What is the usual amount for the Xmas bonus?

[z2g]

I've never worked in a corporate setting as an employee. I've always wondered how much do ppl generally get as Xmas bonuses. What's the average amount?

[TigerStar]

I get to keep my job.

[jj.12321]

I generally get told "We are raising the bar next year" (ie work harder) or some other manager BS.

Never got any cash.

[Fallacy]

:lol: We didn't get one this year.

In previous years it's been about 5% pretax

[Landers]

I get to keep my job.
Yeah. We got company branded blankets too. Woohoo... :rolleyes:

[BayArea]

I get to keep my job.

i gotta agree with this. If you still have your job, be happy and shut up!

[zurgboi]

:lol: We didn't get one this year.

In previous years it's been about 5% pretax

holy shizzle...5%?? i wish i got 5% of my salary for a bonus! this year they're giving 2% of salary to 401k.

and as far as the OP's question...depends on your duties or job function.

[Fallacy]

I think the OP is a business owner and is thinking of what to give his employees.


2% pre-tax or post-tax? Because if you do post tax, my 5% turns into 2-3% posttax :lol:
Might have been 4% last year actually... but in either case, def. more than 2% pretax

[TigerStar]

holy shizzle...5%?? i wish i got 5% of my salary for a bonus! this year they're giving 2% of salary to 401k.

and as far as the OP's question...depends on your duties or job function.

That's different. We normally get 10-21% of salary to 401K/Pension/Profit sharing. Last year we got 17%. This year I think we will get 7%, next year we are guaranteed 4%.

[Roland Deschain]

depends on the industry. When I was in Finance I've had 40% of my salary bonus on a slow year. At the administrative level people were pissed about getting $10,000 bonuses (roughly 25% bonuses).

Meanwhile upper level execs were making bonuses that were like 200% of their salary. No lie....I worked in finance in NYC.

Edit:
At my current job we dont get year end bonuses. We get quarterly bonuses.

[Fallacy]

That's different. We normally get 10-21% of salary to 401K/Pension/Profit sharing. Last year we got 17%. This year I think we will get 7%, next year we are guaranteed 4%.

20% bonus into the 401K, is your company hiring? :lol:

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?

[zurgboi]

I think the OP is a business owner and is thinking of what to give his employees.

And to the holy shit 5% comment, yeah, but I took a pay cut to have this job, so it evens out in the end. Nothing is free in life.

ahhh, for his business. i think for a smb,, it depends on how much you profited and i think the %% still should vary depending on resposibility and then performance.

so if you set up to 5% for all employees and an employee had an outstanding review, give them a full 5% or less depending on their performance.

20% bonus into the 401K, is your company hiring? :lol:

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?

20% of your salary? wtf... maybe 20% match?

[redjen910]

I got a $10 GC to the place where I work.

[TigerStar]

20% bonus into the 401K, is your company hiring? :lol:

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?

At the peak, it was up to 7% in each - 401K and Pension and profit sharing, based on business. Only once did we get all 3 7%s. They are changing it to just a 401K starting Jan 1 and rolling everything into it.

No, we are not hiring :P

5 years to 100% vesting. I am at almost 12 years.


20% of your salary? wtf... maybe 20% match?

20% of salary.

[zurgboi]

At the peak, it was up to 7% in each - 401K and Pension and profit sharing, based on business. Only once did we get all 3 7%s. They are changing it to just a 401K starting Jan 1 and rolling everything into it.

No, we are not hiring :P

5 years to 100% vesting. I am at almost 12 years.



20% of salary.

all i can say is wow. you're very lucky. how big is your company? to think if the company i worked for (10K+ people) gave 20% into everyones retirement plan. :omg:

[Fallacy]

You guys get a pension too! Damn, I need to get a new job.

[Landers]

20% bonus into the 401K, is your company hiring? :lol:

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?
Oh come one... you know you want an Apple fleece blanket!

:roll:

[Fallacy]

Oh come one... you know you want an Apple fleece blanket!

:roll:

:lol:

[marg_fan]

A week's pay? We used to get that where I work but it stopped when they tied it to earnings per share and started paying it in February. They estimated goals by upping the prior years EPS.

Have I mentioned I work in the banking industry? Have I mentioned I didn't receive one last year and will not be receiving one this year?

[jenni.]

My dad gets $100. My husband gets a turkey. :lol: However, he usually gets a profit sharing check in the spring.

[z2g]

I was just curious because every year at this time, my friends are talking about getting their Xmas bonus. They're always ecstatic about it. Definitely, 3-5% of your annual salary as a bonus is awesome...if that's what some ppl are getting.

It's not because I was trying to figure out what I wanted to give my staff. They're all part-time employees and students. This is their "school job". I don't think they expect any sort of "bonus". But, I generally give them $50-100 gift cards to the local mall every Xmas....depending on how long they've been with me.

[Landers]

I guess I'd consider my bonus to be able to go back to Boston for Christmas and get paid while I'm there and take no vacation days. Apple treats the 24th, 25th, and 28th-1st as company holidays and we get paid for those days whether we work or not. If I do work it ends up being double time and a half.

[Sonofabeech]

Hey z2g! Give each of your sex slaves employees a t-shirt with your picture imprinted on it. (z2g only hires females)

[redjen910]

I guess I'd consider my bonus to be able to go back to Boston for Christmas and get paid while I'm there and take no vacation days. Apple treats the 24th, 25th, and 28th-1st as company holidays and we get paid for those days whether we work or not. If I do work it ends up being double time and a half.

Wow. My company used to pay 8 hrs straight time for Christmas day only (we are open on the 24th, 26th, 31st and the 1st) but they decided not to pay 80% of the employees this year dur to the economy. The real kicker? They pay me $2.23/hr because I am a tipped employee. Yep saving a whole $17.84.

[Landers]

Wow. My company used to pay 8 hrs straight time for Christmas day only (we are open on the 24th, 26th, 31st and the 1st) but they decided not to pay 80% of the employees this year dur to the economy. The real kicker? They pay me $2.23/hr because I am a tipped employee. Yep saving a whole $17.84.
They do it to keep us as happy as possible. No one wants to do tech support instead of spending time with their family. :nod:

[z2g]

Hey z2g! Give each of your sex slaves employees a t-shirt with your picture imprinted on it. (z2g only hires females)

LOL!!!! Yes, they would all LOVE to have a picture of me on a T-shirt!:lmao:

Actually, I only hire females because I have never had a male apply for a receptionist position at my office. To be honest, I wouldn't care if my staff was a male or female....as long as they're good. The last couple girls I hired have been pretty bad. I just don't have the heart to fire them.

[Sonofabeech]

Wow. My company used to pay 8 hrs straight time for Christmas day only (we are open on the 24th, 26th, 31st and the 1st) but they decided not to pay 80% of the employees this year dur to the economy. The real kicker? They pay me $2.23/hr because I am a tipped employee. Yep saving a whole $17.84.:eek: I thought you worked for an engineering firm.

LOL!!!! Yes, they would all LOVE to have a picture of me on a T-shirt!:lmao:

Actually, I only hire females because I have never had a male apply for a receptionist position at my office. To be honest, I wouldn't care if my staff was a male or female....as long as they're good. The last couple girls I hired have been pretty bad. I just don't have the heart to fire them.So if a flaming gay applied, you could hire him and still enjoy your "side benefits" like you have with your female employees!

[z2g]

:eek: I thought you worked for an engineering firm.

So if a flaming gay applied, you could hire him and still enjoy your "side benefits" like you have with your female employees!

LOL!!!! I live in the S.F. Bay Area. In all the jobs I've held while in school, I've always had gay coworkers! I've always been cool with them....NEVER have changed sides though, if you know what I mean! I've never played for the "brown" team.:P

[redjen910]

:eek: I thought you worked for an engineering firm.

I dropped out of engineering school in '92. I am 3/4 mechanical engineer so I can see where you may have come up with that idea. Before I moved this May I owned?operated a tiny cleaning company. I tried to start the same down here in TN to no avail and I picked up a waitressing job because I have to pay rent and eat.

And no one really wants to sling coffee and pancakes rather than spending time with their family Landers. They just don't care if we're happy. since the economy is bad we're easily replaced.

[veritableqndry]

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/need-about-tree-fiddy.jpg

[Sonofabeech]

I dropped out of engineering school in '92. I am 3/4 mechanical engineer so I can see where you may have come up with that idea. Before I moved this May I owned?operated a tiny cleaning company. I tried to start the same down here in TN to no avail and I picked up a waitressing job because I have to pay rent and eat.I must have missed the part where you moved. Where did you used to live? Is moving the reason you don't link your blog anymore? Are you the lounger that wanted to start a closet cleaning and organizing company? Is it more fun going to the bars in Nashville than your old place? How many is twelve?

[mrlaugh]

congress just passed a 2% cost of living increase for federal employees, does that count?

[la20]

All I got is a $100 gift card

[Tonedeaf]

I get to keep my job.

:iagree:

I have never received a Xmas bonus. I work in a corporate setting.

Wife however gets one week of pay in cash as her bonus. :whee:

[lilac100]

$800 this year, but before the economy turned it was between 10-14% of our last 6 months pay. They weren't supposed to give us anything so I was beyond thrilled with $800.

[shhaggy]

For me it's usually been about two paychecks (4 weeks pay), give or take. Some years I got more for performance related variables, but that's more of a nice gesture than the rule. The bonus isn't really linked to individual performance, but overall success.

I dropped out of engineering school in '92. I am 3/4 mechanical engineer so I can see where you may have come up with that idea. Before I moved this May I owned?operated a tiny cleaning company. I tried to start the same down here in TN to no avail and I picked up a waitressing job because I have to pay rent and eat.

And no one really wants to sling coffee and pancakes rather than spending time with their family Landers. They just don't care if we're happy. since the economy is bad we're easily replaced.

Wait, that's how it works? I guess I'm 3/8 Computer Engineer! I should put that on my resume.

[redjen910]

I must have missed the part where you moved. Where did you used to live? Is moving the reason you don't link your blog anymore? Are you the lounger that wanted to start a closet cleaning and organizing company? Is it more fun going to the bars in Nashville than your old place? How many is twelve?

Okay here goes- I used to live in the metro Detroit area. Haven't written much as of late (remember I only write about relationships that have gone bad or are over. I guess I should start writing again). GG is the one who wanted to start closet cleaning and organizing company. I actually did start a cleaning company and that was my sole income for 5 years. Please don't confuse the two of us. I very rarely go to bars but bars back home are typically more fun because I have more friends there. No, I don't like country music. And last but not least 1100.

[rebat]

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?

And that's the catch!!

[Pig]

Never got a "Xmas bonus" in any of my jobs...

[hAvAAck]

I got a $50 gift card for my "holiday" bonus this year. Last year I left my job pre-holidays.

[ggx]

I wish I got 5%.

Last year I got $500, but I work for a small office and it was my first year. The others got more.

[zurgboi]

I wish I got 5%.

Last year I got $500, but I work for a small office and it was my first year. The others got more.

i'll give you 5%... :evil:

[BrgnHntr]

I worked for a school district so no bonuses ever. Dh got a $30 gc this year. :lol:

An old company he worked for had an employee appreciation day that they made a big deal of, everyone in the mail office had a big catered ice cream social. Everyone in the other offices (and the one he worked at was pretty big with 300-500 employees) got GCs for a child size ice cream cone at Baskin Robbins. :roll: For their Christmas party, they sent out an email telling everyone they were being treated to a company lunch with small print at the bottom that it was pot luck.

[zurgboi]

I worked for a school district so no bonuses ever. Dh got a $30 gc this year. :lol:

omg... i think your dh works at the same company as me

[Shellac]

Quarterly bonuses and cost of living increase for 2010(federal employee).

[buddaswife]

At my last job I got a wine basket one year, and another year I got a company branded long sleeve shirt.. In the past I've gotten $200 check, $100 check, several hams, some company branded items.
This year I will get nada because I am still unemployed!

[R.G.]

My boss took all the employees out for a nice dinner.....except me and Jex :sadwalk:

[ggx]

he figured you two would rather be at home eating mini burgers and playing with vibrating sesame street toys

[z2g]

Wow....I'm amazed that some ppl get what amounts to 1-2 weeks of their normal paycheck. That's awesome!

[Schooby]

I get to keep my job.

You worked where I did?


Yeah...my boss gave me a one dollar scratch off lotto ticket. :lol:

That's different. We normally get 10-21% of salary to 401K/Pension/Profit sharing. Last year we got 17%. This year I think we will get 7%, next year we are guaranteed 4%.

Oh ok...nm on working where I did...:sadwalk:

[hAvAAck]

Wow....I'm amazed that some ppl get what amounts to 1-2 weeks of their normal paycheck. That's awesome!

:iagree:
do most of you not work with a annual or quarterly bonus, or do you have both (holiday and performance based)

[DealCrazy]

I've never worked in a corporate setting as an employee. I've always wondered how much do ppl generally get as Xmas bonuses. What's the average amount?

In this economy - ZERO. Employers think that employees must be happy to even have a Job.

[Shucksgirl]

Depends on the Company's performance, the Division's performance and position.

Normally between 5 to 15%.

[cookiemonster.]

This year I didn't get a bonus b/c i'm not considered FT :look:

But it was a ham to those that were FT.

[TeamSharkie]

It's really strange how they do it for us since I work in a firm and no one is salaried. They looked at all the billable hours you accrued throughout the year and did 10% of your billable rate for the partners, 5% for associates, and 2% for everyone else plus $100 Starbucks gift cards.

I must say it's a little unbalanced since the 2% really doesn't amount to anything since that generally applies to the admins, assistants, etc. and they don't really get any billable work. However, for some of the partners that are getting paid $400/hr, they essentially get over $5000 as a bonus.

[w3kn]

Up to a one year membership in the Jelly of the Month Club. It's the gift that keeps on giving the entire year!

[rybal]

Anywhere from 0% (last year) to 10% (year before); 5-7% most times

[PhoenixFP]

My mom's was $100 cash. She doesn't make a lot as an RN, but it was the fact she got one this year that was the most surprising.

[jspoon02]

Ive worked for the same company for about 11yrs & have always gotten $500 & a ham. Dont know what the boss bases it on but Ive always gotten it. He usually waits till the last minute to & makes us sweat it out! lol

Still waiting it it this year... thinking it will be Wed.

[PhillyJan]

What's a Christmas bonus? :confused: :lol:

[MMSherrill]

I got nothing - they don't like me because I don't suck up.

[frazzled4]

I have been at my job about 4 yrs. Took a pay cut, lost my pension and 401k match, but glad to still be employed. The End :)

[KatrinW]

I got a $10 GC to the place where I work.

Unbutton a few more buttons. Hello Jen, I don't know if you remember who I am.

[tribblegirl]

DH's boss is in Mexico so we've gotten to "take home" all of the holiday goodies & baskets that were delivered to the office. Guess DH's boss didn't tell his fellow contractors he was going to be out of town.

Oh well, he's a dick.

[setsail]

Dh doesn't get a Christmas bonus, never has. His previous company gave them $6 per person to have Christmas lunch on the company. The new contractor didn't even send the employees a Christmas card.

[Iaaaiws]

No Christmas bonus where I work. Since our last contract we are scheduled to get quarterly profit-sharing but so far that has usually been a big fat zero because of the way they keep shuffling the numbers around.

[Hawk2007]

Well, at least my bonus is less embarrassing now so y'all make me feel better :hug:

$25 bonus :(

[susiel2]

So that's why the news hasn't reported any bonuses except for ceos wall street and bank folks. That is not happening in the real world this year.
Hubby's company gives out bonuses 2 times a year ( about a weeks pay)> But if the group had a great year then extra time off paid vacation days.
His old company a brokerage firm had some of the best bonuses ever.....Besides a full months pay, they sent out catered meals a week before xmass to their employees at home.

[zzyzzx]

Holiday bonus? What's that?

[redjen910]

Unbutton a few more buttons. Hello Jen, I don't know if you remember who I am.

Sure I do. Company policy requires all except the very top button to be buttoned. It's in the handbook even.

[diveborg]

I've never worked in a corporate setting as an employee. I've always wondered how much do ppl generally get as Xmas bonuses. What's the average amount?

I've gotten from $0 to $2300. As an Electrician, it depends on the shop I'm working for that Christmas. 1 shop gave out a ham to everyone for christmas. 2 years ago I got a lay-off for Christmas. :rolleyes: This year's company gave out $50 Fred Meyers (Krogers) gift cards at Thanksgiving. I think they gave them out then because most of us will be laid off by Christmas.

[Liftedpsd]

i got a 50 dollar gift card this year, we also get paid 8 hours for Christmas plus what we work(we are open 365 a year).

[larrymoencurly]

We split up 25% of the company's profits, and it hasn't been good for two years.

[zmarko]

I got a $10 GC to the place where I work.
I got a pass to a free movie, which expires on the 31st. :lol:

[Flinstones]

Part of my pay is profit related, so a christmas bonus, $0. Other bonuses throughout the year, >>$0

[Ram|bunc|tious]

I got 10 additional tickets in the SD giveaway thread! :yahoo:

[tresanus]

20% bonus into the 401K, is your company hiring? :lol:

How long do you need to work to get fully vested?

We get 10% guaranteed every year in our 401k. Doesn't matter how much you put in :bounce:

PS we hiring!

[Schooby]

I got 10 additional tickets in the SD giveaway thread! :yahoo:

:lol: Merry Christmas!!!!!!! :groupwav: :yahoo: :P Now if you win...that would be an awesome bonus. :grin:

[Fallacy]

We get 10% guaranteed every year in our 401k. Doesn't matter how much you put in :bounce:

PS we hiring!

We used to get 10% a while ago, and then things changed :lol:

What industry are you in :curious:? You're fairly local to where I live.

[tresanus]

We used to get 10% a while ago, and then things changed :lol:

What industry are you in :curious:? You're fairly local to where I live.

Defense consulting

Government contractor baby - either you work in the govt or for the govt around here amiright

[Fallacy]

Defense consulting

Government contractor baby - either you work in the govt or for the govt around here amiright

:lol: 100% true

[Me]

Defense consulting

Government contractor baby - either you work in the govt or for the govt around here amiright

Max's previous username was Marx. He then took out the 'r' to conform better. He's actually trying to bring down the government. But don't say anything, Obama is monitoring him right now

[tresanus]

Max's previous username was Marx. He then took out the 'r' to conform better. He's actually trying to bring down the government. But don't say anything, Obama is monitoring him right now

I< A I3 L IVI A R X ahhhh

[noungning]

last year we had a 4% raise pay freeze. this year they gave us the raise of 2% and a $500 bonus pre tax = nothing after taxes. :( taxes are evil. now if only insurance premiums stay the same :thumbup:

[Fallacy]

last year we had a 4% raise pay freeze. this year they gave us the raise of 2% and a $500 bonus pre tax = nothing after taxes. :( taxes are evil. now if only insurance premiums stay the same :thumbup:

:huh: Taxes aren't 100%

[Ram|bunc|tious]

:huh: Taxes aren't 100%

Re-elect Obama and try to say that again in 4-5 years ;)

[Count_Chocula]

Re-elect Obama and try to say that again in 4-5 years ;)

who cares, everybody will be out of work by then?

[noungning]

:huh: Taxes aren't 100%

okay I was over exaggerating sheesh Mr. Smarty Pants.

[Fallacy]

okay I was over exaggerating sheesh Mr. Smarty Pants.

I'll take the $300 post-tax bonus that you got it you don't want it :dontknow:

[stimpy]

congress just passed a 2% cost of living increase for federal employees, does that count?

In this economy - ZERO. Employers think that employees must be happy to even have a Job.

It just kills me ... FEDERAL WAGE FREEZE .. is all over the news ... this means "cost of living" INCREASE .... so via Federal math: Increase = Freeze ... and they're the ones with the most influence over the economy that the rest of us fight to survive in.

2 years ago they took away 15% and all 401k and benifits ... a few months ago they gave back 10% ... it is pretty safe for me to say that, by "federal standards", I will NEVER receave a pay increase. (first they need to give back 5% ... then 401k ... then the best they have ever done is 2% cost of living increase... so ya ... I got that going for me. fml

[noungning]

I'll take the $300 post-tax bonus that you got it you don't want it :dontknow:

Too late, went all to my bills :) But did I say I didn't want it? I was just complaining about taxes and insurance premiums.

[Count_Chocula]

It just kills me ... FEDERAL WAGE FREEZE .. is all over the news ... this means "cost of living" INCREASE .... so via Federal math: Increase = Freeze ... and they're the ones with the most influence over the economy that the rest of us fight to survive in.

2 years ago they took away 15% and all 401k and benifits ... a few months ago they gave back 10% ... it is pretty safe for me to say that, by "federal standards", I will NEVER receave a pay increase. (first they need to give back 5% ... then 401k ... then the best they have ever done is 2% cost of living increase... so ya ... I got that going for me. fml

Freeze was referrin to merit increases, not cost of living.

[Kabn]

no bonuses during the year: just my salary. current company stopped doing Christmas bonuses and rolled $500 into everyone's salary three months before i started. doesn't sound like a lot, but if they gave that much to every employee every year, that would have been be $1.75 million then and closer to $2 million now.

that said: this is the first year i've had to pay anything for health insurance, and it's much less than what my friends pay. i also have a lot of flexibility: as long as my systems are running smoothly, i can run short errands during the day and nobody cares about lunch times as long as it's not regularly egregious. decent 401k matching, casual work environment, cool direct supervisor; i could do a lot worse.

[Me]

Re-elect Obama and try to say that again in 4-5 years ;)

who cares, everybody will be out of work by then?

:roll:

[zzyzzx]

At most places it's zero. Lately at Wells Fargo it's been layoff notices.

[Majide]

I work for an engineering company.

I may get a raise, and we have a Christmas party that the company will no longer pay for.

:sadwalk:

When I worked at the mall for a month decorating ornaments, she at least gave me a scratch-off lotto ticket thing. :)

[Iaaaiws]

No Christmas bonus here but so far for the year I am at a little over $17,000 in profit sharing, safety and vacation bonuses.

No matching for the 401K though because for now we still have a pension plan.

[zyx321]

About tree-fiddy.

Our company does our end of year bonuses wierd. We have an opportunity based on our overall performance as a company and as individual plants to make a combined 150% of 5% of salary. Last year was like 40% of 5% of salary but this year we did well and it was 120%. So basically 6% of salary pre-tax. After tax, that equates to roughly 3.6%. Pretty decent check. It's nothing I count on from year to year though, because it's not only based on our location's performance, but the overall company as a whole. Some years it's nothing, some years its small amounts, and rarely, like this year, it's a pretty large sum. I just use it to make extra payments on loans to get them paid off quicker.

[PaintTheSkyGrey]

Government employees don't get Christmas bonuses. :(

[OhNoItsDEVO]

A years subscription to the Jelly Of The Month Club

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SR9zBs_PyEo/R3AVp5mLfsI/AAAAAAAAAJI/WM04pFhScOE/s1600/NLCV-7.jpg

[mrlaugh]

It just kills me ... FEDERAL WAGE FREEZE .. is all over the news ... this means "cost of living" INCREASE .... so via Federal math: Increase = Freeze ... and they're the ones with the most influence over the economy that the rest of us fight to survive in.

2 years ago they took away 15% and all 401k and benifits ... a few months ago they gave back 10% ... it is pretty safe for me to say that, by "federal standards", I will NEVER receave a pay increase. (first they need to give back 5% ... then 401k ... then the best they have ever done is 2% cost of living increase... so ya ... I got that going for me. fml

way to quote a year old post like I said it recently. there is no federal math, this year I get nothing extra, my pay will be the same next year as it is now.

I won't deny that it was probably overdue, but I'll also say federal employees are the easy scapegoats in the attack on government spending. if you want to be angry, look at your state and local governments. in Texas, state employees get a 2.25% pension, they can retire on full salary after 25 years! :ohmy: for the feds, we get 1%, and a 401(k), and minimum retirement is 35 years at 57+ years old, and it's not like 35% would go very far, anyway. the locals are similar to the states, they're outside of the OASDI system, and typically have full pensions, which the federal government hasn't had since the mid-80's.

[mrlaugh]

Freeze was referrin to merit increases, not cost of living.

it's the other way around. there is a law on the books that federal employees will be given cost of living increases at a minimum of 1.9% a year minimum or CPI inflation up to 3.5%, but congress has usually passed a bill as part of the yearly budgets changing that amount. for this year, that number will be zero, and for next year.

merit increases (steps within a grade series) are still due, and the average federal employees gets a step increase every other year, unless awarded a step increase for performance (which doesn't happen much)

[stimpy]

I wasn't mad at you Mr. Laugh :hug:

I'm mad at myself for staying at a job that has ZERO hope of me ever making what I made over 10 years ago (adjusting for inflation) ... it's hard to accept that my best years (financially) are behind me (unless I find a different job somewhere else).

[susiel2]

stimpy, at least be grateful you have a job this year. Noticed the thread was from last year.
This year a week before thanksgiving he as well as others got a pink slip, he is looking so are a lot of other folks, at least he is getting calls and interviews.......
I re iterate what i said last year. No wonder why we are not hearing of employee bonuses this year. The economy hasn't improved and more folks lost jobs. The numbers reported today were 9.8 which does not include those that no longer get benefits. Or contract workers that do not get benefits any way... I wish us all better times a head and most importantly work.

[coulditbeSatan]

I get a week's worth of free Slurpees.

[noungning]

I get a week's worth of free Slurpees.

OMFG no way!! I :heart: SLURPEES!! :rock: but only 1 flavor :D

[Count_Chocula]

OMFG no way!! I :heart: SLURPEES!! :rock: but only 1 flavor :D

let me guess, red?

[noungning]

let me guess, red?

nope :shake: and is red even a flavor??

peach mango FTW :D

[PedroR]

From Hewitt


December 15, 2009
Cash and Gift Cards Replaced with Pay for Performance Programs
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. – Most U.S. employees hoping to get a holiday bonus to supplement the small pay raises they saw this year may be disappointed. A new survey from Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, shows the number of companies offering traditional holiday bonuses in 2009 are at record lows. While the current economy has accelerated the decrease, Hewitt's research shows a steady trend away from these bonuses toward the adoption of more formal pay for performance programs to reward and thank employees.

Hewitt's annual Holiday Bonus survey of more than 300 companies shows that less than a quarter (24 percent) are offering holiday bonuses this year, down significantly from 42 percent in 2008. Of those giving bonuses, nearly half (49 percent) will give cash, spending a median of $250 per employee. Thirty-nine percent will give gift cards, with a median value of $35 per employee, and 22 percent will give food (e.g., turkey or ham).

Replacing holiday bonuses are variable pay programs, which have increasingly emerged as the primary pay for performance vehicle for employers and make up a greater portion of an employee's overall compensation package. According to Hewitt research, average employer spending on variable pay as a percent of payroll has steadily increased over the past decade, from 9.7 percent in 2000 to 11.2 percent in 2010. On the other hand, average pay raises have been steadily decreasing. In 2000, average salary increases were 4.3 percent compared to just 1.8 percent, in 2009.

"Holiday bonuses have been falling out of favor in recent years as companies face increased pressure to reduce costs and are more focused on growth and performance," said Ken Abosch, head of Hewitt's North American Broad-Based Compensation Consulting practice. "Instead of giving arbitrary, across-the-board bonuses, employers want to find ways to appropriately reward their highest performing employees. And they are doing this by reserving more of their compensation budgets for bonuses that are based on performance and must be re-earned each year."

Companies Hosting Holiday Parties Down Slightly
In addition to cutting back on holiday bonuses, fewer employers will host holiday parties this year. According to Hewitt's survey, 60 percent will fund holiday parties, down from 71 percent in 2008. Of those that do host holiday parties, the median amount organizations plan to spend is $15,000, down from $19,000 in 2008.

Aside from smaller budgets, most employees can expect to see parties similar to years past. A little more than half (51 percent) will hold parties after work hours and 61 percent plan to host them at off-site locations. Fifty-five percent plan to allow employees to bring significant others.

About Hewitt Associates For more than 65 years, Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) has provided clients with best-in-class human resources consulting and outsourcing services. Hewitt consults with more than 3,000 large and mid-size companies around the globe to develop and implement HR business strategies covering retirement, financial and health management; compensation and total rewards; and performance, talent and change management. As a market leader in benefits administration, Hewitt delivers health care and retirement programs to millions of participants and retirees, on behalf of more than 300 organizations worldwide. In addition, more than 30 clients rely on Hewitt to provide a broader range of human resources business process outsourcing services to nearly a million client employees. Located in 33 countries, Hewitt employs approximately 23,000 associates. For more information, please visit www.hewitt.com.