To read the riot act at work

Whatever else, do, say and write nothing in anger.

I wouldn’t wait. As soon as he comes back, speak to him face to face. Express your disappointment that he hasn’t had it signed off. I would also insist that an ex gratia payment is made.

The one thing that really gets to your workforce is when you mess around with their pay.

I would adopt the I think, I feel, I need strategy.

“Hi I think we should have a face to face chat rather than emai. I feel a bit disappointed that my bonus hasn’t been included in this months salary, as Promised. For budgeting purposes I need to know what to expect in advance. I would appreciate if you would have the payment signed off today and an ex gratia payment made”

I am in my 50s and got sick of this pettiness and laziness in managers over things promised etc. I sat down in one job with the new MD and had the conversation re 2 yr training/upgrade plan that would have been a big salary hike for me. He started bull shitting and backing down, I stood up and said it wasn't good enough and to expect my resignation shortly. Went back to my desk, sorted CV, identified new job and got it within 4 weeks. He had to watch me go to work two buildings down while he scrapped around trying to sort out my abrupt leaving - which was all good as still on the shitty admin contract with 1 weeks notice instead of manager and 3 months notice etc. No hesitation to leave to be honest had ptsd from that job for about 5 years and no I am not being flippant

Glad you’re feeling a bit better and yes get into that CV!

This.

Find out the facts first.

Glad to be of help.

It also starts to build a paper trail and puts "Fred" on the spot. If the bonus isn't going to turn up it gives you a) leverage and b) another reason to polish your CV.

You might like to consider if there is anyone else who you could copy in on your email. You don't necessarily want to stir up shit, but you do want to know where you stand.

I would email back saying "Thanks Fred for confirming you are just waiting for sign off on my bonus. Hopefully this will be paid in October. I would be grateful if you could keep me updated and if there are any further obstacles to payment I would welcome a discussion."

I would start applying for jobs first and foremost. I would raise it with your boss that you feel undervalued and this bonus delay and lack of communication isn’t helping. I wouldn’t “read the riot act” I would just flag it and express my disappointment. Line up a new job, get the bonus, and then leave!

The bonus was not confirmed in writing

There's the problem, you haven't got any clout in this situation to "read the riot act".

From your update yes, if it’s not been signed off by the budget holder, it means absolutely nothing unless it’s a contractual entitlement (and even then I think that the amount of the bonus is discretionary).

Sorry cross posted with you OP. Yeah that is crap, especially the lack of heads up.

I also work in a small company and like PPs my first thought would be a payroll error. I would definitely check that before kicking off with anyone.

With our payroll for example the cut off date for processing changes is ridiculously early- I think it’s the 10th of the month or something.

The problem is it wasn't in writing you took his word for it and it obviously means shit.

Always get things this important confirmed in writing otherwise it's your word against theirs.

Email politely to find out what’s going on, if you go in to your boss all guns blazing you’re giving him an excuse not to pay it.

If it’s not just payroll, quiz your boss politely about what’s holding things up and what is needed re final sign off. Maybe drop in how demoralising you’d find it if it wasn’t paid (subtext- I won’t be here for much longer). There’s always a risk without final sign off that this might not be paid at all so just bear in mind that you might need him to fight your corner.

Obviously if it isn’t paid and it becomes clear it’s never going to be then you need to consider your options- doesn’t sound like the business is going well and the culture sounds toxic so, bonus or no bonus, you might be better moving on.

It might be paid separately to the normal payroll, as a one off payment. I would check first, it also gives them an out if it's an oversight.

Instead of diving off the deep end and having a tantrum why don’t you simply ask first off. And if you can’t control yourself, send an email. Just asking why the bonuses wasn’t processed in sept.

I would find out if it's payroll error or delay first and then calmly and politely approach your boss. If you go in reading the riot act then you may find this discretionary bonus is no longer being paid at all.

Don’t kick off and call it a shit show. Just ask pleasantly on a phone call ‘Hi Alan, all good with you? Just a quick one…just received my September payslip and the bonus isn’t there?’ Can you give payroll a ring?

Then depending on his answer…then kick-off.

I would email politely first, saying you've noticed that the bonus is missing and checking it's not a payroll accident.
Our hours go through a system but one month, I still noticed that I was missing a day's hours which had managed to get missed

If the response from the manager is laissez-faire then step it up