Told about bonus then didn't receive one

[Wisdomtoothpain]

Was told I had been exceeding targets in my role (junior call centre/admin role which is very target driven) and that I would be in line for a performance bonus on X date.

That has been and gone and as far as I can see my targets have not dipped, we are sent them every Friday by our managers.

My friend in another team doing the same role has been given a generous bonus for performance, the one I was told I'd receive.
It's not just me, I'm sure other team members are deserving.

I can't exactly say 'Hi, am I still getting that bonus?' Or maybe I can, but feels cheeky? It would help a lot with cost of living and would be nice to get a perk in this shitty low paid role because we don't really get any others.

I know I sound bitter but maybe I am!

I have said YABU because you absolutely can ask what has happened to the bonus you told me I was getting and why is it not in my pay?

No flexibility in terms of hours, standard annual leave, ok we get bank holidays off, SSP, nest pension, we don't get anything. I am applying for new jobs though!

Thanks, i know I should, maybe they've genuinely forgot but I dont know ..

Why do you think you can’t ask? Don’t be so meek. You need to toughen up if you want to succeed in life.

You absolutely can, and should, ask what happened to your bonus.

True, im going to ask. Although I had a performance review 2 days ago and there was zero mention of it.

Of course you should ask, why on earth wouldn't you???

You should absolutely ask! If they mentioned ot to you, they have to answer your question. Don't let them get away with it.

Of course you can ask but be prepared for it being discretionary rather than defined.

If you had a performance review 2 weeks ago then you should have taken the opportunity to ask.

You need to woman up and ask your manager. Don't ask if you're getting one - they told you that you are - ask instead WHEN you'll be getting it.

Please work up the courage and ask, if you stay silent you will be ignored. They were the ones who brought it up and told you to expect the bonus on xx date so you're not doing anything wrong by bringing it to let them know you didn't get the promised bonus and ask what's going on.

It’s ok to be upset/bitter. You’re not a volunteer.

You should absolutely ask about it. It's not cheeky at all.

You don’t have to ask your manager about your bonus if that feels rude or embarrassing. You can instead ask your manager to clarify when and how performance bonuses are paid.

If there are incentive bonuses, they only work if employees understand the incentive system. There may have been a mistake. In which case this conversation should bring that to light. Alternatively, you may have not fully understood the bonus structure in which case you will have clarity going forward.

Of course ask. You worked hard for the bonus, you get the bonus. They're not doing you a favour. Hopefully they just forgot, but if they've told you already that you'll be getting it and you have the results to back it up then you should of course remind them. I would also ask "do you know when I will be receiving the bonus you told me about as I understand other people have been receiving theirs?" When, not if.

Why do you think you can't ask?!

You can bet your bottom dollar that à man would ask.

I’d ask , could be something as simple as a form not signed or an unread email and your manager thinks it’s gone through

Yabvu for thinking you would be cheeky asking for it as you absolutely wouldn't be you was told you'd have it and you haven't. I'd be emailing your manager and saying "As per our conversation/your email dated (Date) I was supposed to receive a performance bonus on (Date). I'd like to bring it to your attention that I did not infact receive this, my performance has not lowered since we had this discussion. Please can you chase up with payroll to what is happened with this as I am aware other colleagues have received it. Thank you"

As all PP have said, I get you feel awkward but you MUST raise this. In a polite professional way. You just say (or email if you feel you can’t have the conversation) “dear manger, at our meeting on X date you indicated that as I was exceeding targets I would be in line for a bonus of £X which would be paid on X date. However, I haven’t received the bonus so wanted to follow up to find out what has happened [and when I should expect to be paid the bonus].” I’ve put the last bit in square brackets because if you were only told a bonus was likely, I’d leave out. But if you were told a bonus would be paid, you should include it.

Something similar happened to me once - boss told me my bonus would be a certain amount, when it was paid it was £1000 lower. I felt really awkward raising it with my boss, but it was the. immediately paid and they said it was an admin error. I never found out whether the “admin error” was my boss getting the number wrong so they paid me the extra money to save face for him or if it was a mistake by payroll, but either way one awkward email and I was £1000 better off.

99% there has been an admin stuff up. It is highly unlikely that after telling you you’d get a bonus someone has consciously changed their minds and decided you won’t get one after all.

Do not do this. This is the sort of stupid round about hinting behaviour instead of asking a clear question that gets you nowhere professionally and will make you a manger think you are unable of having a direct conversation. Why why why do so many women and so many British people not understand the value of saying what you mean instead of hinting at it obscurely?!?

My company pulls this shit up every year. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been paid a bonus because I was on mat leave, which is illegal, but difficult to prove. Just ask. You don’t have to be rude or demanding about it, just casually ask. But if you don’t, there likely won’t be any bonus for you. Every company will try to get away with paying as little as they can.

Although I had an instance in the past when I asked my manager about a raise that was promised and not materialised. He pretended not to hear me even though it was just us in the room. He just started at his screen and said nothing. I kept repeating the question until he answered, tried to make a joke about me being pushy. Well you bet I’ll be pushy about an overdue raise, I’m not a volunteer 🙄

Edited to say: my point was don’t be embarrassed to ask. They should be ashamed of dangling the bonus carrot and then not paying it, not you for asking for what you deserve.

Ask!!!

I’m astonished that you work in a call centre yet are timid about asking questions! Channel the version of you that performs well on the phone!

You are a poor managers ideal employee, scared to „make a fuss“ the manager needs to be feeling the heat on this one. Never promise what you can’t deliver.