Christmas Bonus

[mommasita]

Wow, that is amazing. Additional time off is an awesome incentive. In my industry that would be unheard of. At my last company if you have been with the company five years or less you get two weeks vacation, five to 10 years you get three weeks, over 10 years you get four weeks, and after 30 years, you get five weeks. Yes, after 30 YEARS.

It is normally unheard of. We had extra last year, and now it was gifted this year as well. Most of us are doing 18 hour days in the response center. Emergency dispatch is busy at all times, during Covid it’s exceptional like I can’t explain .

When I started, I started with 2 weeks, now they get 3 right off the bat. Our policy is more generous than yours, and we have the option to purchase an extra week.

 

[pinkxray]

I work in a hospital and we don’t have an actual Xmas bonus. We do get an incentive bonus that happens to get paid the first week of Dec. so I always call it an Xmas bonus.
It is based on 4 criteria picked at the beginning of the year. Based on how those criteria are met is how much the bonus is. Max is 3%.
This year was the first time since we have gotten the bonus at the max.

Last year due to COVID we did not met the criteria. It was announced that we would not be a bonus at all. There must have been some serious backlash to that since our hospital had been slammed during beginning of COVID. They changed a few days later to giving 1%.

I always expect nothing so whatever we get is a nice bonus towards Xmas gifts.

 

[tvguy]

It is normally unheard of. We had extra last year, and now it was gifted this year as well. Most of us are doing 18 hour days in the response center. Emergency dispatch is busy at all times, during Covid it’s exceptional like I can’t explain .

When I started, I started with 2 weeks, now they get 3 right off the bat. Our policy is more generous than yours, and we have the option to purchase an extra week.

Well, full disclosure. Last year after the civil unrest our corporation added June Teenth as a holiday. They did that for 2021 also, but so far have not made it a permanent addition that I am aware of. But again, in my job, a holiday was a day off to be taken later as actual holidays are normal work days. Including Christmas. My daughter is at work right now.

 

[sam_gordon]

The most eye opening thing to me in the last few years I worked was how unappreciated the grocery store gift card traditionally given at Christmas. Especially among the under 30s. Apparently some of those folks don't buy groceries, they eat all their meals from restaurants.

I've given out grocery store GC to my department for 4 years now (ever since I became the department head). Everyone seemed to at least appreciate the gesture, although I had an employee tell me earlier this week that he found last year's card in his car the week before.

 

[tvguy]

I've given out grocery store GC to my department for 4 years now (ever since I became the department head). Everyone seemed to at least appreciate the gesture, although I had an employee tell me earlier this week that he found last year's card in his car the week before.

I guess I can relate. In 2020 as companies tried to figure out the financial impact of the pandemic, we first had one week furloughs, and the unemployment benefits ended up being more than most of us would have been making working. Then they discovered how much they were saving by having about 80% of the staff working remotely, and it was a Presidential election year with HUGE ad revenue coming in, and we all got one week's pay aa a pandemic bonus. Then game the GrubHub gift certificates. I gave mine to my daughter because I never have had food delivered, ever, not even pizza. Then the 2020 Christmas party was on Zoom, with everyone getting a $25 Uber Eats gift card to order food to eat during the "party". 40+ years working before retirement, 2020 was the only year I collected unemployment and with the bonuses and food delivery gift cards, which were taxable benefits, I had more taxable income than ever.

 

[tinatark]

We paid Christmas/end of season bonuses to employees who dont qualify for our profit sharing plan. DH also gave his managers (11 of them ) $50 restaurant gift cards. For the employees who were working on Christmas Eve, he handed out cash - $20 - "Must be present to win" for that!

 

[mylilnikita]

Nothing this year. Last year they bought everyone little personal pizzas and gave us our companies logo items.
Our company has changed hands recently, so not sure if that is the norm to expect.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Retired teacher, and never received a Christmas bonus.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I've given out grocery store GC to my department for 4 years now (ever since I became the department head). Everyone seemed to at least appreciate the gesture, although I had an employee tell me earlier this week that he found last year's card in his car the week before.

I, of course, buy groceries, but I would not love a grocery gift card as a gift because I like gifts to be fun things that I might not buy for myself. If someone gave me a $50 grocery card, most likely I would use it for groceries and then would pull $50 out of the ATM for something fun as a way of “cashing out” the gift card.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I have 3 employees. My lead installer has been with me for 14 years. He received a $1000 tax free bonus. My guy that runs the counter received $500 as well as my other installer. I have 3 great guys and have no problem showing them my appreciation. I never expect a gift from them.

 

[sam_gordon]

I, of course, buy groceries, but I would not love a grocery gift card as a gift because I like gifts to be fun things that I might not buy for myself. If someone gave me a $50 grocery card, most likely I would use it for groceries and then would pull $50 out of the ATM for something fun as a way of “cashing out” the gift card.

I'd love to be able to get a personable gift for everyone. But with a department of 20+, that's a little unrealistic. At least for me. Everyone needs groceries.

I don't expect people to "love" the GC, but I would hope the at least appreciate the thought.

 

[marthachick]

Local government employee here. We have gotten small bonus a couple of years in the past. The past couple of years (and this year), nothing. Local governments got some Covid relief money that surrounding LGs paid as front line bonuses ($1000 +) but not us. Our department head gave us $25 Walmart gift cards out of his own pocket.

 

[RedAngie]

The most eye opening thing to me in the last few years I worked was how unappreciated the grocery store gift card traditionally given at Christmas. Especially among the under 30s. Apparently some of those folks don't buy groceries, they eat all their meals from restaurants.

Many supermarkets sell upscale prepared meals for takeout if that’s what they’re looking for.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We get a complimentary meal in the hospital cafeteria if we’re working certain hours, like when it’s open.

 

[tvguy]

Many supermarkets sell upscale prepared meals for takeout if that’s what they’re looking for.

They don't even use their microwave, that would be cooking to them. They eat all meals out.

 

[RangerPooh]

I work in higher education. No bonus for us. I'm fortunate that we do not have to use our earned PTO for winter closure, my last institution made us do this.

Our institution did have a faculty and staff holiday celebration, and they gave out sweatshirts. Better than nothing which is what we received the last few years.

 

[AndreaDM]

No Christmas bonus, but we do get bonuses paid out after the first of the year based on revenue. Mine should be about 6% of my salary. For the second year in a row the big Christmas party with all kinds of big door prizes was cancelled, so we all got gifts instead. Last year was the same for everyone, stuff with our logo. This year we had a portal to “shop” through to choose a gift. I chose the $130 Airbnb gift card, it will definitely be used.

 

[SirDuff]

They don't even use their microwave, that would be cooking to them. They eat all meals out.

You know the weirdest people.

 

[Drewsdad]

Never received a bonus. But had a boss for a while that ‘expected’ nice gifts. We had to provide bottles of champagne to ensure happiness to all.

 

[Walt's Dream]

Another teacher here. We have never received a Christmas bonus, but this year there wasn't a thing. No card from the District, no lunches in the Teacher's Lounge, no gifts or cards from our Admin., and we didn't have our Faculty/Staff Christmas party at a restaurant (we pay) with Yankee Swap exchange. Little Holiday spirit, which was very disappointing. Kind of added to the stress and emotional issues already going on.