To think I should get a bonus if everyone else does even though I’m on mat leave

[LahDeDah]

Small organisation and the bonus isn’t massive usually but it’s a nice little something that I usually buy myself something with because I don’t really buy anything unless I need it since I’ve had my children, not that it matters to the thread.
I worked in place for 10+ years and currently on mat leave, I was there for 6 months of this year and I feel like I work hard for them as I always have done. This year I haven’t been invited to work Xmas party and also no bonus. Aibu to think it’s not fair if all other employees are having these perks?

Kolo you are talking rubbish, stop making it a men vs women thing. PPs on here might think it’s unfair for a woman on maternity leave to get the same perks as a man would

No, the same perks as anyone who hasn't gone away would! Women not on maternity leave included!

you are entitled to all non cash benefits so Xmas party for sure. bonus should be pro rated if depends on performance and cash in salary. if given as Xmas thanks then probably in full but don't quote me. if given in vouchers should be paid in full.

I think if you valued your staff at all youd pay it anyway.

I assume the companies that dont are the same companies that only pay stat mat and ssp.

I also imagine they have a high staff turnover.

It depends, is is a bonus based on good performance or a Christmas gift? It sounds like its a gift given out in which case YANBU. Although if it is a small firm are you sure it just hasn't slipped someones mind to invite you/not give the gift?

It depends on ts&cs of bonus so can't comment (though I still got a bonus this year and am on mat leave)

Christmas do is a bit mean! I went to mine!

@thentherewascake

I assume the companies that dont are the same companies that only pay stat mat and ssp

I also imagine they have a high staff turnover

My employer pays the statutory benefits, not because they don't value the employees but because they can't afford to pay more, the staff turnover is actually very low as the employees are overall treated very well.

Your point just isn't true for all workplaces.

It’s a bit mean to leave you off the xmas party list. I think bonuses are blurry. In my contract bonuses are discretionary and not guaranteed. We are paid 50/50 on company performance and personal quarterly. I started Mat leave and got paid my bonus as it was ‘bonus month’ but I didn’t get it again until i returned to work. I am all for fairness on mat leave but I wouldn’t expect to of been paid a bonus while on mat leave that was based on personal performance as I wasn’t working so therefore not performing. Maybe I could of fought my case on the company bonus side but my contract states it’s discretionary so I think they would of just referred to that.

I got a bonus and I only contributed to 5 months of that year before leaving. Check your contract ?

According to citizen advice page that PP kindly linked to above, I should get it.
It’s such a small amount though, usually £50-£100 that I’m not sure it’s worth the aggro I’m bringing it up.

YANBU, I got a bonus last mat leave, you just get an average rating when out of the business. I’m expecting the same this year.

As I understand they have to treat you the same as an active member of staff, I’d the ALL got it, you should too.

I’m on the other side of this argument.... I’m one of three managers at my level. One has been off sick for 7 months, and the other on ML for the past 4 months. Neither have been properly backfilled, and I’ve been having to cover important work. We all got exactly the same discretionary payment in November (I know because we speak outside work.) I feel slightly put out and hacked off, as I’ve done considerably more work than either of them this year, and been carrying additional responsibilities. I don’t feel I’ve been treated entirely fairly.

How would you feel from the other side like this?

I got the full company element of my bonus on mat leave & the performance related element pro-rata. I think I was the first person to ever query it from my boss's reaction but fair play she sorted it.
It comes down to wording - our HR have just changed our bonus scheme and it now has discretionary all over every policy. I suggested that having paid it for the last 17 years the old way was precedent but they weren't buying it!!

@holahola would you feel better about receiving your own bonus if other people hadn’t got one? People on sick pay and maternity pay will have much reduced earnings anyway.

Kolo thank you for the biscuit, my point still stands.

You don't know how things work do you would you feel better about receiving your own bonus if other people hadn’t got one?
There's one bonus pot, and the more someone gets, the less the others receive. When someone who has not contributed is given a bonus, it's absolutely unfair on the others who worked hard.

are you so used to receive everything for nothing? In the real world it doesn't work that way, and will less and less.

Kolo I fully accept they will have much reduced earnings. The one on ML chose to have a baby, so could plan for that. I don’t mind at all that they got their contribution pay - but I feel I should have gotten more, given my greater contribution this year. For me, the clue is in the name - contribution.