Christmas Bonus

[Spiffster]

What's a "bonus"? Also, whats a "pension"?

[james.hendrickson]

Yes, what is this "bonus" of which you speak?

[kork13]

Judging from responses so far, it seems that most "Christmas bonuses" are actually rather trite... <$100 bonus at the end of a year's work? I've also heard of these being in the form of turkeys or hams, or office parties, or whatever else... I dunno, I think all of that would almost feel like a slap in the face IMO. My efforts are only worth recognizing with a pittance of a "bonus" worth $20-$100? Why bother?

I don't get one (federal employee), and maybe I just don't understand the idea.

[StormRichards]

Judging from responses so far, it seems that most "Christmas bonuses" are actually rather trite... <$100 bonus at the end of a year's work? I've also heard of these being in the form of turkeys or hams, or office parties, or whatever else... I dunno, I think all of that would almost feel like a slap in the face IMO. My efforts are only worth recognizing with a pittance of a "bonus" worth $20-$100? Why bother?

I don't get one (federal employee), and maybe I just don't understand the idea.

It does feel that way and most of my coworkers agree.

Pretty good chance we will also get some type of item with the company logo on it. I have a closet full of company logo crap that I don't want or need.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nothing. Holiday party? Does that count? My DH has always gotten an "annual" bonus review in March after January reviews. This is continuing now so I guess they feel the holiday party is good enough. Oh and I bet a holiday lunch out.

[phantom]

Judging from responses so far, it seems that most "Christmas bonuses" are actually rather trite... <$100 bonus at the end of a year's work? I've also heard of these being in the form of turkeys or hams, or office parties, or whatever else... I dunno, I think all of that would almost feel like a slap in the face IMO. My efforts are only worth recognizing with a pittance of a "bonus" worth $20-$100? Why bother?

I'm actually surprised to see such low numbers. At every place I've worked where I've received a bonus, the bonus has been much more substantial.

I made $26k/year in my first real job and got paid every other week, so my paychecks were $1000 before taxes. My bonus my first year was $1000, which came out to a slightly better than normal extra paycheck. (It was better than normal because no health insurance was taken out.)

Then there was the place where we got profit sharing instead of bonuses. There was a lot more variance there, but my profit sharing checks were usually 1-5% of my regular salary. One year we did not actually make a profit, so the owner took out personal loans so he could still give us "profit sharing" checks similar to what we'd gotten the previous year. I hadn't expected anything that year, but I was really appreciative of his generosity. On top of the profit sharing, we had nice parties with a Chinese auction and fancy prizes. I believe the prizes were purchased with business credit card reward points. One year I won a PS3 and another my husband won a fancy bottle of Scotch.

[feh]

Judging from responses so far, it seems that most "Christmas bonuses" are actually rather trite... <$100 bonus at the end of a year's work? I've also heard of these being in the form of turkeys or hams, or office parties, or whatever else... I dunno, I think all of that would almost feel like a slap in the face IMO. My efforts are only worth recognizing with a pittance of a "bonus" worth $20-$100? Why bother?

I don't get one (federal employee), and maybe I just don't understand the idea.

I'm also surprised at the responses so far. I thought there would be folks equaling, if not surpassing, the ~15% I receive.

We also have a holiday party and receive some kind of gift (usually some kind of garment w/ the company logo).

[Mjenn]

No bonus, but the Christmas party is held during the day, so in a way we get a half day to socialize and have a fancy lunch, which is nice. Also just got a note that I have a ton of vacation days that I cannot bank and will get those paid out in cash a the end of the month, so that will feel like a bonus -- I'm new on the job, so didn't think I'd have that much saved already, but there you go. I took my vacation from my last job in a long chunk of 4 weeks this summer, so don't feel like I have sacrificed any vacation.

[Fishindude77]

My company gave all the hourly folks $2,000. When we have a good year we share with those that helped make it a good year.

[StormRichards]

My company is splurging this year. Our Christmas party/bonus is a 3 day affair this year. Today was donuts. Tomorrow will be bagels, and then the lunch on Friday.

My lunch with 20% tip factored in will come to $16.08. The bagel & donut shouldn't be $.75 each at the most, bringing my total bonus to $17.58!

Important Update: Just got back from our Christmas lunch. There were also appetizers including meatballs, pepperoni & cheese tray and a veggie tray. Later this afternoon we will slice up a sheet cake from the local bakery. Good eats but no $$$$$

[Jluke]

I get my "Christmas" bonus during the 1st Quarter of the year (i.e. performance bonus).

Cash payments for bonus might be low b/c of payroll taxes. I believe that $50 cash can be given without tax implications (probably varies or changed, but that's what I vaguely remember).

[StormRichards]

I get my "Christmas" bonus during the 1st Quarter of the year (i.e. performance bonus).

Cash payments for bonus might be low b/c of payroll taxes. I believe that $50 cash can be given without tax implications (probably varies or changed, but that's what I vaguely remember).

I have to assume that has changed. We use to have a rewards program where recipients would receive $25. Several years ago they started UPing the reward on the pay statement to account for the taxes that they covered. So the net in a person's check was the full $25.

[Mjenn]

I get my "Christmas" bonus during the 1st Quarter of the year (i.e. performance bonus).

Cash payments for bonus might be low b/c of payroll taxes. I believe that $50 cash can be given without tax implications (probably varies or changed, but that's what I vaguely remember).

Not in the US but this is very much why our gifts are limited -- due to tax regulations it is easier to give a small gift that is not taxable and give us an 'afternoon off' than give us a large lump sum.

[Outdoorsygal]

It does feel that way and most of my coworkers agree.

Pretty good chance we will also get some type of item with the company logo on it. I have a closet full of company logo crap that I don't want or need.

Yep. At the last staff appreciation day, which we are required to attend, I was put on the spot to open my present. Pulled out a water bottle with the company logo on it. So I assumed there must be money inside so opened it and tried to dump it out. Only a piece of paper fell out I smiled anyhow

[GoodSteward]

We get a free meal at work and usually like 25$. The official bonus is in March.

Since we were bought out, I'm not sure what will happen this coming year.