Should this be in my contract?

[lucidlady]

I've been offered a new job and the contract arrived today. I'm a bit confused by the fact that there's no mention of the discretionary bonus scheme that I'm eligible to participate in - is that normal?

Have you had it in writing somewhere else?

Isn't that because it's discretionary, not contractual? It would be in the contract if it were contractual, but it's not.

I think the fact there is a bonus scheme should be mentioned. That is a fact. Just a sentence like: “The company operates a discretionary bonus scheme and details can be found in the employee handbook (enclosed)”.

The scheme should be given to you as a separate document with details of what discretion is used, eg how do you get it and is it only paid if the company can afford it? Do you qualfy immediately or after a year, and what form does it take? Money or a turkey at Christmas? That sort of thing - rules and information.

Ours is discretionary and contracts make no mention of it. Some years we get a bonus, other years not.

At our place you get a letter after 3 months service.

My contracts have never mentioned discretionary bonus schemes. This is quite normal.

Mine is stayed in my contract it's discretionary.

If a bonus scheme is mentioned at interview that’s a verbal contractural agreement. It’s not a statutory requirement but to save arguments and misunderstandings it should have rules that the employee understands. So when it will be paid, when it won’t be paid and how the employee qualifies for it should be given to the employee. I would ask for details of it. Firms that don’t tell employees about it run risks.