Christmas Bonus??!?!?!!

[adamants]

none this year

none this year

when i was working for my first employer I got $50. I was so gutted, $50!
My second employer gave us around $200. heaps better, until they brought a second shop. then they told us they were going to stop all bonuses and just do the christmas party on its own. everyone was gutted. Now, running my own shop, last year I aid $150 to my sparky and $50 to my apprentice. This year we done the xmas party at a resturant instead with no bonus.
No comments about the bonus, but i'm sure they were thinking abut it.
Being on the other side of the business makes you think about so many things that you never knew about before. We were lucky to find enough work this year, the guys have absolutely no clue about how expensive it is to run a shop! they see the jobs getting done, so money must be coming in. and since we're chargng $65 an hour, and paying him $20 an hour, we must be making $45 an hour. I wish! I have to admit that i used to be exactly the same. Unfortunately, the worker mentality says, they are underpaid and they should get a big bonus, because the shop's making lots of money. if only!

 

[ITO]

BTW, I'm with another contractor now who doesn't give a PENNY for a xmas bonus.

You are in for one hell of a lesson...

Sincere praise and appreciation all year go a lot further than a couple of hundred bucks at the end of the year.

Just remember, whatever you do will become an entitlement, will never be enough, and while a few will be truly grateful there will be others who are not.

One year I walked in on some of my guys in a job trailer playing dice with their bonuses.

As a humble suggestion, gift cards are great as well as turkeys or hams. I have also done Carhardt jakcets, and thrown big parties and done a white elephant only I threw in a bunch of expensive tools.

 

[charlietuna]

When i first turned out i worked for a company who started out in electrical underground work and grew fast. I was building a new Sear's store for them! I had only been with them for five months and they had over 100 electricians working for them overall! On a Satruday before Thanksgiving, a special delivery was delivered at my house! Opened it up and it was a great big sterling silver serving tray big enough for a large turkey and a invatation card to the company Christmas party--coat and tie affair for the men and their wives/girlfriends at the most expensive hotel in town-live music -sit down dinner with a $50. gift card under everyone's plate!! Christmas fell on a Thursday that year. Their job superintendent came by the job just before Christmas and asked us to try to work the Friday and Satruday after Christmas if possible because the job was running behind electrically! Everyone agreed and he was happy!! He then told us that we would knock off at 11:00 am Christmas eve and had a Catered party of hot food privided "so don't bring your lunch"! Well, the company driver showed up around 10:00am with a truckload of cold beer, hard liquir and mixes/ice etc... We knocked off and started partying at 11:00 am! The superintendent showed up and made an announcement that we were to be payed for Christmas Day also!! I was amassed!!! As we were partying some of the guys were drinking a little too much and as soon as he made this announcement shouted out "Christmas is a doubletime day!" Now thats gratitude!!! They did pay us doubletime!

 

[G & G Electric]

You are in for one hell of a lesson...

Sincere praise and appreciation all year go a lot further than a couple of hundred bucks at the end of the year.

I'd rather work for an EC who actually DID say "good job" than get a bonus at the end of the year. For instance, the job I'm on was bid at $200,850. I passed my final inspection today, and have about a day or two left on it with the FA guys to help with any problems they may have. Profit on the job is projected at $18,000 (give or take a little). Will I get a pat on the back? No. Will I get anything other than a paycheck and the usual rant about how broke the owner is? No. All the while the owner is rebuilding a houseboat, owns over 1700 acres with a house so big I could get lost in it. He is entitled to that, he is the owner. But my point on this thread is for the EC owners not to forget where that money comes from, and who's blood, sweat, and tears it took to finish the job. All I'm saying is if you've got a moneymaker out in the field, throw that dog a bone (or at least scratch him on his head and say "good boy").

 

[marcerrin]

I give a basket with a turkey, and all the makings of a great dinner, including wine, and dessert for thanksgiving. Then I give $1000 for my journey and $500 for apprentice for xmas.
The last couple months of '08 were tough on my biz, but it was tough on my guys too. They hung in there with me while some weeks were cut to 25-30 hours. I appreciate that.

 

[Minuteman]

BTW, I'm with another contractor now who doesn't give a PENNY for a xmas bonus.

You're with a contractor that doesn't give bonus'. You also contract. So, your night and weekend job is in competition with your day job? BTW, do you give bonus'?

 

[tonyou812]

Another Christmas bonus story:
I was working as a JW on a new Howard Johnson's resturant years ago and the owner came around and wished everyone a Merry Christmas (back then they were allowed to say this:grin and he gave each guy an envelope. The foreman was a very religious guy but into everyone's business!! I was pulling wire as the owner came by and shook his hand and put the envelope in my shirt pocket and went back to work. As soon the boss left, the foreman came back to me and asked "HOW MUCH DID YOU GET?" -- i was still pulling wire and told him i didn't know ! He returned less than five minutes and asked again??? Well, i thought i'd teach him a lesson!!! I carefully opened the envelope and found a nice card with a hundred dollar bill in it, and was greatful! I had four crisp $100. dollar bills in my wallet to buy something for Christmas and i carefully slide them into the card and put the card back into my shirt pocket. Breaktime came and he mentioned in front of the other men "you better open that envelope-there's money in it and your gonna loose it!"! Well, i ignored him and a few minutes later he came over and snatched the envelope from my pocket and opened it--as he pulled the card out to show me the money---the "now" Five crisp one hundred dollar bills fell to the floor!!! His eyes were as big as saucers!!! By noon time i could tell he was shattered ! Before the end of the day i had to tell him the truth because i was afraid he was gonna quit his job !!!

Wow he acually pulled it out of your pocket! How crass. totally low brow. Its none of his buisness

 

[tonyou812]

I'd rather work for an EC who actually DID say "good job" than get a bonus at the end of the year. For instance, the job I'm on was bid at $200,850. I passed my final inspection today, and have about a day or two left on it with the FA guys to help with any problems they may have. Profit on the job is projected at $18,000 (give or take a little). Will I get a pat on the back? No. Will I get anything other than a paycheck and the usual rant about how broke the owner is? No. All the while the owner is rebuilding a houseboat, owns over 1700 acres with a house so big I could get lost in it. He is entitled to that, he is the owner. But my point on this thread is for the EC owners not to forget where that money comes from, and who's blood, sweat, and tears it took to finish the job. All I'm saying is if you've got a moneymaker out in the field, throw that dog a bone (or at least scratch him on his head and say "good boy").

And when something goes wrong or someone gets hurt from a faulty instalation by a worker are you going to share the burden? When the owner has to use a credit card to pay you guys cause there is no cash in the till are you gonna help with that? When one of the workers smashes a truck are you gonna chip in with the bills ? Why do so many workers feel they are entitled to what the boss has built for himself?
Im not saying that I wont share the wealth in any way but when you show this feeling of "its owed to you" just because you are doing you job it really turns my stomach. If you are jealous of your bosses profit then why dont you start your own gig? Do you really think he is going to take that money and put a down payment on a new boat?

I have know so many people like you. You show up for work and you think you deserve some kind of medal. If you dont like to sweat at work then maybe you should have gotten yourself an office job. As a new buisness owner this kind of attitude that workers show really gets me upset. when your done with your shift you go home and do other things. For many of us buisness owners especially the newer ones we have to put in a lot of hours that we really dont get paid for. And after many years of burning the candle at both ends is why your boss deserves every penny of his profit. (which in 95 percent of the time the poor guy just puts back into his buisness).
All you see is the money and not what is behind it. You know There have been few times that I thank my lucky stars that my wife makes a great salary, because she has had to carry me a few times when times were lean. And as a man that really dosent sit well with me. SO when The times come that I happen to make a great profit on a job it makes up for some of the bad times.
Like i said I am an extremely fair person and I would have no propblem paying people a good living wage, but the minute i sense ingraditude or people that feel they deserve more than their share for simply doing their job it will just make me wish I was a one man band again.
Your just reinforce the fact that 90 percent of the workers are egocentric. Me me me and you probably never consider what your boss had to do to get where he is at.

You know sometimes there really is something to be said about immagrant workers. Legal of course. If I was to give one of them a 300 dollar bonus they would be happy to no end. And for most of them they are thankfull to just have a job. I personally would be more inclined to give an appreciative worker a big fat bonus then to one that see's it as an entittlement.

 

[adamants]

I have know so many people like you. You show up for work and you think you deserve some kind of medal. If you dont like to sweat at work then maybe you should have gotten yourself an office job. As a new buisness owner this kind of attitude that workers show really gets me upset. when your done with your shift you go home and do other things. For many of us buisness owners especially the newer ones we have to put in a lot of hours that we really dont get paid for. And after many years of burning the candle at both ends is why your boss deserves every penny of his profit. (which in 95 percent of the time the poor guy just puts back into his buisness).
All you see is the money and not what is behind it. You know There have been few times that I thank my lucky stars that my wife makes a great salary, because she has had to carry me a few times when times were lean. And as a man that really dosent sit well with me. SO when The times come that I happen to make a great profit on a job it makes up for some of the bad times.
Like i said I am an extremely fair person and I would have no propblem paying people a good living wage, but the minute i sense ingraditude or people that feel they deserve more than their share for simply doing their job it will just make me wish I was a one man band again.
Your just reinforce the fact that 90 percent of the workers are egocentric. Me me me and you probably never consider what your boss had to do to get where he is at.

You know sometimes there really is something to be said about immagrant workers. Legal of course. If I was to give one of them a 300 dollar bonus they would be happy to no end. And for most of them they are thankfull to just have a job. I personally would be more inclined to give an appreciative worker a big fat bonus then to one that see's it as an entittlement.[/QUOTE]

i totally agree, i have been in business for almost 2 years, and i sit at home every night trying to figure out how to do things a little better, to try and make some money and keep the business going. what do these guys want, a medal? for doing what they are paid to do?

 

[iwire]

Tony I agree with most all you said but ....

For many of us business owners especially the newer ones we have to put in a lot of hours that we really don't get paid for.

That is a choice you made, you don't get a medal for that either.:smile:

As far as the OP, it called a 'bonus' because it is above and beyond your regular pay. Be happy when you get one, don't cry if you don't get one.

This is the first year in about 15 that I have not received a bonus, I was not upset or surprised. Times are tight, glad to see the company trying to save some dough.

 

[kspifldorf]

My bonus this year was to lay ceramic tile in the quality lab, about 1000 sq ft. Not to mention stripping up the old. I guess they fiqured I was being paid anyways, but dang was that a pain. It was work like that, which made me start reading more.:grin:

 

[jrannis]

I'd rather work for an EC who actually DID say "good job" than get a bonus at the end of the year. For instance, the job I'm on was bid at $200,850. I passed my final inspection today, and have about a day or two left on it with the FA guys to help with any problems they may have. Profit on the job is projected at $18,000 (give or take a little). Will I get a pat on the back? No. Will I get anything other than a paycheck and the usual rant about how broke the owner is? No. All the while the owner is rebuilding a houseboat, owns over 1700 acres with a house so big I could get lost in it. He is entitled to that, he is the owner. But my point on this thread is for the EC owners not to forget where that money comes from, and who's blood, sweat, and tears it took to finish the job. All I'm saying is if you've got a moneymaker out in the field, throw that dog a bone (or at least scratch him on his head and say "good boy").

Thats less than 10% profit. How was it calculated? Sounds like it wasnt that good of a job to me. Maybe if you made him 60 or 70 grand............ that would have been something to talk about

 

[G & G Electric]

And when something goes wrong or someone gets hurt from a faulty instalation by a worker are you going to share the burden? When the owner has to use a credit card to pay you guys cause there is no cash in the till are you gonna help with that? When one of the workers smashes a truck are you gonna chip in with the bills ? Why do so many workers feel they are entitled to what the boss has built for himself?
Im not saying that I wont share the wealth in any way but when you show this feeling of "its owed to you" just because you are doing you job it really turns my stomach. If you are jealous of your bosses profit then why dont you start your own gig? Do you really think he is going to take that money and put a down payment on a new boat?

I have know so many people like you. You show up for work and you think you deserve some kind of medal. If you dont like to sweat at work then maybe you should have gotten yourself an office job. As a new buisness owner this kind of attitude that workers show really gets me upset. when your done with your shift you go home and do other things. For many of us buisness owners especially the newer ones we have to put in a lot of hours that we really dont get paid for. And after many years of burning the candle at both ends is why your boss deserves every penny of his profit. (which in 95 percent of the time the poor guy just puts back into his buisness).
All you see is the money and not what is behind it. You know There have been few times that I thank my lucky stars that my wife makes a great salary, because she has had to carry me a few times when times were lean. And as a man that really dosent sit well with me. SO when The times come that I happen to make a great profit on a job it makes up for some of the bad times.
Like i said I am an extremely fair person and I would have no propblem paying people a good living wage, but the minute i sense ingraditude or people that feel they deserve more than their share for simply doing their job it will just make me wish I was a one man band again.
Your just reinforce the fact that 90 percent of the workers are egocentric. Me me me and you probably never consider what your boss had to do to get where he is at.

You know sometimes there really is something to be said about immagrant workers. Legal of course. If I was to give one of them a 300 dollar bonus they would be happy to no end. And for most of them they are thankfull to just have a job. I personally would be more inclined to give an appreciative worker a big fat bonus then to one that see's it as an entittlement.

Well, you don't know me at all. I don't have the "entitlement" mentality. But when an EC doesn't pay for health insurance, holidays, vacations, or ANY type of fringe, to me it seems that I may be expendable. If you've got a group of guys that bend over backward for you, you don't take and bend them over forwards. NOT SAYING I EXPECT BONUSES. But something, anything, as I have said - even a "good job" would be great. I get the sense that you must be the owner of an EC shop. Seems that once the worker becomes the owner, he forgets how hard it was to eek out a living.

 

[G & G Electric]

Thats less than 10% profit. How was it calculated? Sounds like it wasnt that good of a job to me. Maybe if you made him 60 or 70 grand............ that would have been something to talk about

Not sure how it was calculated, I just get the paperwork with what the job was bid at, and where I am on labor and materials. I'm way under on labor by several hundred hours, material is what it is. Maybe they need a better estimator? All I know is I get a paycheck and a job to go to.

 

[iwire]

But when an EC doesn't pay for health insurance, holidays, vacations, or ANY type of fringe, to me it seems that I may be expendable.

You are expendable.

We all are, the trade was here before us and will continue when we are gone.

Seems that once the worker becomes the owner, he forgets how hard it was to eek out a living.

It is really not the owners job to make your life comfortable.

Your life is under your control, you do not have to work for this person. I would be looking for a new job that had at least some of those benefits you seem to be missing.

 

[bjp_ne_elec]

That's a lot of Turkeys. He could have had a bowling Turkey contest for the employees. Then who ever won would get a $300.00 bonous.

When there's people going hungry out there - don't think so. I donate my turkey back to the rescue mission.

 

[ITO]

Well, you don't know me at all. I don't have the "entitlement" mentality. But when an EC doesn't pay for health insurance, holidays, vacations, or ANY type of fringe, to me it seems that I may be expendable. If you've got a group of guys that bend over backward for you, you don't take and bend them over forwards. NOT SAYING I EXPECT BONUSES. But something, anything, as I have said - even a "good job" would be great. I get the sense that you must be the owner of an EC shop. Seems that once the worker becomes the owner, he forgets how hard it was to eek out a living.

LOL.... This is something you cant be told. It will be interesting watching what you post later after you have tried working on the other side of the fence for a while.

 

[G & G Electric]

LOL.... This is something you cant be told. It will be interesting watching what you post later after you have tried working on the other side of the fence for a while.

I am looking forward to that. I know that all that glitters is not gold. My point was and still remains that a little appreciation goes a long way. I never once said the bonus should be money, or tools, or whatever. Or even a bonus at all. I'm saying that a "good job" or something with a hint of appreciation would be nice. I could (and will) say that if all were fair (it's not, will never be) the owner would come to us (I never said me me me; I'm all about the team) and say thanks for the new Denali I paid cash for, thanks for the 55" plasmas I have in every room, thanks for my 6300 square foot house, etc, etc. Like it or not, the workers in the field get it done so the owner can pay us, his bills, his toys, and everything else he says he has no money for. Let's not forget the 85' house boat. All that is fine, as I have said before. He is the owner, and he (not me) is entitled to it all. All I would like is a little appreciation. As far as me not taking my work home, you are incorrect. I study my drawings, do take offs on the prints, schedule with other contractors and trades-I do a lot. Am I asked to do it? No. Do I do it without complaining? Yes. Have I ever in my 14 years in the trade ever asked for a raise? No. I feel as though merit should be enough. As long as I've been in the trade, the smart owners are successful, and take care of their men. The others, well, they sound a lot like you. Quality help is getting harder and harder to come by, and this trend will only continue. If you think it's hard paying a-holes like me now, wait a few years when quality help is scarce and wages are through the roof. FYI - I'm sure you know that a man will take a little less pay per hour for a little more by way of benefits. At the shop I work for, benefits are part of the total package numbers they use to bid, but we get zero benefits. My point remains - I will work twice as hard for a pat on the back than a cold shoulder any day, and I'm confident there are thousands of others who think like I do. By the way, when or if the ball gets rolling for me, I plan to treat my moneymakers like gold. Maybe a pipe dream, but at least my intentions are good (and those intentions won't pave the way to hell).

 

[G & G Electric]

You are expendable.

We all are, the trade was here before us and will continue when we are gone.



It is really not the owners job to make your life comfortable.

Your life is under your control, you do not have to work for this person. I would be looking for a new job that had at least some of those benefits you seem to be missing.

iwire, are absolutely correct on all points. I'm sure that life on the other side of the fence is hard at times, and great at times. That is why I want to get my own thing going. If the pay was the same for the owner as the employee, why even open a shop at all? I have a lot to learn, but also I've got a little to teach. Take care of your workers and they'll take care of you. At least it sounds good in theory.

 

[ptonsparky]

I happen to have made less than one of my guys for the last two years but what the heck, I'm the boss and there are other advantages...someplace.