Bonus Time

Holiday time leads to expectations on the part of employees that a bonus should be coming their way. Some take it as a given regardless of the quality of their effort, Others assume it is coming without the company's results being taken into consideration. So, of course, ample opportunity for disappointment exists.

Now the flip side....The entrepreneurial business owner is looking at the end of a mediocre to bad year. He or she is worried about making payroll every period, much less having money for bonuses. It is not clear what next year holds, but it is not looking good. Layoffs are possible...or even worse.

What to do?

The owner wonders how a holiday without a bonus check would be perceived. Would it send a signal that would have good employees looking for new jobs? Would it cause a panic?

What a conundrum. What a cruel time of year the holidays can be.

Lots of owners do not feel that their employees are entitled to too much information about the state of the company. So they keep it secret, and then their actions are not clearly understandable.

Honesty is probably the best policy. It should be no surprise to employees that times are tough. It should be no surprise that the company is impacted.It is only fair that they have as much information as possible to help them make decisions about their futures.

Of course, if the criteria for the bonus are made clear at the beginning of the year, and the workers are kept apprised throughout the year, there will be no surprises. Maybe next year, you can start off the year the right way and avoid the angst at the end of the year.

Comments

[Evening Dresses]

I like Politico and have really enjoyed their online info. Newspaper and print advertising is completely going to the wayside, so it is just natural progression to bring the papers online for all. I wonder what will happen in the future with world online newspapers

[Swarovski Rings]

It is not clear what next year holds, but it is not looking good. Layoffs are possible...or even worse.