It was the style at the time.
In all my years in the workplace, I only worked for one company that gave bonuses. The bonuses were based on how well the client rated our contract work, and they could be fairly substantial. The second year I worked there, my bonus was $12,000 gross. Otherwise, I never expected nor received one, and that was fine by me. I figured that continued employment was thanks enough.
The OP is lucky. My Christmas bonus this year, and it’s the first one I’ve ever gotten in 14 years, was my company saying, “Oh, yeah, we’re not going to be contributing to your 401k anymore.”
Now that was awesome.
It’s certainly better than a slap in the face.
I’ve had bonuses that were equal to two weeks pay – basically, you get a double paycheck right before Christmas (minus the higher bonus taxes). Those were nice. I’ve also gotten nothing at all…even from the same company as the two weeks pay bonus. Some years are just better than others.
I’ve gotten $100 as an intern right after I started the job…the boss said, “I know this isn’t much, but after all, you just started.” I was overjoyed to get anything at all, and $100 was a lot to a college kid.
I’ve also gotten a turkey.
But all in all, it’s a bonus, so you have to treat it that way…expect nothing, and anything you get seems like a nice little extra.
And when we got home, our dad would cut us in two with a great big knife.
But that’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year round!
If you’re counting on a bonus as a part of your salary, then it’s a slap in the face. Most companies do not operate this way anymore, though. I’d be grateful for any Christmas bonus, I’ve never gotten one.
Yup. I think it seems like a slap in the face because your expectations were not in line with reality, regor. A bonus is just that - a bonus. A company that had a very profitable year would do well to give their employees a nice bonus for employee morale and keeping people from leaving, but they have no obligation to do so.
That said, it’s one more thing to tuck into the back of your mind when considering whether to stay or look for another job if things start to go sour at this company.
If they regularly provide a Christmas bonus then it’s a real asshole move not to have one, or just some minimal token. If there’s a real business reason they can’t afford it then they should let people know ahead of time, explain why, and do what they can to provide something. They don’t have to, but if they don’t they’ll pay for it in lost productivity.
Not only have I not heard anything about receiving a Christmas bonus or any kind of gift where I work (and frankly, I wasn’t expecting anything this year), middle management started taking up a collection three days ago from the employees to buy the boss a gift card to a rather pricey restaurant. Then they just couldn’t figure out why only two out of the dozens of minimum wage earning employees working there chipped in.
I agree - to go from big bonus to almost no bonus should be explained. If you just started there and don’t know what they do, then I would have no expectations.
I’d have a hard time not laughing in their faces - as we discussed in a recent thread, gifts go down the chain of command, not up.
A while back, I worked for Paramount Pictures. (Distribution) They were really great to work for and we got a bonus 3 times a year. That bonus was based upon the projected amount of box office and the actual box office receipts.
Well I worked there when we released Titanic. Now that movie did a lot better than expected. They didn’t think it would turkey but the sure didn’t think it would do what it did. So the bonus should have been fantastic. Right? Well they decided that Titanic should be taken out of the bonus formula because the performance of that was due to it being a phenomenon, a freak occurrence.
We got nice plaques to hang in our offices though.
Group is evenly split, employees vs. consultants. The holiday lunch outing is ½ drive from office at a national chain (there are numerous {& better} places closer) & we all pay our own way. The employees get to go; however, the consultants are off the clock to go. That’s right, two hours without pay to attend a holiday lunch where you need to pay for your own food!
Last year, the check was divided evenly, which means the non-drinkers subsidized the booze of those who drank.
What is this “bonus” thing that you speak of?
If you don’t want the 30 bucks, I’ll take it off your hands. What can I say, I’m a giver 
Not where I work. The admin asisstant sends out texts soliciting cash for the boss of my office and the owner of the company. You only get to sign the card if you contribute, and the boss opens her card in from of the staff and reads each name. Anyone whose name is not on the card has a tough few weeks in store for her.
Dear lord where do you work!!! Oh…Tennessee. Nevermind.
I think it’s all about perspective and expectations. Some people think I’m wealthy and live in a mansion. I disagree. It all depends on what rung of the ladder you’re on.
I don’t know what percentage of people actually get a bonus, but I bet it’s small.
Your job is your job. You do a thing, you get paid x amount. To me, a bonus is a “thank you - go get yourself something nice that maybe you wouldn’t have”.
I suppose it depends on what you make and what the company has. No, the company isn’t obligated to give you X for a bonus, but if they can afford it, I think they should. Happy employees are better employees, all things being equal.
I’ve always had a family owned company, or worked for one. Keeping employees happy, and showing them that you care about them and their families is never a bad thing in my book.
If you make 50, or even 100k per year, you’re not rich. Yacht and jet payments are still tough up to 300k.
30 bucks is barely dinner for 4 at McDonalds, not a great steakhouse or lobsters for everyone. I’d be insulted.
500 is nice, and can be a nice weekend getaway, or a new head gasket on your Impala.
It’s certainly better than nothing.
1000 starts feeling nice at this income level. That’s a new washer and dryer or that riding mower your hubby has been wanting. Or it pays down a credit card some. You can fill the fridge, the basement freezer, and the pantry, AND get the kids a smartphone. It’s starting to help.
5 grand? It’s what I get, and I’ll sound like an ass, but all it gets me is another semester of college for Jr. at this point. Mrs. gets more, but won’t tell me how much.
It just goes to bills and whatever is broken this month. Car, HVAC, tree removal. Nothing romantic. For most lower income folks, this would be a life-changing amount, and I certainly realize that.
I know for a fact though, that 1 or 2 grand to someone raising a family on 30-80k/year can be a godsend, and I’d like to see more folks get something like that.
I managed to do it for 10 or 15 employees at my travel agencies on much less revenue than 75mil.
You are being ungrateful. A Christmas bonus is a gift. If you do not appreciate it, please donate it to a shelter or needy family.
I encountered your attitude when I was a floor supervisor in a cotton mill. At Christmas, all of the employees received a $15 gift card to a grocery store, and I handed them out to my shift. I couldn’t believe the nerve some people had when they expressed their displeasure with it. Some even threw it back at me. I picked them up and gave them to charity. Ungrateful bitches.
I don’t think it was the employees that were ungrateful.
I do.
Even if you are disappointed that that is all you get, you’re going to throw it in the face of the person who gives it to you (who, most likely, was not the person who made the decision that that’s what people will get this year)?
I did get a bonus this year, but that is in lieu of any salary increase. We’ve had a salary freeze for all non-union employees for three years and the organization knew that a fourth year would be deadly. (Union staff have continued to get increases each year, regardless of merit). The amount of our bonuses was not large, but I was happy with it.