Bonus vs notice period dilemma

[Username0446]

Currently working in an incredibly toxic workplace (huge employer, multi national company) and have been offered another role I want to take elsewhere. Slightly higher salary but much better culture fit. Stickler is my notice period is 3 months and annual bonus is being paid out at the end of April (circa 25% of my yearly salary so it’s no small loss!). Contract states you don’t get your bonus if working your notice.

Do I accept the bonus was never mine & sign contract for the new role which means I’ll miss out on it or accept the role and not work my full notice period? I’d rather not leave on bad terms or be threatened with court action but am struggling to accept the bonus I’ve worked so hard for won’t be mine.

Any advice welcome! Thank you

I’d tell the new employer you are due the bonus, and so can’t accept until April, and see what they say.

Negotiate a golden handshake with the new employer

Yeah, I'd do what @MidnightPatrol patrol suggests too. So many senior folk get a buy out of the bonuses they would have got had they not changed jobs

I did consider this but was worried they’d rescind the job offer. Maybe it’s more common than I thought?! I guess the worst they can say is no. Thank you

Have you already told this new company about your notice period? If not, you can tell them your notice period is 4 months, or suggest that you need to extend it if you've told them already. Probably depends which size of company you work for - I'd be happy to wait another month for the right candidate within the SME I work for, but definitely wouldn't be getting a 'golden handshake' approved. But at a large corporate they might not bat an eyelid at the 'handshake' and want you there quicker.

Golden hello ... handshake is upon leaving

It’s really common this dilemma at this time of year, particularly in financial services. You absolutely should say you have a bonus due which prevents you resigning unless they want to cover the bonus in a “golden hello” to allow you to resign early. No drama, they will have experienced this before. Know your worth! xx

If the new employer decides to rescind your job offer, giving you the dilemma of having to walk away from a large bonus, then they're showing you who they are. In fact this is a good test of whether their culture is as good as you think it is.

you could say your notice period is 4 months but that isn't a normal notice period (it tends to be 1, 3 or 6 months) and they could find out and then you'll be exposed as lying.

so it's better to be honest and trust that they will do the decent thing and let you get your bonus,

Ok you’re all making me think I should absolutely wait until I get the bonus before resigning - thank you! I thought I was being a bit grabby but I really do feel like I’ve put my all in and don’t want to miss out.

New company already know my notice period is 12 weeks but great shout on this being a test of how good their culture is @daisychain01

I’ll speak to them on Monday and see what their response is.

I told new employer my true notice period but that I would be waiting for bonus before I resigned and they paid me the same bonus I got in the previous year to get me to resign earlier.
if you work in an industry where bonuses are standard then paying them in advance to secure candidates will also be standard

Definitely get the bonus before leaving. At every place I’ve been there are a rush of resignations after bonuses are awarded- everyone holds off leaving till they get their bonus