Not one of my normal questions

[joeyww12000]

I usually am asking technical questions on here, but I read some posts on Christmas bonuses and thought what the hey. My company gives out bonuses every year. This year made my second Christmas working at this company, but the bonus I got last year was more than this year. Ive been with the company for 19 months now and never missed a day or been late. I could understand last years amount, because I had only been there around 6 months, but this year some new employees got double what I received. To say the least I it has affected my enthusiasm at work and Im ready to get another job, since Ive worked my ass off this past year to learn and get better at my job, accepting more responsibility, chaulking it up to gaining experience. I dont know if it was a screw up in the system or what, I asked the our field superintendent about it and he said he would check on it, but he's to afraid of the boss, and its been how many weeks since Christmas now? I havent gotten an answer. Just venting here.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Joey, I would talk to the boss directly and see what gives.

 

[joeyww12000]

Yeah, its one of those situations where the economy and ability to get another job is keeping me at bay. The boss has a really bad temper and would probably see any questioning about a bonus as "ungrateful", Its not legal to get fired for asking questions, but we have had some major layoffs and more to come. You get my drift?

 

[iwire]

Joe, I am going to be direct here.

If all you have said is true it sounds to me like it is time for you to move on and find another job.

 

[charlietuna]

Sounds about right---if the newcomers "ACTUALLY" recieved more money than you and you all have equal responsibilities--your gonna be on the layoff list before them-----for some reason???? That, like the bonus amount, is strickly your boss's opinion ! Again, I have never expected one cent from anyone i ever worked for- but was always greatful for what i recieved ! And i have seen many stupid decisions made by people, both in the field and in management, over Christmas bonus issues. Now is not the time to quit a job!

 

[SEO]

Keep your eyes open and be a good employee. Sometimes mistakes are made and are corrected. You will be able to read whats happening around you and be able to make a sound decision whether to stay or leave.

 

[growler]

The boss has a really bad temper and would probably see any questioning about a bonus as "ungrateful".

Maybe the boss thinks that the new guys need money more than those that have been around longer ( lots of new guys get hired in kind of cheap). It's really his decision as to who gets what for whatever reason.

Did you get any raises in the last 19 months? Other than this bonus thing are you satisfied with your job and the pay received?

 

[Fulthrotl]

I dont know if it was a screw up in the system or what, I asked the our field superintendent about it and he said he would check on it, but he's to afraid of the boss, and its been how many weeks since Christmas now? I havent gotten an answer. Just venting here.

have you ever considered that a "bonus" may be dependent on how well
the firm does that year?

a lot of enterprise failures are happening right now. that also leads to a
cranky owner. even if his company is not at risk, people who owe HIM
money may not be paying him, as they are failing.

in december, i was working on a building built by a general contractor,
for his corporate office. he had sold it at a substantial loss, and moved
to a small industrial unit, leaving no forwarding address.... all of the
lighting was by bruck, and the rest of the build out was commensurate
quality. i'm guessing he left two million on the table. award winning socal
general contractor.

there was a steady stream of process servers showing up at the front
door.... from his subs and suppliers, i suspect.

even if your boss isn't having a bad year, people he does business with are.

smile, go back to work, cash your checks, and be thankful your boss is in
buisness at the moment.

having a pissy boss right now is better than having no boss.

 

[480sparky]

Joe, I am going to be direct here.

If all you have said is true it sounds to me like it is time for you to move on and find another job.

Quit a paying job because of the Christmas bonus? Why?

He never said he's dissatisfied with his job, or the regular pay, or been otherwise treated poorly. Maybe the 'new guys' had more experience than the OP does when they came in, and that's why their bonuses were larger. Yes, seniority should count for something, but so does decades of experience. There's no guarantee that another job elsewhere is going to have better bonuses, if they have them at all.

Would you trade in an otherwise perfect vehicle just because a headlight burns out?

 

[iwire]

Quit a paying job because of the Christmas bonus? Why?

No, not at all and not what I said.

IMO if all Joey told us is true it is my opinion they do not care about him and he is in line for a layoff.

Is that a fact? Heck no, it is just how I would personally read the writing on the wall.

If others with less time in are being better taken care of that to me is a strong signal that his value to the boss is limited.

Take it for what it's worth, just one guys opinion.

 

[iwire]

Would you trade in an otherwise perfect vehicle just because a headlight burns out?

No, but I have walked away from jobs that did provide a weekly pay check because that is not the only thing that matters.

 

[LJSMITH1]

Consider yourself extremely lucky to receive a holiday bonus at all. I have not received one since 1996...because the companies that I worked for have abandoned the perk. Now that I don't get one, I don't plan or hope for one at the end of every year. On the other hand, I have received a typical, great employee performance raise of 2-3%..which is fairly typical in the "white collar" industry lately. We'll see in 2009....

My current job provides a performance-based bonus as part of my overall compensation. How much it would be is based on the performance of the company and my own performance.

I, for one, am thankful to have a good paying job that I enjoy.

 

[growler]

IMO if all Joey told us is true it is my opinion they do not care about him and he is in line for a layoff.

If he does get layed off then he can at least get unemployment benefits for 6 months but if he quits and doesn't find another job ( very possible) then he gets nothing.

In 1987 I was layed off just because I was above a certain pay scale. The company decided to keep a couple foreman and anyone making below a certain level of pay. They lost their good contracts and were going broke. It's wasn't that they didn't like me or my work but that was a business decision. 50 out of around 75 workers went to the unemployment line. I found another job before the end of the day because I didn't bother going to the unemployment office , I knew it would be crowded.

 

[iwire]

If he does get layed off then he can at least get unemployment benefits for 6 months but if he quits and doesn't find another job ( very possible) then he gets nothing.

You want to show me where I said quit? :smile:

 

[gardiner]

In some ways your lucky if you see any Christmas bonus up here the government placed a tax on bonus or gifts received over $25 in value that it became more of a hassel in some cases to get one then to not get it.
The last thing you need is to get something to throw you into a higher bracket with no ability to write any of it off.

 

[growler]

You want to show me where I said quit? :smile:

Sorry Bob you didn't use the word "quit", that was in another reply. By the way no one quits in Gerogia anyway they "drag up". Normally it's in the past tense as "drug up".

 

[wawireguy]

First off.. Did you see the pay stub? Your co-workers shouldn't be trusted to tell the truth. From now on never tell them what you make. If they want to tell you fine. You got a bonus, supposedly it's less than some other new guy, but you still got one. Here's the deal, you've weathered some lay offs, you're still there and you got a bonus. That's not bad at all.

Since it does seem like you want to know more I'd ask one of the gals running the office, something like, did we all get the same bonus because I heard some people got different ones and was curious. I think you're reading way to much into this bonus thing.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

There are so many variables that we can only guess at here, that the best advice is just what has been said...sit down and speak with the boss. That is if you are really interested to do so.

 

[elohr46]

I usually am asking technical questions on here, but I read some posts on Christmas bonuses and thought what the hey. My company gives out bonuses every year. This year made my second Christmas working at this company, but the bonus I got last year was more than this year. Ive been with the company for 19 months now and never missed a day or been late. I could understand last years amount, because I had only been there around 6 months, but this year some new employees got double what I received. To say the least I it has affected my enthusiasm at work and Im ready to get another job, since Ive worked my ass off this past year to learn and get better at my job, accepting more responsibility, chaulking it up to gaining experience. I dont know if it was a screw up in the system or what, I asked the our field superintendent about it and he said he would check on it, but he's to afraid of the boss, and its been how many weeks since Christmas now? I havent gotten an answer. Just venting here.

I personally wouldn't say anything. You got a bonus and have a job so be happy about that. I would not listen to what others tell you about what they received in bonus money, unless you saw it, they could be kicking your mule. If they are stirring the pot and you approach your boss you will look like a fool. Worse yet, if your boss has a short fuse like you say he may get rid of you. If it is true that you got shortchanged in bonus money, don't say anything about it just look for another job and give your two weeks notice when you find one. Remember one thing in the electrical business, your boss may land a big project 5 years from now and you may be out of work 5 years from now, if you leave on good terms he may want you back. Networking is better than burning bridges. IMO