AIBU to expect employee to say thank you for Christmas Bonus?

[Booper42]

I am self employed and at Christmas gave all my employees a generous Christmas Bonus - out of the 7 employees only 3 thanked me for their Bonus. I have waited for the others to at least say thankyou or acknowledge that they have recieved the money (sent via online banking). One of the employees has now asked for more money - if she didn't appreciate the £500 I gave her, why should I give her anymore especially when she doesn't appear to be putting in a great deal of effort into her work at the moment!

Is it me, or is this how employees are these days?

[sirfredfredgeorge]

They're employees, you pay them for their work. They are not gifts.

Bonuses are a way you can reduce your risk, and still retain staff, it's not some nice thing you do.

[Lostpangolin]

I used to write a thank you note to my employer. The bonus was over and above my salary, and not part of my contracted recompense. It didn't hurt me to say thank you, and the gesture was appreciated.

[booellesmum]

I work in the NHS so no bonuses :(
I guess it depends on if it is a usual thing that they were expecting. I can see if they get a bonus every year then they may view it as part of their normal pay - especially if you haven't told them you are giving them an unexpected bonus.
If it is a one off and not expected then they should definitely say thank you.

[ememem84]

I always say thank you.

Last year I was shocked to receive what I did as a bonus (in a good way).

[Iambubbles86]

I disagree, bonuses shouldn't be an incentive to retain staff, I'm grateful for any bonus as I appreciate its surplus to what I'm actually contracted to get paid and its not obligatory but is a recognition of the effort I have put in.

That said I've never said thsnkyou as such although when my boss told me (she decides my grading which then denotes what % bonus I would get) I said a big thank you, but I've never said thanks to the "big bosses" (I work for a huge company)

[Iambubbles86]

Oh things have moved on I was disagreeing with sirgeorges view

[thecolonelbumminganugget]

Isn't the point of a bonus that you're thanking them for doing a good job and making you more money than you thought you would? I've always worked for big companies and my bonus is performance related, I wouldn't thank our CEO. Why reward someone who's not pulling their weight? It's bit weird to expect someone thank you imo.

[scottishdiem]

Op, some are entitled like sirfredfredgeorge but others tend to be grateful to the people who have decided on their bonus level.

I once got a bonus I was not expecting and I was very grateful for that (didnt think I'd been there long enough). It was my first ever bonus from an employer.

I would never ask for more unless there was a very good reason for it. Much earlier in my working life I didnt get a bonus and I did ask why. My work standard on a new set of programmes was not high enough at the time when the bonuses were decided but by the time they were paid I was the best in the department so was a bit put out and that was the explanation given. Still didnt get a bonus though. I would be speaking to that employee about their sub-par performance regardless of the bonus situation.

[scottishdiem]

I think also it depends on the bonus culture. The place I got a bonus there wasnt one. The place I didnt, there was. But in a small set-up like OPs I would say thanks. Every time.

[TheCustomaryMethod]

Did any of those who didn't thank you previously work for much larger companies - where bonuses are awarded by remote 'head office' people and immediate managers have nothing to do with it?

If so, it might be that they're just not be used to the idea of saying thanks for a bonus.

[harderandharder2breathe]

I get a bonus annually. I say thank you when my manager hands me the letter telling me how much I'm getting but that's it. But then this is a big company and bonus is expected (unless you're shit)

When I worked in a small shop the owners gave us all something like £20 at Christmas. I thanked the shop manager who passed it on to me but didn't contact the owners directly.

I know neither example fits your situation. I think telling them they're getting it is when they should thank you. And the woman who asked for more is a cheeky cow! Assuming it's not performance based then she should say thank you and accept whatever it is. If it is performance based then she should be able to challenge it but more like " I feel I deserve x amount because I do x y z over and above my official role" not just give me more money.

[Pallisers]

I always said thank you to my boss - I worked in a firm with more than 4000 employees. When we got our bonuses, there was a letter signed by the CEO and COO so I would either go to their offices and thank them personally (when I knew both of them through working directly with them) or write them a note.I also thanked them when I was promoted.

Most people didn't thank them for bonuses or for promotions. If I were working for a large company, I would be more likely to email the people in head office - any opportunity for them to see my name in a positive context :)

[Trifleorbust]

You seem to be taking it a little personally. Did they not deserve them?

[Booper42]

sirfredfredgeorge

It is surely good manners to thank someone for money you were not expecting isn't it? I feel less inclined to give anymore bonuses out to those who did not at least appreciate or acknowledge that they had received extra next year - I could just boost my profits instead.

I have worked for large companies and I have always thanked my line manager for any bonuses - its good manners!

[Booper42]

Trifle or Bust - yes they deserved them, maybe I deserve a thank you in return - not much to ask is it?

[rollonthesummer]

I'm a bit at your employed asking for a bigger bonus! How did they ask??!

[Riversiderunner]

I agree with sirfredfred

And my bonus was a lot bigger than £500!

[PrettyBotanicals]

YANBU at all.

My company is very small and we try and give as generous a bonus as we can along with a handwritten card highlighting why they deserve a bonus and a present.

In 20 years only one employee has not said thank you.

I thought it was very rude indeed.

[fiorentina]

Do they always get a bonus, do they know why they got one? Is it as a Christmas treat or because their hard work contributed to the profits? Having managed people some expect to receive one and conversely just get really grumpy when they don't. Manners cost nothing, I always thank my manager, as someone else said, it's all good internal PR for me!

[JustAnotherPoster00]

YANBU - I think, as a show of gratitude they should all hang a picture of you in their houses and celebrate the day you were born OP

[HerRoyalNotness]

We get a letter handed to us by our manager saying what the bonus is, and thank them at the time.

Did you tell them upfront or just put it in bank account and expect them to come to you? Maybe some two way communication is in order

[luckylucky24]

I think in a small company where the owner works alongside you then yes a thank you is warranted. It would have been so easy to not give it. My line manager always gives a little gift as we don't get bonuses and we all say thank you.

[Hellmouth]

I personally have never thanked anyone for my bonus because

1. I've earned it by hitting all my objectives
   
2. I've only ever worked for big companies. My current employer has 6000 employees. I can imagine the expression on the CEOs face if he got 6000 thank you notes :D
   

I wouldn't ask for more either because that's cheeky (no matter how tempting it is)

[StereophonicallyChallenged]

Meh, I Think YABU to expect thanks from employees for a bonus.

It's pay, however its dressed up! I have a theory that if a business can afford a 'bonus' each year, then perhaps the salaries should be higher

[Trifleorbust]

Booper42: Erm... Well perhaps they believe the bonuses were deserved too and you have profited from their work enough that a thank you isn't appropriate? I don't know. As I say, try not to take it so personally. It's business.