By Evan Vitale
As we continue to move closer and closer to the holiday season, many employees start to inquire (or wonder) if their full-time position qualifies them for a holiday bonus.
It would be nice, right?
However, if you don’t have a definitely yes or no answer, don’t plan on a Griswold Christmas with visions of building a swimming pool in your back yard only to find out that your boss has given you a one-year membership to the “Jelly of the Month” club.
In addition, don’t let yourself get caught into the trap of feeling entitled to a holiday bonus, especially if there’s no news about bonus checks. Unfortunately, when the expectations of a bonus check goes sour, your attitude about your boss (and the company you work for) changes quickly.
Sometimes, in this economy, having a job with a steady paycheck and some benefits (even the slightest of benefits) is in of itself a bonus. Think back to when you didn’t have a job and the struggles you endured. Now, you’re employed, able to pay bills and put food on the table for you and your family. Appreciate your job. After all, hopefully you don’t have to beg Mr. Scrooge to put another piece of coal on the fire, nor did you have to ask off for the Christmas holiday.
Bonus time is a difficult time for employers and business owners. Perhaps, the company you work for had a great year, but the bottom line wasn’t as good as owners had hoped.
A business colleague of mine – who has owned a business for nearly 15 years – is unable to give a financial bonus during the holiday season. However, he offers is employees other benefits during the holidays. These include extra paid days off, shorter days (to allow for last minute shopping) and a nice holiday staff lunch at a local restaurant.
He doesn’t have to do any of those things, but he realizes his staff has worked hard over the past year and he wants to show his appreciation in some way.
More on holiday bonuses in our next blog post!
