day handing out a shit-ton of money and walking away feeling like shit b/c the recipients seem unhappy. It is very, very eye-opening being on the other side of the table (i.e., the one handing out the bonuses). You can have 95% of the people happy and still will only remember the 5% who were not satisfied. I want everyone to be happy and/or excited. But, I have learned that I could quadruple the bonuses and there still would be a few who were not happy, or at least were unable to express it. I don’t want or expect them to be grateful, I want them to be happy.
My company seems to have a hard time with this. They like to tout over and over how the company saw profit of $1B +. Then hand out bonuses that frequently are under $1k after taxes. There comes a point where they might be better off with a jam of the month bonus. Or maybe just not talk about the huge profits so much.
But there is also the fact that there are a lot of people you can never make happy. Every year we have still gotten at least some bonus, still had raises, and the company is not going anywhere so jobs are safe. Those are all pretty big deals. If anyone is really mad about their bonus they are free to give it to me, I’ll pay the taxes for it and be mad for them at how small it is.
I got a hundo. Cash money. Plus a Christmas Party with free dinner and open bar. I love the private sector!
I work for a large government agency. Zero.
Same. At least I can claim O/T. 
Agree, finance is similar. My number is ~25% but i look at it as normal part of total comp and not a nice yr end token.
Small family company - $3000 x 2 guys, a nice bottle of wine, 5-11 tactical watch and a nice party.
I used to work for a company that had year end bonuses. When people started referring to them as company bonuses they moved the bonus pay out to March.
Bonus was calculated on the company’s performance that year. Bonus could be up to 15% of salary.
My bonus: I am allowed to use one of my vacation days on December 25th!
My bonus: I am allowed to use one of my vacation days on December 25th!
Not quite that bad, but I am told to take a week of vacation at year end.
I use to get enough to put in a pool, this year I got a certificate for the Jelly of the Month Club
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I know that it’s the thought that counts, should be thankful for anything, etc etc
But at what point is it almost insulting?
For me, the issue has always been managing expectations. I have been handing out bonuses for the last several years and nothing sucks more than spending half a day handing out a shit-ton of money and walking away feeling like shit b/c the recipients seem unhappy. It is very, very eye-opening being on the other side of the table (i.e., the one handing out the bonuses). You can have 95% of the people happy and still will only remember the 5% who were not satisfied. I want everyone to be happy and/or excited. But, I have learned that I could quadruple the bonuses and there still would be a few who were not happy, or at least were unable to express it. I don’t want or expect them to be grateful, I want them to be happy.
My company seems to have a hard time with this. They like to tout over and over how the company saw profit of $1B +. Then hand out bonuses that frequently are under $1k after taxes. There comes a point where they might be better off with a jam of the month bonus. Or maybe just not talk about the huge profits so much.
But there is also the fact that there are a lot of people you can never make happy. Every year we have still gotten at least some bonus, still had raises, and the company is not going anywhere so jobs are safe. Those are all pretty big deals. If anyone is really mad about their bonus they are free to give it to me, I’ll pay the taxes for it and be mad for them at how small it is.
It’s going to depend company by company and it can be a very thorny issue. Often times, bonuses are based on some pre-determined metrics (revenue, profit, growth, working capital, market share, etc.). So, if your company’s profits are $1billion per year, but their target was $2billion then you’re screwed.
The best way for larger companies to manage bonuses is to ensure that everyone knows how the bonus payouts are calculated, what each individual’s potential payout is and when they will get paid. That way there is no ambiguity and unhappiness.
At our company we have see-sawed between bonuses being based on total company metrics to departmental ones etc. there are pros and cons to both ways.
We are about to embark on making a portion of them linked to personal performance measures which is going to be extremely interesting. It will bring up many potential issues. Some people may feel that their individual targeta are much tougher than others…which will cause jealousy and feelings of unfairness.
I do feel lucky to get a really decent bonus…but never count on it.
I use to get enough to put in a pool, this year I got a certificate for the Jelly of the Month Club
Clark, that’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
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I know that it’s the thought that counts, should be thankful for anything, etc etc
But at what point is it almost insulting? You know, like when a diner leaves like $0.02 for a waitress on a $50 tab.
For ease of comparison, let’s talk in percentage of one month’s pay.
Remodeling company. I paid out bonuses roughly equal to 10% of each employees yearly gross.