xmas bonus

[badger]

I have never in my life gotten a christmas bonus... do you get one?

[shootingstar]

Yes, I've received one..from when in private firms. Not all, but some.

When I've worked for govn't, I don't recall getting a Christmas bonus. And the positions I held in govn't were unionized. (I worked for provincial Ont. & B.C.) Provincial govn't Ont. employees have a strong union...which gives them much healthier salary pay scales than prov. B.C. unionized employees.

Would suggest to find out if your pension will be indexed according to inflation. A good govn't pension will be indexed over the years/decades.

Alot of major private firm pensions...tend not to be and no guarantee. It makes a difference long-term. So the lack of Christmas bonuses becomes not as important as other factors over time...that is if you stick around long enough.

[krisl6]

Nope

[Becky]

Nope, but I work in government, so I don't really expect one. Our idea of a bonus is being given an extra half day or day of holiday leave on Christmas Eve (not normally a State holiday) I like it when that happens because it gives DH and me a little more time to get packed up and on the road to the parents' house.

SS, good point about the indexed pension. I need to look into that!

[Tri Girl]

I do. I haven't always gotten one, but now I do (it's a few hundred dollars from out PTO). I teach at a very blessed Catholic School and I know that it's super generous of them to do that for us.


It's not thousands or tens of thousands (or millions for some CEO's) like some companies- but it's more than enough for me.

[NoNo]

We usually do here. Not a very large amount, especially after they take taxes out of it! Not sure what will happen this year since we had to lay people off, but we were told that we will be getting raises for next year. Of course, they're taking away the 401(k) matching. I guess I have to take what I can get.

[Pax]

Nope. Working for the state we get zero bonuses...and this year I'm expecting furlough days with a side threat of layoffs.

[KnottedYet]

Nope. No bonus.

[redrhodie]

I used to work in NYC, and the bonus was a big part of my salary. It was kind of a carrot dangled in front of us worker bees to rev up performance, and the amount was different for each person, and there were a lot of hard feelings because of that. Really, life is much better not having to worry about it. It created a lot of stress, and made us perform like drones. I would have enjoyed my job much more if that money was just factored into my salary, not some big guessing game that either made or broke Christmas.

In my current job, I usually get a some cash, but it's what a bonus should be, a little something extra.

[Tuckervill]

We get a turkey.

Karen

[tulip]

At my old job, we got a bonus tied to our projects' performance. We didn't discuss amounts, so I don't know what others received. It was a nice boost, since the pay was not so great for the city's living expenses.

At my current job we don't get them. We're a very small company (only 3 people), and if the budget would allow it, we would give bonuses. But for now we don't.

[annielynn]

We don't get a "Christmas Bonus" but the city I work for times our longevity Check to come to us the first check of December so that helps a lot. We also get a $25 grocery store gift card. I am happy with it.

[tulip]

We don't get a "Christmas Bonus" but the city I work for times our longevity Check to come to us the first check of December so that helps a lot. We also get a $25 grocery store gift card. I am happy with it.

A grocery gift card is great...at one place I worked we got nutcrackers--the soldier kind. Now, WTH was I going to do with a nutcracker? I detest knick-knacks and tchotkes. I would have much rather had a gift card with which I could buy something useful.

[Veronica]

No bonus for me, just "interesting" presents from my students. Don't give your kid's teachers knickknacks. Unless you know they really like that stuff.

This year we're getting our staff cut even more. It's sad, but the district just doesn't have any money. We've already started dipping into our reserves. Yet I know our union is going to squawk about any cuts the district proposes. We are one of the few districts in CA to still have 20 to 1 class sizes K - 3. That's costing huge amounts of money and I honestly don't see a huge benefit at 5th grade. I don't have any more students prepared for the rigours of 5th grade than I did pre 20 - 1.

Times are tough.


Veronica

[Pax]

A grocery gift card is great...at one place I worked we got nutcrackers--the soldier kind. Now, WTH was I going to do with a nutcracker? I detest knick-knacks and tchotkes. I would have much rather had a gift card with which I could buy something useful.

Ditto. For my five year service award I got a coffee cup and a $5 gift card to the coffee shop where I take break every morning, I thought it was a great gift!!