Company Christmas Gifts / Bonuses? 1330
A wisely anonymous reader writes "Following my company's Christmas party on Friday, I found myself the proud recipient of... a bobble head doll of the company CEO! Needless to say I was PISSED. They didn't even comp. parking at the site of the party, let alone a bonus. yeah, yeah, times are tough. I should be happy just to have a job. but getting a damn doll of the guy who made 65 million last year just makes me angry. So... What did you get from your Company for Christmas?"
Work (Score:4, Funny)
2 Years ago, Last year, This year. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:2 Years ago, Last year, This year. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:2 Years ago, Last year, This year. (Score:5, Funny)
Where I work, we always get a bonus...
iPod!!! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:iPod!!! (Score:5, Funny)
And if not, maybe matches?
Re:iPod!!! (Score:4, Funny)
voodoo (Score:5, Funny)
Re:voodoo (Score:5, Funny)
Hey, I managed to sell an empty, used, chewed BIC pen. CEO bobble heads could be pricesless...
Re:voodoo (Score:5, Funny)
Hang it in effigy. Get a bunch of your co-workers to do the same, hang about 20 of them in effigy from coat hangers.
If anyone asks, it's a mobile.
Re:voodoo (Score:5, Informative)
Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:4, Insightful)
This kind of statement, "funny" though it may be, is a pretty good reflection of the current (IMHO stupid) feelings of a lot of people on Slashdot, judging from their comments.
A bonus is a special reward -- an employee did something really exceptional and their employer wanted to show their appreciation.
A bonus is *not* something that an employer is required or expected to give to an employee. If you wanted more *salary*, you should have negotiated it.
I'm not sure at what point workers started feeling that they were "entitled" to this gift. A Christmas bonus is a nice idea, but it certainly isn't something guaranteed. And, readers, if you're relying on it to support your finances around Christmas time, harsh as this may sound, you deserve whatever's coming. It's time for some actual financial management.
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:5, Insightful)
This past year we got roll-up blankets, which from what I hear is the best Employee Appreciation Week gift ever. This must be a techie thing: I know some people probably get off on stuff like this, but I could really care less. You want to "Appreciate" me, give me a half-day off or something.
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:5, Interesting)
One of our managers slipped up one day when a computer was stolen and stated "Damnit! that's going to come out of our bonus again" This leads us to believe only upper managment is receiving a bonus although we were all told we would be getting a bonus quarterly..
We commonly hear " You guys need to get sales up or we will not have a bonus this quater " Then we hear nothing!! Not even hey we didn't make enough to give out a bonus this quarter, nothing..
Yes we should ask about our bonus, but honestly I think we all fear our current economy and don't want to make any waves, But is it not wronge for them to simply dismiss something we were told we would receive? When I took my job I figured in my salary + my vacation + my estimated bonus.. All the sudden I feel robbed when I reflect on it. Especially when I am praised for the great work I am doing, if I want lip service I will go on a date.
Let me close by saying, I like my job. In fact I have turned down higher paying positions simply because I like my working environment. But when times get tight I start to ask myself if I should be looking for employment elsewhere.
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm not sure at what point workers started feeling that they were "entitled" to this gift.
The calculating view: Nothing your employer never gives you is a gift. It is compensation for services rendered or incentive cultivation of good will. Either way, the employer deducts it and the employee is taxed on it, with certain minor exceptions for gifts worth less than $25 and the like. According to the IRS, employer-to-employee gifts simply don't happen, and I don't think we should be any less stoic.
As for bonuses being per se gratuitous, that's not so perhaps because the popular understanding of bonus bridges over into year-end compensation. An incentive bonus between employers and employees as an express or implied part of the work relationship can not be withheld on caprice -- it's merely delayed compensation. Entitlement to a future bonus may be valid even post-termination: employers sometimes illegally fire employees to avoid paying benefits.
In short, in some cases the expectation of bonus is morally justified; in more severe cases it may be a legally actionable entitlement. In rare cases the discriminatory or abritrary administration of a bonus system may also be illegal (racist, sexist, and so on).
But I digress because of the compulsion to be thorough. My philosophical advice: Remember, it's not a gift, it's compensation.
Your comment is a reflection of the unfortunate and legally inaccurate attitude that employers are doing you a favor by giving you a job, bonuses, and so on -- while also acting as though employment contracts were negotiated among equals. Which is it?
And, readers, if you're relying on it to support your finances around Christmas time, harsh as this may sound, you deserve whatever's coming.
Sure, and you may also deserve that bonus coming. And I don't mean a fuck-you bobbing doll of your wealthy CEO, fit only for target practice. (OK, perhaps that was the writer's due reward; I'm being charitable.) What the writer apparently feels is a moral betrayal. It's hard to judge reasonableness without knowing enough details, but the decision could go either way. If it looks likely this crap will continue regardless of work performance, I'd recommend updating the resume.
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:4, Insightful)
Ooogh. I always seem to dislike the ideals of both the left and right wings...unions and religious nuts. Ick.
The calculating view: Nothing your employer never gives you is a gift. It is compensation for services rendered or incentive cultivation of good will.
[shrug] Sure, and if you look at some of my other posts in this story (like the HR department being happy to drop you like a hot potato), you'll see that I agree. "Gift" works well for illustrating the degree of expectation that one should have for a bonus, though.
Either way, the employer deducts it and the employee is taxed on it, with certain minor exceptions for gifts worth less than $25 and the like.
This is criticism of some sort of business-centric government, I'm assuming, since you're taking the "left wing" approach? Nah. There's no conspiracy. If a bonus is beneficial to you, you can afford to make a larger, flashier bonus.
According to the IRS, employer-to-employee gifts simply don't happen, and I don't think we should be any less stoic.
As I said, I don't consider it truly a gift, but from the employee's point of view, that's the degree of reliability that should be assigned. And whatever the IRS wants to classify something as has little bearing on what it actually is -- there's too much money involved in bonuses for the IRS not to have fun regulating things.
As for bonuses being per se gratuitous, that's not so perhaps because the popular understanding of bonus bridges over into year-end compensation. An incentive bonus between employers and employees as an express or implied part of the work relationship can not be withheld on caprice -- it's merely delayed compensation. Entitlement to a future bonus may be valid even post-termination: employers sometimes illegally fire employees to avoid paying benefits.
Sure. And while I'm sure it's happened at some point, I've never heard of a Christmas bonus (particularly for any specific amount) being granted either expressly or implied.
In short, in some cases the expectation of bonus is morally justified
Come on, now. A *moral* justification? You're opening a can of worms -- are *your* morals the same as others?
in more severe cases it may be a legally actionable entitlement
You still need to provide your "express or implied part of the work relationship" element.
In rare cases the discriminatory or abritrary administration of a bonus system may also be illegal (racist, sexist, and so on).
True (though that complaint is ridiculously overused in the United States), but that doesn't really have bearing on what we're talking about here -- a doll instead of a fat cash bonus.
But I digress because of the compulsion to be thorough. My philosophical advice: Remember, it's not a gift, it's compensation.
It's an incentive, but not an agreed-upon form of compensation.
Your comment is a reflection of the unfortunate and legally inaccurate attitude that employers are doing you a favor by giving you a job, bonuses, and so on -- while also acting as though employment contracts were negotiated among equals. Which is it?
I do not agree. A favor of giving you a job? They're trying to maximize their own bottom line...and the same goes for bonuses. You can't reasonably have extrapolated to this degree simply from my use of the word "gift".
Sure, and you may also deserve that bonus coming.
Do you "deserve" it? I see the moral can o' worms coming again. "Deserving" something is a wonderful tool to use in an argument, because it's so fantastically ill-defined, and because people tend to have fairly self-centric views on what is "deserved". Wendy and Miki may both feel that they "deserve" the big, orange _____, and there is no resolution to the problem that doesn't leave one feeling that she's been stiffed.
What the writer apparently feels is a moral betrayal.
If it looks likely this crap will continue regardless of work performance, I'd recommend updating the resume.
Oh, criminy. You're willing to say this without knowing what his salary and benefits *already* are?
Re:Whining about Christmas bonuses is pretty sorry (Score:4, Insightful)
Quick: What do you think the CEO got as his contractual, required bonus that year?
In this age of outrageous executive salarys (STILL, even in the age of gargantuan bankrupcys and frauds) and large layoffs at the same time, giving employees a bobble head of the CEO is an incredible slap in the face.
Loyalty to a company (Score:5, Insightful)
"Loyalty to a company" in just about any company over fifty people or so is a sweet-sounding nonexistant Grail. It's lovely material to feed a worker to make him more productive, but it's silly. The company has no particular loyalty to you -- to HR, you're just another statistic that might potentially be sucking down money, and if you ever become a liability instead of an asset (after, of course, factoring in the cost of firing you and the effects on your coworkers of doing so, and considering your future potential value), the company will drop you like a hot potato. The company has no loyalty to you -- why should you to it?
Now, that doesn't mean that justifies things like stealing from the company or trying to shaft it (as some people seem to feel) -- things like this frequently come back and hurt you far worse than any possible benefit. However, whenever you get stuck in your head that the company you work at is a kind, loving father or something, instead of a cold, profit-seeking institution, you're running the risk of painful dillusionment.
I see people post here ever so frequently that "I gave 80 hours a week of work to my company and they didn't give me anything back" or "Times are tight, so my company is firing because it's best for all of us, but they really don't want to fire me". Bad mental state to be in. Don't come to rely on your company for more than they signed on for in your contract, and you won't have any nasty surprises.
This wasn't all aimed at you, more of a general feeling towards Slashdotters complaining that they didn't get what they expected...
That wasn't a bonus. (Score:5, Insightful)
I suspect most of that company's employees would've been happier skipping the doll and not having had to pay for parking for the party.
Glue it to the bottom of a urinal (Score:5, Funny)
Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
What exactly have you done that is so special and above what you are paid to do that justifies your expectation of extra pay purely because it is december?
Genuine question.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
1.) A lot of salaried people work a whole helluva lot of overtime, especially towards the end of the year. They don't get overtime or anything for this because it's just 'part of their job'. It's not unreasonable to want to get a bit of compensation for that extra work.
2.) There are some companies who are doing better now-a-days (like mine) than they were a year ago. This is often a result of hard workers within the company. Reward us.
I never expect one, but I'm pleasantly surprised if I do get one.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:4, Interesting)
Of course, they ended up working out a contract where we only changed up to time-and-a-half, so a few weeks I was told to shift hours around, but it was still pretty nice. And after a few months, emergency legislation was passed to put things back to "normal."
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Whatever they spent on the design and making of such thing has to be seen as wasted spending. It did not relate the the product of the company, and it likely hurt the company's ability to retain employees.
The Christmas bonus is a concept in which the owners of the company give to the employees money that they don't have to because that giving inspires goodwill between the employees and the company. Employees who like their present employer are less likely to start looking for ways to jump to the competition or into another field.
For the company to say "Sorry, times are tough, we can't afford a bonus/party/gift" is acceptable if it's true. For the CEO to flaunt his ability to spend company money on his own image while saying that times are tough is an action that is so loud it drowns out his words.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Funny)
Hey, he never said where he works. Maybe he works for a bobblehead making company.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:4, Interesting)
In Japan, it is illegal for the lowes-paid employee in any given company to be paid less than a specified percentage of the highest-paid employee. It's a bit of a socialist tendency, but there's definitely some thought behind the law.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Informative)
The small/medium sized company I work for had a hard start to 2002. Our CEO took a 20% pay cut and the rest of the senior management team (the VP level people) took a 10% pay cut. All other salaries were frozen. This does happen in the real world. For every idiot boss who thinks his folks want a bobblehead of him, there are many good bosses who know how to survive rough times.
My company is now doing better and 2003 should be a great improvement.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
What did the CEO do that is so special that it creates his/her expectation of 6-figure salaries with use of company assets and a golden parachute regardless of the time of year?
Are they that much better educated or hard working? Probably not. Are they really that good of a manager? Probably not. It's hard not to be lazy when you have a staff of assistants and your leather chair and hardwood desk are so comfy after that prime rib lunch today...
Maybe if people were simply paid better for the work they DO, they wouldn't be behind on bills and expect a bonus just to make ends meet.I don't buy the whole "times are tough" bullshit when stuff like this goes on. I'm talking about hooking people up with less than a $1000 to show some appreciation for those who stick around and put up with company politics, backstabbing, and egos.
Yeah, I'm sure the childless, single people with no responsibilities will chime in with suggestions about better managing finances...but you folks are obviously more readily able to absorb unforseeable hits on your pocketbook because you aren't paying for daycare. health insurance, etc. So what if you have to buy 20 less lattes this month and can't afford that new masturbatory turbo video card. Oh, my bleeding heart...
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:3, Insightful)
but you folks are obviously more readily able to absorb unforseeable hits on your pocketbook because you aren't paying for daycare. health insurance, etc. So what if you have to buy 20 less lattes this month and can't afford that new masturbatory turbo video card. Oh, my bleeding heart...
Just because YOU and partner, made the choice to have children is not a reasonable justification for the lack of fiscal responsibility. Perhaps instead of me buying twenty less lattes this month you should of had the fore sight to learn about birth control.
It also insenses me that you have the nerve to make it seem like companies favor childless, single people. I've received many an e-mail from my employers about Halloween parties for children of employees or Santa visiting, those dollars spent could go to my salary or a nice party for the "Adults"
As far as being able to absorb unforseeable hit to the pocket book. I'm sure that "S/he has a family to support" has influenced many a layoff.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:4, Insightful)
Nowadays, the tax rate is so oppressive one person has to work just to pay the tax burden.
And yet, like the sheep that we are, we will continue voting for republicrats or demopublicans that'll just keep sticking it to us.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not fucking funny. Some of us really do work that hard. No shit, I'm on call 24/7/365 without any additional pay. I can not go out and have more than two beers unless I'm on vacation because I'm on call.
I have to take odd jobs to help make ends meet. I go the extra mile just to put a smile on my kids faces this winter.
To those of you who actually have the comfort about complaining about what little bonus you get, and then think that his post is funny, I say:
Fuck you!
You know what's worse? You're my boss.
That's right pal, I'm a government employee.
Think about that for a minute. What if I suddenly decided that I should chase a better job. I donno, something like your job where you get bonuses, cheesy as they may be. Who are you gonna get to keep your 911 centers running then? You're not, unless you are willing to pay more (in taxes).
So go ahead, mod it up as funny. Give him a 5. Get yourself a good laugh.
But when you go to bed tonight say your prayers. Pray that you don't ever, EVER find yourself in the position of having to make every dollar count.
Re:Christmas bonus - why? (Score:5, Insightful)
In the US, it is customary practice to give a 15% tip to wait staff. If the wait service sucks, you give less. If the service is exceptionally good, you give more.
In some businesses and industries, it is customary to give a holiday (or quarterly or annual) bonus.
If suddenly a company suddenly decides to give a bobble-head doll instead, then the employees certainly have a right and duty to be pissed off.... just like when the waitress is stiffed at the local restaurant.
Is it illegal? No. Tacky and rude? Very much so.
The best reaction is to find a better paying job. And when you leave, make sure you tell them that you were disappointed in your pay and bonus.
If we're lucky... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:If we're lucky... (Score:5, Funny)
Regiving (Score:5, Funny)
Maybe he'll get the message then.
A bobble head CEO doll? (Score:3, Insightful)
What I got (Score:5, Funny)
the shaft.
I got a quarter bag... (Score:5, Funny)
That BITES (Score:3, Informative)
Really. Suctitiude.
What did we get for Christmas? Nothing. The company decided to host the annual "Holiday Party" (It's not a Christmas party, let's not be offensive!) in the company cafeteria.
Feels like I'm back in high school
Instead, one of my vendors (a Sun reseller) is taking us out on a cruise around Manhattan island. Now *THAT'S* nice!
And bonuses? We don't get holiday bonuses; instead we get "merit-based" bonuses at the end of the 1st quarter, based on our performance last year. My target is 10% of my salary, but my bonus typically ranges in the 5-6% range -- nobody ever gets their full target percentage. That wouldn't be fair to the bell curve!
So I can't really complain. Sure, they went cheap on the holiday party, but my Sun sales rep & friends are the folks I want to have a few drinks with anyway! At least I'm still employed, and hopefully our 1Q bonuses will be good this year -- we had the best 3rd quarter on record, ever. Added 1.1 million customers
--NBVB
Don't you get it? (Score:5, Funny)
Count yourself lucky... (Score:3, Interesting)
Where I work, I write software for all kinds of stuff, but get about 60p more per hour than when I was at the museum telling customers where the loos were. I have to work late each day next week to save up hours so we can have the afternoon off to go to a pub lunch. That is what we get for christmas. Nothing. Nada. No time off for the christmas lunch (which we are paying for). My dept isn't doing badly, but the others are finding it tough, hence the austerity measures.
A New Computer!!!!! (Score:3, Funny)
lol (Score:5, Funny)
Let me guess... (Score:5, Funny)
You work for Oracle?
Re:Let me guess... (Score:5, Interesting)
hell, if you work in IT at all and want to vent about your bonus, send me an email.
</self-interested plea>
My bonus.. (Score:3, Interesting)
As a Hall Kinnion Contractor I Got ... (Score:5, Funny)
Now the stock is at 5.479
Guess what they are offering this year for contractors who work over 100 hours this holiday season.....
Re:As a Hall Kinnion Contractor I Got ... (Score:3, Informative)
Secondly, optoions are worth a lot, if the strike price is lower than market..
Thirdly, if you have some issue with exercising them right away, GET A BETTER BROKER.
If your broker has proof you have the options, he should have NO PROBLEM shorteslling the stock the second you call him to do it, and then you replace the short with your options. THAT is how you get current market price on options, without risk.
Exercising options on the open market and then holding the stock is a BAD idea.... there is a taxable benefit on the difference between what you paid and fair market value of the stock. It's not considered capital gains.. which means if the stock goes down, you get a capital loss, but you can't offset your tax obligation.
Go with the short.
Quit (Score:5, Funny)
Out of curiosity, where do you work? What are the benefits like? Would they pay to relocate?
Re:Quit (Score:5, Funny)
I'm sure he ran over it with his car in the parking lot. If anyone else got bobble-head dolls, you should smash them all with hammers, shove them in a box and fed-ex them to that fat bastard's office along with a note that says: "We made you. We can break you".
Then just wait for the cops to show up.
Re:Quit (Score:4, Funny)
Hang on to those bobble head dolls--- (Score:5, Funny)
At least... (Score:3, Funny)
Which, IMHO, led to one of the best tirades in a motion picture.
Re:At least... (Score:4, Funny)
What the - ! (Score:3, Interesting)
Considering how the economy is right now, I expect you will see a bunch of "you're lucky you have a job" flames.
Incidently, I got turkey money - a gift certificate for a major supermarket chain. We usually get a bonus if the company sells a certain amount of product, but due to extenuating circumstances (drawn out price negotiations with a major customer which means we'll sell a lot of product next year but didn't hit our forecast at all this year) we won't be getting anything.
And we're fighting off a hostile takeover right now, so I may just get a pink slip for christmas (or have to move to another city, if I'm lucky).
Merry fucking Christmas everyone
Could be worse (Score:4, Interesting)
Could have been worse (Score:5, Funny)
Why doesn't the CEO take a pay cut? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why doesn't the CEO take a pay cut? (Score:4, Insightful)
For one, the salaries you mentioned aren't that common. But even in the cases where they are, the companies feel they are producing value worth that amount over the term of their contracts. The company doesn't have to pay it, but if it is that calibur of CEO, another company will. Just like sports salary's. You don't *have* to pay a given player $20 million, but if you don't there is another team that will. What's wrong with that?
Are you saying you would stay at your job out of loyalty, even if they were paying you $25,000 and another offered you $75,000?
-Bill
The things that irk me the most... (Score:5, Insightful)
- the company actually spends money on thousands of these promotional pieces of junk, money that could have instead been spent on the bottom line, or at least on something that isn't tossed, ignored, and useless.
- someone in the company gets paid to come up with the idea of the bobble-head doll, and other pieces of promotional junk that your typical employee ignores
I mean hey, a gift that shows that people in the company are thinking of you is nice, but these meaningless items reek of the "you are a number" philosophy. It seems like the bigger a company gets, the more likely that it is to generate this kind of landfill.As an employee of county government...... (Score:4, Interesting)
Nothing
Zip
Nada
Not even a thank you.
911 dispatch wants to know where to physically find me on xmas and new years tho in case communications go out as I am on call for that, without pay.
Of course I would much rather have nothing compared to your gag gift doll. That's just sick.
Am I the only one? (Score:5, Insightful)
Quepee Doll (Score:3, Funny)
What I got (Score:5, Funny)
Funny thing is, is this was just the kick in the ass I needed to get the hell out of the tech field anyhow. Sometimes you just hit your artistic and creative limits, and need to move on.
Potluck lunch and a coat drive (Score:5, Interesting)
Michael's anger.... (Score:3, Insightful)
Just be thankful the guy doesn't end up biling you out of your retirement as well...
-Hack
PS: Take a pay cut and send it too the guy and plead with him NOT too...after all, he probably is working on his third home and that employee 401K/Retirement plan probably looks pretty juicy!
Free pizza (Score:5, Interesting)
Measurement matters as much as the bonus itself (Score:5, Informative)
My point: You can bonus me $1.98 for the year if you feel like it, but nail it to some objective performance measurement.
Memo to management: You want better results? Give people something to aim for and then clearly explain what the reward is for exceeding goals.
(Now, having said all that, I have to add: The bobblehead thing would have had me sending out resumes in a heartbeat. It's one thing for management to lack clues; it's another thing entirely for them to be mean-spirited.
Re:Measurement matters as much as the bonus itself (Score:5, Interesting)
1) They don't have enough understanding of the business market/human resources/financial situation to know if a given set of goals are reasonable.
2) They don't know the work routine of their employees enough to tell when one person has contributed more than another, and
3) They certianly don't know enough about it to codify a reward system months in advance of the actual competion of the work.
This is particularly common in small companies with rapidly shifting company goals and projects.
Just a dinner (Score:3, Interesting)
Especially considering that companies must lower costs. If it was a bigger company then it might be different....oh and I only get christmass day off. I guess thats the down part.
a message to the laid off people (Score:4, Insightful)
what you people are doing here is like saying "sure your wife is ugly but at least you have a wife. be grateful".
and yes, i expect an ipod as a company gift.
Go work for a Swiss bank... (Score:5, Interesting)
One year, right after the merger between UBS and SBC, we had to go to the post office to collect an item from the bank. It turned out to be our employee Christmas card... by registered mail... strange... then I opened it up: 30g of gold was in there! Two little bars from the previous two banks, and a 20g bar from the merged bank.
The London employees were pissed off... they got really tacky watches, blue ones for the men, red ones for the ladies...
Oddly right in the middle of the whole Nazi gold thing too... oh well... the Swiss are good folks but political correctness isn't always high on their list... and shown in both cases...
Re:Go work for a Swiss bank... (Score:3, Informative)
ANY Xmas bonus... (Score:5, Funny)
Voodoo (Score:3, Funny)
I don't know why you're complaining. Get some pins and go to work on the doll.
Hmmmm (Score:4, Informative)
Huzzah we get to work another year!! (Score:4, Interesting)
This year we've told that there is basically no money, but instead of simply adjusting the payout per grading we're told that no one will get a 1, 60% will get a 2 and the remainder, 40% will get a 3 which this year carries no bonus at all. The pool for the 2's will be cut in half. Now if you were counting on a 1 you were probably expecting a 15%-20% payout (20-25% for same grade if you are a manager), which this year will be reduced to a 2 grading which itself will be cut in half to about 5% payout. And the rest of everyone else gets a "YOU SUCK" rating that goes in the HR record. Which is just fucking lovely if you want to transfer internally and your last evaluation was "YOU SUCK".
They could avoid this by giving everyone the same rating they were supposed to get and simply tell everyone that there are basically no bonuses this year except for those with the Godlike powers of the glowing green sun of Krypton. Instead they've turned the workforce into a brutal Darwinian game where everyone trods on the skulls of their fallen enemies.
God I love this business, give me a grail of human blood!!!
Self employed... (Score:5, Funny)
Take the initiative ... (Score:5, Funny)
I got laid off for Christmas (Score:5, Funny)
1999: Bonus was 120% of my annual salary(yes, times were great)
2000: Bonus was 75% of my annual salary(yes, times were still pretty good)
2001: No bonus; I was laid off, but got 6 months severance (Not bad, considering...)
2002: No bonus; I was laid off and got nothing at all. (This is the Grinch Christmas)
I guess 2004 will have to be better than this.
P.S. Need a Net. Admin.? Look at my resume: Resume for Patrick Anderson [the-andersons.com]
"Holiday Bonuses" are deadly (Score:5, Interesting)
In essense, he said, "The worst thing you could ever as a company is to start giving out a Christmas bonus. Once you start giving them out, you can't stop without coming off as a total schmuck."
He added that if a yearly/periodical bonus *must* be given, it should be [phychologically] tied to some other, less-prominent holiday like Thanksgiving (in the US) or some summer holiday, etc.
Once people get used to getting a "gift from Santa" it is very easy to miss it and get all pissed because they are somehow being robbed of something they deserve.
what i got... (Score:4, Funny)
sex from my secretary.... and her BOBBLING head....
Lots of stuff! (Score:5, Insightful)
Besides that, however, I have the satisfaction of working at an incredible company with brilliant people. I'd do it all without any of the stuff I got this year.
Job satisfaction is the best bonus of all. If you get a bobble-head doll, and feel like you need more of a bonus, you don't have the job satisfaction that you deserve. Move on.
Best Company Christmas Bonus to Date (Score:5, Interesting)
I was very sad to go, and I felt more than a little guilty about the fact. Last week, my wife and I received some very persistant invitations to my former employer's Christmas party; my wife went, since I was out of town, and received a prorated Christmas Bonus and a lot of general good will from the owner of the company and the staff.
Usually when an employee leaves a company for a bigger position elsewhere, an undercurrent of nastiness follows: the company and its people resents the loss of the employee. This company, though, insists on keeping a very friendly relationship with me, including repeated open invitations to stop by and mooch coffee.
The bonus was pretty meager, compared to what I remember from the
Last year, this year (Score:5, Interesting)
This year, I'm a lowly contractor and if I'm lucky they'll renew my contract in January.
Last year I was working for the spawn of Satan, and had been actively looking for something, anything to get me out of that hell hole for months.
This year, I'm doing interesting work in a less stressful and less fucked-up environment.
You can keep the $11,000.
I'm not hurt... (Score:5, Funny)
Nothing. But it's OK; I didn't get them anything either.
Chris Mattern
Re:You got a bobble head CEO?!?!? (Score:3, Funny)
IN SOVIET RUSSIA (Score:5, Funny)
At Nortel Networks... (Score:5, Interesting)
I now work at an academic institution where I've been attending various holiday parties every day last week and there are a few next week as well. I'm not sure if there are holiday bonuses or other things to come.
--CTH
Speaking of ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Just out of curiosity... (Score:3)
Welcome to the real world chummo, in this economy you take whatever gifts you can get. I don't expect my bonus this year (or any year), but I'm damned sure to take it when its offered. A company has an obligation to offer incentives for employees (especially hard-working ones), otherwise they run the risk of those same employees heading for the door. I'm sure your "agreement among equals" works in your world but when my "equals" are giving me projects on top of projects to complete with less headcount than last year (which translates to more hours for the same salary), I figure some extra $$$ is the LEAST they can do to say thanks.
Re:LMFAO (Score:4, Insightful)
when I can let my boss go due to "tough" financial times just like I can.
That's called "quitting" and finding another job. If you're unable to find another job, then make yourself more valuable.
when my boss invites me to his Christmas party.
Otherwise known as wanting pathetic gifts of approval. Don't invite him to your Christmas party, then.
when my boss will be reprimanded for missing a day of work.
That's called your boss having enough value to have negotiated the ability to miss days of work. If you can't, then become more valuable or negotiate that as part of your employment agreement.
when I get equal compensation for equal amounts of work and experience.
You are compensates exactly what you are worth. If you disagree, then find someone else who agrees with your self assessment.
when I can be in the same health plan as my boss and the company owner.
Nothing stops you from buying the same health plan as your boss. If you don't like the standard plan, ask if you can kick in money to get yourself to the higher level. If you can't, find another job or, again, make yourself valuable enough to where the company thinks you are worth giving the fancy health plan to.
when bosses and owners think of employment as an agreement among equals.
They think of you exactly the way you let them think of you. Congratulations, you have allowed yourself to be a tool.
agreement among equals when pigs fly or companies are worker owned.
Guess what? ALL COMPANIES ARE WORKER OWNED. The CEO is just as much of a worker as the ditch digger. And even the shareholders are workers. Everyone is a worker.
Re:Even better... (Score:5, Insightful)
My very first boss appreciated me, only paid me $6.00 per hour, but thanked me every day. I appreciated working for him. I think of him as my teacher. He passed away after about two years.
My second boss and third boss did not appreciate me. My fourth "boss" (a medium-large corporation) appreciated me about as much as a corporation could, so they were ok, thinking back on it.
My fifth boss(es) appreciated me, but the company was bought out by people who did not appreciate me. I left there too.
Believe me, it's not worth working for those who don't appreciate you, period. So find someone who does and quit. People are a corporation's number one asset. A company that treats its people poorly is a company that is not making half the money it could. Happy workers attitudes flow through to the customer who are then happy to do business with the company.