Is my company trying to rip me off?

[notveryfairatall]

I received a letter stating that 'with effect from 1st July' I would be entitled to a bonus 'which will be paid in the July payroll'. It then states 'please note that you will not be entitled to the bonus if you resign before then'. I resigned shortly after the 1st of July, but assumed that I would still get the bonus as it was 'effective from the 1st'. Just received my pay minus the bonus and they are saying I am not entitled to it. What do you think?

[Hereward1332]

Sorry, but I think your company is right. You resigned before the July payroll so are not entitled to a bonus. It is a little ambiguous whether the 'then' refers to the July payroll date or 1st July, and so there is clearly no concrete answer.

Is the bonus a fixed amount, or 'discretionary based on your personal performance and that of the Company'. If discretionary, even if they agreed to pay you a bonus, the amount could by insultingly small given that you have resigned.

[Cabrinha]

Standard practice in all companies that I've worked for that if you're not employed on payroll day, you don't get the bonus. So I don't think they're trying to pull a fast one.

[Boosiehs]

Nope. Standard contract language. You only get the bonus if you are employed and not on notice the day the bonus is paid.

[Jedi1]

No, they're right - standard practice.