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DEL.ICIO.USThe disappearing Christmas bonus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Remember when an extra envelope from the boss in December meant extra cash for the holidays?
The Christmas bonus was a way to say ‘thank you’ for all the hard work during the year and to boost morale.
But more workers will go away empty handed this Christmas.
A 2007 holiday study of more than 350 organization found that more than half (53 percent) have never offered a holiday bonus. Another 10 percent have put that practice on ice, according to Hewitt Associates, a global human resources firm.
Of those companies that pulled a bah, humbug on bonuses, most said they did so because of costs. Other reasons cited include moving to more performance-based reward systems and difficulty in administering bonus programs.
Tammy Joyner, an AJC business reporter, recently wrote about this trend. See article.
Do you expect to receive a holiday bonus this year? If you’re the boss, have you discontinued the program? Why or why not?
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: holiday
Comments
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By FCM
December 17, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
HECK NO.
The last time I saw a bonus at Christmas was 1999.
Additionally, most companies will do some kind of bonus like payout in January so it doesn’t hit the Q4 buget….we have to post a good quarter!
By Aurora
December 21, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
We get a bonus every year. This year we had a Christmas luncheon, they gave us 1/2 day off with pay, and handed each of us a check on the way out.
By Beautiful
December 21, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
we rec’d a $25 american express check. it helped out with my grocery bill. even though it’s small, i appreciate it alot. plus we were given a xmas lunch which was very good.
merry xmas err’body!
By Grateful
December 21, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Most years we get one - I’m not sure this year, but I think we are all just grateful to still have our jobs. Times are tough, especially in the real estate industry. We get little perks around the holidays like having a drink together at the end of the day, getting to leave early sometimes, that sort of thing. (No one would “need” Christmas bonuses if they weren’t so concerned with buying every little thing they see during the months of Nov. and Dec. If you can’t afford it normally, don’t buy it.)
By JD
December 21, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
It’s important for managers to reward their people for a good year. I took everyone to a holiday lunch at a nice restaurant and gave everyone a half day off. It’s the least I could do! Merry Christmas!