to decline my Christmas bonus?

[IAmRubyLennox]

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?

Take the money. You won't get any gratitude from management or your colleagues for refusing it - and showing solidarity with them means telling colleagues you got x10 what they got or it's a meaningless gesture. Spend it - it's yours. Telling them just stirs things up and then they think you are mad for being a martyr.it was for the year past, not the year ahead. Loyalty only stretches so far.

I gave away a (small) Christmas bonus one year . It was paid in gift card, which you could spend at a certain supermarket which was a client. I did some work for this client and they were awful - watched them screw the small guys and thought their ethics stank! So after the Christmas party, and very drunk, I walked past the very same supermarket and spur of the moment, i though "fuck it, i don't even want their products in my house" and gave the card to the tramp who always sat outside.

Take it and treat yourself

You must take it. The company clearly values you highly (congratulations) and if you say no, the implied message is that you don't think you're worth it and that you're happy to take on all these extra duties for no salary increase/bonus. There is not enough meritocracy these days - Ernest makes a good point - and at least your company appears to be trying to reward good work.

Take it and donate it to your preferred charity?

Either take it and treat the team or take it and give it to charity.

OK, I will take it!

Could spend it on clothes for job interviews

Thank you.

Take it and roll up a spliff in a £50 note.

Would it make problems for you if you dont take it?