Christmas bonuses?

[Justanopinion]

I've seen a couple of different threads about how is the economy affecting corporate spending? How is the economy affecting company Christmas parties? That sort of thing.

I want to know how is your Christmas bonus being affected? How do most companies figure bonuses? Is it percentage?

I am a SAHM so I don't get one, but DH works for his dad. In 10 years, it's been different every year. One year we got a truck, it was used but only 3 years old with low mileage. Other years very little. This year FIL wasn't going to give anything We would not have been able to do Christmas without something.

DH finally talked his dad into giving a bonus. With 2 of 7 kids working for him plus one DIL, we felt we deserved something. It was almost like he felt just giving them a job was enough, but he wouldn't have the business without these guys.

So what do most companies do?

 

[nikkistevej]

I work for a bank- we get nothing- not even a holiday party. My department has one- we just bring everything. Matter of fact, it's today. Dh works for UPS(computer tech) they get a turkey.

 

[mamamary]

DH is getting a bonus - it's based on how well the company did. Company did fairly well but...DH will be laid off end of Jan. Company is having - actually had a big party last weekend- we skipped it since.. well.. since he's being laid off I kinda thought it was a little rude. Not taking it away from those not being laid off but I didn't feel like going and celebrating. Company is also having a big luncheon party this week. DH will go to that.

 

[Angelhalo]

My dad got one for the first time in like 15 years and it was BIG, my mom and brother work at the same place and both got the same bonus they got last year. DH just started his job a week ago and wasn't elligible yet. I am between jobs, but overall, the bunus situation has been great! DH DI have a huge fancy Christmas party Saturday night at a swanky steakhouse which we went too. it was lovely.

 

[mjantz]

DH does not get a bonus. They do a nice holiday party with small door prizes but that's it. My job does a small party as well but this year we're really scaling back. And no bonus either although I'm a teacher so I do get teacher gifts from my students.

DH finally talked his dad into giving a bonus. With 2 of 7 kids working for him plus one DIL, we felt we deserved something. It was almost like he felt just giving them a job was enough, but he wouldn't have the business without these guys.

You're never entitled to a bonus. That's why its a bonus. Its extra. Maybe for next year you should look into restructuring your budget so if you don't get a bonus, it will still be OK.
Also, in this economy, having a job is enough.

 

[Quiksilvr]

I don't get a "Christmas bonus". None of the lawyers at my firm do. We're eligible for a performance-based bonus based on our billables for the year, but it's not connected to any particular holiday. I think the staff might get some sort of holiday bonus, but I don't really have any clue how they do things on that side of the house.

My wife got a Christmas bonus, which was unexpected. It wasn't humongous, but it was still appreciated (about the equivalent of three-four days' work), and they actually grossed it up for taxes so that she got the entire amount. Pretty nice.

Re holiday parties... my firm has a huge one at one of the five-star downtown hotels. Everything is top shelf and the party lasts for like six hours. It's pretty ridiculous.

 

[tiggger1]

My husband got his bonus today. It was the same as last years.. We didnt think it was going to be even half of last years because they laid off over 100 people...

btw his bonus was 31 % of his salary!

 

[mickeysgal]

No Christmas bonus this year for DH's job. Usually they give everyone a gift card. This year we are thanking our lucky stars that he still has a job.

Me? I usually get a small gift from my boss.

 

[nikkistevej]

DH is getting a bonus - it's based on how well the company did. Company did fairly well but...DH will be laid off end of Jan. Company is having - actually had a big party last weekend- we skipped it since.. well.. since he's being laid off I kinda thought it was a little rude. Not taking it away from those not being laid off but I didn't feel like going and celebrating. Company is also having a big luncheon party this week. DH will go to that.

I hope your DH finds a job swiftly after his layoff.

 

[SeeDisney]

My DH's company never gives out bonuses. Though he's paid well.

When I used to work for a Foundation, I too never got bonuses.

I do remember working for a law firm and receiving one week's pay for our bonus.

 

[Justanopinion]

DH does not get a bonus. They do a nice holiday party with small door prizes but that's it. My job does a small party as well but this year we're really scaling back. And no bonus either although I'm a teacher so I do get teacher gifts from my students.



You're never entitled to a bonus. That's why its a bonus. Its extra. Maybe for next year you should look into restructuring your budget so if you don't get a bonus, it will still be OK.
Also, in this economy, having a job is enough.

Well, there's a little more to it. DH deserves it for a reason. Like I said 7 kids and numerous grandkids.

Kid 1 - been in and out of jail all year
Kid 2 - just got $1600 by going and charging stuff on a company acct. without getting permission.
Kid 3 - her $300 car payment is made monthly
Kid 4 - works for FIL as does his wife
Kid 5 - my DH, works for FIL
Kid 6 - gets a bill paid for about every other month
Kid 7 - does quite well and doesn't ask for anything either

Kids 4 & 5 both work for FIL, if we were to ever borrow money it would come right back out of paycheck whereas others don't

I know of at least 5 grandkids that can go in and say I need this and get $100 here a bill paid or whatever.

We just felt like we were the ones being left out. Most everyone is getting something here or there and a Christmas bonus would be nice. KWIM?

 

[Green Tea]

My DH's employer has never given bonuses. It isn't heard of in his industry.

 

[tinkntraining]

I work for an attorney -- every year, he gives us something, out of his pocket. He's a wonderful man and I can't begin to brag about how lucky I am to work for him. This year, he came into a pretty nice settlement in November, and decided to share it all with all of us. So, we all received the biggest bonus we've ever gotten! I spent half of it on Christmas, and put the other half in savings, to add to our "rainy day" fund.

DH works for a manufacturing factory. He gets $5 for each year he's worked there. So -- this year, his bonus will be $55 minus taxes. But, the real bonus is that he still has a job, and we still have health insurance.

I'm very thankful.

 

[Green Tea]

Well, there's a little more to it. DH deserves it for a reason. Like I said 7 kids and numerous grandkids.

Kid 1 - been in and out of jail all year
Kid 2 - just got $1600 by going and charging stuff on a company acct. without getting permission.
Kid 3 - her $300 car payment is made monthly
Kid 4 - works for FIL as does his wife
Kid 5 - my DH, works for FIL
Kid 6 - gets a bill paid for about every other month
Kid 7 - does quite well and doesn't ask for anything either

Kids 4 & 5 both work for FIL, if we were to ever borrow money it would come right back out of paycheck whereas others don't

I know of at least 5 grandkids that can go in and say I need this and get $100 here a bill paid or whatever.

We just felt like we were the ones being left out. Most everyone is getting something here or there and a Christmas bonus would be nice. KWIM?

I am not sure just because the other kids are bad eggs that it makes a bonus deserved. I kind of feel like everyone ought to go to work, do their thing and not worry about what anyone else does or gets. My SIL lives at home with MIL. Free room and board for her and her children. Gets taken on vacation, all bills paid. Am I jealous? Not a chance. Do I think my dh and I deserve more at Christmas? Again, no way. We made our own way. SIL's inability to succeed on her own doesn't impact our ability to do so.

 

[1 goofy family]

DH and I have a small business. For the past 5 years we have been able to give very good bonuses to all employees. This year no one is getting anything. In this down economy when so many in our industry are laying off I think most of our employees are just glad to have steady work.

 

[Chicago526]

My company cut back on the holiday party but not the bonuses. It was about the same as last year, roughly 6.5%. There is some sort of formula they use when we meet certain financial benchmarks in years we come in under budget, the more benchmarks we hit, the more of a percentage of the underage we get, up to a maximum percentage. Last year we maxed out, this year we either maxed out again or were very close. I was shocked, I figured it would be much lower than usuall, and was very grateful for it, and let my boss's and their boss's know how much it was appreciated!

But as I said, they did cut back on the holiday party. We usually have a luncheon at a nice nearby hotel, this year we had an appitizer buffet set up in the main hall of our building. Still had the prize raffle though.

DH's company doesn't give holiday bonuses, but management gets quarterly bonuses based on company performance. He didn't get one for the 3rd quarter, and since the company filed Chapter 11 last week, I don't expect one for the 4th quarter, either! They also never have a holiday party.

But we never budget our spending based on bonuses, mine or DH's, we always assume we won't get one. No putting down the deposit on the pool and hoping the bonus arrives before the check bounces, then getting a coupon for the Jelly of the Month club for us!

 

[Disneygirl26]

I work for a non profit so we never get cash we usually recieve gifts like last year we got jackets with the company logo this year we got an umbrella and movie tickets, the company does throw a huge fancy holiday party which is really nice. My husband just got a very nice bonus which we're going to put into our savings for a rainy day.

 

[JCJRSmith]

My company has a performance bonus program, paid in the Spring. Different pay levels get different percentages. My percentage is 15%. Half of that is based on me meeting all my Performance Goals, the other half is for the company meeting certain financial goals. However, there is talk that, due to the crappy economy we will not get bonuses next March.

 

[Pakey]

Hour employees get bonuses in December based on time of service with the company. They cannot be based on performance or hourly wage or anything else without changing their base wage and recalculating their OT wages for the year. So a person employed here one year gets XX amount regardless of whether he makes $10/hr or $30/hr.

Those of us in upper management get our bonuses in January and they are based on a combination of profit and each individual's employment agreement.

 

[DebD4T]

No bonus for me - I work for a non-profit organization. I had to push for a COLA this past year. (the first one in 2 years)

DH is a union worker, so it depends on the shop he is employed with. The one he is with now has given something for the past 2 years, but who knows?? I will be happy if he can just keep working through the winter.