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Original poster

Length of service bonus & giving notice

12 replies

zarah21 · 07/06/2022 00:31

Hi all,

I work for a company where you get a holiday voucher at 3 years of service, and then 5.

I'm at nearing 5 years, but due to covid, I never redeemed my 3 year bonus. I have asked for it, and I have been given the go ahead to buy my holiday on the company card and transfer them the difference.

On another note, I have been feeling managed out lately, and put feelers out for a new job. After a lengthy disciplinary meeting, I was given a warning.

Both happened today. A "yes, buy your holiday" and "here, have a written warning"

I had an interview, and got the job!! I was given a potential start date today too. For one months time.

I still want my holiday, but I also need to hand in my notice. My concern is, can they make me pay back the holiday bonus, given I accrued it nearly two years ago? I will be taking the holiday, after my notice period has finished.

Its all happened so fast. This bonus, for length of service, from what I gather, is not in my contract but on forms as a staff benefit.

Please help! Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Original poster
zarah21 · 07/06/2022 05:23

I mean, do you think I should just let it go? Its £1.5k and you know, I've earned it. But if its going to cause me problems, if they can legally ask for it back and put me out of pocket then I shouldn't. But can they do that?

OP posts:
SolasAnla · 07/06/2022 05:47

If your bonus was for "3 years lenght of service" with no other conditions then you have fulfilled the conditions of the bonus on the first day of year 4, so have earned the money.
I would look for the written HR documentation and make a hard copy of it and if you have not got permission in writing I would recommend that you get whoever agreed to the bonus payout follow up the offer in writing. Some companies have a condition that you have to be currently employed and not have given notice to qualify for any bonus.

My concern would be that if you pay for the holiday directly on the company card are you sticking directly to the conditions? If possible I would buy a voucher for the exact amount and then pay for everything using it and your personal card/ bank account. That bit depends on of your managers are petty or fair. If they are fair they will accept that it was money owed and move on. If petty it prevents them from just cancelling any bookings on the company card or getting in an argument that you owe the company money for any payment over and above what is in the bonus.

Indigoo03 · 07/06/2022 06:50

Agree with reading the HR handbook. I know some industries with annual bonuses do not pay out if you have handed in your notice before it hits your bank account. Also some mean firms could ask for training/exam course fees back. Largely depends on how mean the company and your line manager is. I think the bigger the company the less likely they will bother to reclaim but do check the handbook otherwise get it in writing if poss.

Indigoo03 · 07/06/2022 06:50

Agree with reading the HR handbook. I know some industries with annual bonuses do not pay out if you have handed in your notice before it hits your bank account. Also some mean firms could ask for training/exam course fees back. Largely depends on how mean the company and your line manager is. I think the bigger the company the less likely they will bother to reclaim but do check the handbook otherwise get it in writing if poss.

Indigoo03 · 07/06/2022 06:51

Can you mention the industry very generally?

Original poster
zarah21 · 07/06/2022 08:06

Its the tourism sector.

They call it a travel voucher, so you can use it against a holiday, its not monetary, in the sense the 1.5k ever hits my bank account. I was in the mindset that if I "spend" it before I leave, then that would be enough
But the travel date would be after I have left. I guess it wouldn't seem so bad if it wasn't happening days after one another, buying the holiday and then handing in my notice.

As for HR, I've never seen a book, we don't have a department etc, its a one woman band at the top making everyone's life hell. For the record, she dished these disciplinaries out like sweets, that's 4 between the 3 of us now. I'm so fed up.

OP posts:
SolasAnla · 07/06/2022 08:30

Was there a payroll return (tax and NI) made in year 3 to reflect that you earned the bonus?

As its a small business owner managed I would send an email asking if the bonus was processed by payroll and what the post taxed/NI amount is.

Original poster
zarah21 · 07/06/2022 09:32

Oh gosh, I doubt it. Yeah 3 was covid central. No bookings, money coming in etc and for people trying to redeem their 3 years, they were told there's no money in the pot and to wait. Which they did, and redeemed about a year later.

OP posts:
Original poster
zarah21 · 07/06/2022 09:33

I'm thinking of changing travel dates and going before I leave the company. Or as above, buying a voucher for the amount.

OP posts:
D0lphine · 07/06/2022 09:35

Basically, get the voucher / holiday. Ie "spend" the bonus.

Then hand your notice in...

Hunderland · 12/06/2022 00:59

£1.5k for 3 years?! We get £100 for ten years 🤣

Original poster
zarah21 · 13/06/2022 18:34

I'm due another £1.5k for my 5 year bonus, early July. But I'm letting that go, I think the notice will go in before that. 😬

I could hold out, but the anxiety of the possibility of having to reimburse puts me off trying.

OP posts:
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