Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

to decline my Christmas bonus?

33 replies

IAmRubyLennox · 20/12/2011 08:38

I work for a fairly small organisation. This year there's been a lot of changes, new management team (not entirely popular), disciplinary (deserved) of one staff member, all a bit stressful and not the greatest atmosphere.

I don't want this to be AIBU by stealth, but in the interests of keeping a long story short, here's the thing:

All the other employees (about 12 of them) have been given a teensy weensy little cash-in-a-Christmas-card bonus. I've been offered a bonus which equates to 50% of a month's salary.

Yes, it's been a very tough year and I've worked hard. But so have the rest of my team, I certainly haven't worked 10 times harder than them.

Also, I'm applying for other jobs, and there's one I'm waiting to hear about in the New Year. I feel like this is a retention bonus, and it would be cheating to take it and then hand in my notice.

I'm really uncomfortable about accepting this money when it is so much more than everyone else's, and I'm hoping to leave anyway. And also, because I run payroll, I have to pay it to myself.

WWYD?

OP posts:

Amateurish · 20/12/2011 08:41

Take it of course. It's a bonus for the year you've worked, not your loyalty. 4% bonus is not an incredible amount, it's hardly banker level is it?

If you feel bad for your team, why don't you treat them to drinks or a meal out or something?

Grumpla · 20/12/2011 08:41

Er... I'd take it?!?!

If you are feeling super guilty about the disparity between your bonus and that of the rest of your team, spend some of it on nice biscuits for the office / a round of drinks at your leaving do!

It's certainly not going to benefit them in any way if you refuse to accept it. It makes you look pretty weak too, like someone who doesn't know their own worth.

witherhills · 20/12/2011 08:42

That's a very nice sentiment, but its tough out there. If you think they are trying to keep you then maybe discuss what it would take to make you happier there. They obviously value you

Rudolfsgottarednose · 20/12/2011 08:43

I would take it, not taking it, won't make any difference to the other staff members who haven't had as much as you.

Who will benefit and where will the money go if you refuse it?

comedycentral · 20/12/2011 08:44

I would take it, it's not as if they would be sharing it out with the others if you refused. You could always treat the staff or if it really doesn't sit right with you perhaps you should donate it to a worthy cause.

CMOTdibbler · 20/12/2011 08:45

Take it, and if you want, buy the members of your team a treat

MorelliOrRanger · 20/12/2011 08:45

Take it and then if you feel really bad just buy your team a bottle of wine each (are you the supervisor?).

I thought a bonus was for how you have worked in the last year not a retenetion for the the next.

minibmw2010 · 20/12/2011 08:45

Oh for goodness sake, bonuses are not given out for no good reason, of you've been offered a better one than your colleagues your level of work has obviously. Even better/higher than theirs. Not taking it will just make you look like a martyr and nothing else says 'Im looking for another job' more ....

callmemrs · 20/12/2011 08:47

It sounds like a terrible organisation if people are treated with such a lack of equity. If you clearly know that yes you've worked hard, but are no more deserving of this larger bonus than most of the other workforce then I can see why you feel u comfortable. It also begs the question of why you're being given that and whether the boss has some expectation of you which is unreasonable. I think you're doing the right thing by getting out. If you feel better by declining the bonus then do so. I think a lot depends on your family circumstances too. There were times in the past when I was working but really hard up due to child care and I would have taken it, but now I would feel more in a position to follow my moral compass

bagelmonkey · 20/12/2011 08:47

Take it. Take your colleagues out for coffee or a drink or donate some to charity if you want. If you don't take it, it will either go to increase a seniors bonus or something else. It won't benefit your colleagues.

LydiaWickham · 20/12/2011 08:48

Take it! You have earned it, even if everyone else isn't going to get what they have earned.

PurplePidjInAPearTree · 20/12/2011 08:48

Take it, treat your team to a meal/drinks, donate some to charity.

As far as your boss is concerned, it's your money.

lisad123 · 20/12/2011 08:49

I would take it. Your staff aren't going to know either way, and your bonus is nonone else's bussiness.

Amateurish · 20/12/2011 08:52

In every company I have worked for, the more senior members of staff get a much more attractive bonus scheme than the more junior members.

Original poster

IAmRubyLennox · 20/12/2011 08:53

OK, that's pretty unanimous!

There's about 10 people who are all really good, but their jobs are 'industry-standard', i.e. to fulfil that role you need someone with X qualification.

Mine is a bit more niche and has been built up over several years very specific experience, so while I'm not irreplaceable (who is?) it would make their lives a lot more difficult if I left.

Also, I think it's because my work directly affects the amount of crap that hits the head guy's desk, so it's a lot more obvious whether I'm working effectively or not. It just seems really tight to all the others who have harder working conditions than me, less flexibility than me, fewer privileges than me...

Morelli, I'm not the supervisor, I'm effectively a PA / Coordinator to the head guy (although in a small organisation this means I end up with a finger in nearly every pie, hence why I pay the wages too). I don't have any line management responsibility.

OP posts:

Original poster

IAmRubyLennox · 20/12/2011 08:55

It sounds like a terrible organisation

...ain't that the truth

OP posts:

Trills · 20/12/2011 08:55

YWBU to decline the bonus.

It doesn't have strings attached.

They are saying "you are great, please have some money as a token of our appreciation".

marriedandwreathedinholly · 20/12/2011 09:01

Accept the bonus. If you really feel strongly about the inequity use it to fund a super leaving party if you get your new job.

Yankeecandlequeen · 20/12/2011 09:06

you need your head read if you refuse a bonus.

Take it!

ErnesttheBavarian · 20/12/2011 09:08

it may be a terrible organisation,but surely not because they pay different staff different bonuses? How fair would 'equality' be, if the lazy slacker who's taken 10 "sick days" cos they were hungover/couldn't be arced got exactly the same as a hard working conscientious employee who works diligently and reliably? SOunds like the OP is a valued member of staff who is required to do a lot more across the board than the others, and her bonus is a reflection of that.

OP, in your position I would accept the bonus, not feel bad about the disparity, ou have been awarded an amount of your employers' choosing, as have the other staff. You didn't make the decision. And yes, it will first of all come across as a huge snub, and secondly glad up loud and clear you're thinking of leaving, which you may not wish to mention right now.

ErnesttheBavarian · 20/12/2011 09:09

flag up. where did glad come from??

slavetofilofax · 20/12/2011 09:12

Accept it.

Apart from anything else, if you snub it, which is how it would be seen, they might be inclined to give you a less enthusiastic reference for your next job. And while it appears that you ar trying to do the right thing, you presumably have a family to consider too. If your family could do with the money, then you should take it for their benefit as well as yours. They are your priority, not your company.

LovesBloominChristmas · 20/12/2011 09:14

I'm sorry but it does sound to me like you deserve it. Take tge money, put it to one side and gave a fab leaving do on them!

AdditionMultiplication · 20/12/2011 09:19

I would take it. But as you are 'paying yourself' and there is such a difference from the other employees, I would also make sure it is documented clearly with the dicision for a higher bonus coming from the boss, iyswim?

AKMD · 20/12/2011 09:23

Accept it and don't feel guilty if you get the other job.

Flip

1 2