I manage 15 engineers. 2 aren't getting bonuses this year and they know why...

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Jan 25, 2023
4:16:22pm

Bee Chunder Contributor

I manage 15 engineers. 2 aren't getting bonuses this year and they know why...

If you are not getting a bonus and everyone else is, and your boss has not told you why, that is on the boss. You should know. I would ask your boss directly at your next appropriate touch point "what can I do to get a similar bonus next year?". At least you will know if it is the extra hours or some other expectation.

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Bee Chunder

Previous username: BrianR
Bio page: Bee Chunder
Joined: Jan 22, 2014
Last login: May 3, 2024
Total posts: 688 (3 FO)

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Messages

Author

Time

I’m having a work problem.

conetah

1/24/23 11:52pm

I have no idea. I am one of the other three

Archaea

1/24/23 11:54pm

Call cousin Eddie.

777

1/24/23 11:58pm

RE: Call cousin Eddie.

icecougar

1/25/23 10:41am

Bosses hate the constant “why guy”. Sometimes it’s nice to just have someone who

macdizzle

1/25/23 12:00am

I got that impression clearly today ha.

conetah

1/25/23 12:02am

Good managers wouldn't complain about that IMO.

1/25/23 12:03am

They won’t complain about it, but they won’t give bonuses for it either.

macdizzle

1/25/23 12:05am

I’m thick. Are you referring to me or my boss?

conetah

1/25/23 12:09am

Your boss.

1/25/23 5:22am

I HATE arbitrary deadlines.

Senora Featherbottom

1/25/23 12:15am

Sure but has the deadline ever changed after asking? Because if not then it just

palangi

1/25/23 8:03am

For sure, if you do it right.

Senora Featherbottom

1/25/23 8:34am

And there is almost never a good reason behind it, which is why the boss doesn't

Mitty

1/25/23 9:54am

Agreed. It’s also reasonable for the boss to be annoyed by it and dole out bonuses accordingly.

CrimWalCoug

1/25/23 4:09pm

I’m gonna guess it’s not just about asking for the reason behind deadlines, but because the other managers…

OPINIONS

1/25/23 12:02am

Quit.

Ten_Hour_Drives

1/25/23 12:03am

It all comes down to leverage and alternative options.

1/25/23 12:03am

Quitting:

conetah

1/25/23 12:12am

I disagree. It sounds like you need to have a radically candid conversation.

FatThor

1/25/23 6:31am

If the constant asking of why is because the manager is always dropping things at the last minute then it is unfair…

Tokolosh

1/25/23 7:11am

Perhaps, but that is why a conversation is needed.

FatThor

1/25/23 7:37am

This is great advice & thanks for the book recommendation, I’m going to read it.

brazilcoug

1/25/23 7:43am

It sounds like a reasonable trade off. If the hours you gained by not working

1/25/23 12:03am

Work-like balance doesn't have to mean that every day (or even every week) has

garyfan

1/25/23 12:11am

You could estimate whether the bonus makes up for the extra hours

Great38

1/25/23 12:16am

I don’t think a 50 hr work week is excessive if you are in a bonus eligible

Thrill

1/25/23 12:23am

In some ways - it may even be an acceptable tradeoff.

Eddie

1/25/23 12:30am

I will be honest as a manager that would annoy me.

cougarfann888

1/25/23 12:25am

Corporate America loves to preach work/life balance but at the end of the day, they want a work/work balance

TADOW

1/25/23 12:26am

Sure. But being an entrepreneur and small business owner demands just as much,

brazilcoug

1/25/23 5:17am

Exactly. I’ve had someone (a mother with college age kids) tell me “powerbait,

Powerbait DPM

1/25/23 5:36am

I agree with this. I worked at a company that preached work/life balance, and I

Boredname Checks Out

1/25/23 5:53am

Managers often exploit the fact that people don't like to move.

Mises

1/25/23 7:50am

Military is the exact same way

MojosDojo

1/25/23 6:09am

I have employees that work 40 hours and employees that work 70 hours a week

MyTwoCents

1/25/23 8:41am

My two cents is that is a you problem for setting those expectations

semicool

1/25/23 9:04am

sounds like he's counting hours spent and not actual productivity. Which is

Mayor of Cougartown

1/25/23 10:34am

You can rest assured I know the difference between 40 hours of hard work,

MyTwoCents

1/25/23 2:52pm

<< Deleted >>

The_ATL

1/25/23 10:39am

I've known guys/girls who come in at 6. Make coffee, eat breakfast, take a walk

Mayor of Cougartown

1/25/23 10:43am

To be fair, if you're not pooping on the clock, you're doing it wrong

Great38

1/25/23 10:54am

correct. My point is they come in at 6 and don't do a lick of work till everyone

Mayor of Cougartown

1/25/23 10:57am

I had a co-worker who sat in the bathroom 5 hours a day

porcupinetree

1/27/23 12:47pm

So glad I left it.

TailgateU

1/25/23 11:35am

Americans preach wanna-work-a-little-but-get-paid-a-lot. Unfortunately,

canofpicante

1/25/23 5:20pm

When they ask for biggest weakness I always would say work life balance

Bobmarleyjr

1/25/23 1:35am

If you don’t mind not getting bonuses, keep your current set of priorities.

PhilPete

1/25/23 4:20am

Isn’t the point of a bonus to reward people who go above and beyond?

ldssdl

1/25/23 4:39am

It's unfortunate sometimes, but some bonuses are for going above and beyond. It

vagabonder

1/25/23 4:42am

Taking a somewhat more cynical view, they may have not given bonuses to some people as a way to see if they can make

Mike Honcho

1/25/23 5:10am

Interesting perspective. I think there is some truth here.

conetah

1/25/23 7:17am

I think you need to look back at how the program is structured to understand this slight properly…

Tokolosh

1/25/23 5:33am

I'm with you. If the deadlines are arbitrary, work/life balance etc..if

semicool

1/25/23 5:35am

I’ve had lots of deadlines in my career

RiseUp

1/25/23 5:48am

It wasn’t like this until about 6 months ago when the company entered fire drill

conetah

1/25/23 7:44am

How your boss interacts with her boss probably reflects how she expects you to

ldssdl

1/25/23 8:17am

Likely.

conetah

1/25/23 8:57am

You have a bad manager. Not necessarily because of the bonus but this line:

MGM

1/25/23 5:51am

Also, receiving a bonus shouldn't be arbitrary or surprising - requirements need

MGM

1/25/23 5:57am

<< Deleted >>

The_ATL

1/25/23 10:44am

Dude, employees aren't children.

MGM

1/25/23 2:36pm

And bosses should not be jerks

semicool

1/25/23 2:42pm

My opinion is that when you question the urgency and deadline, you are questioning your manager’s ability to make those

Rhino84

1/25/23 5:52am

My main concern is that if they decided they had one too many employees, you

Fdnman

1/25/23 6:15am

For sure, not getting a bonus is a strong signal - I would be looking

MGM

1/25/23 6:17am

It's the little people...like you who make a difference.

coolblue

1/25/23 6:19am

Did you at least get to spend some time with your son?

Florwood

1/25/23 6:20am

Consistent fires is a sign of poor planning on her part. Sounds like a poor boss

1/25/23 7:15am

Or department / boss’s boss / company…

NYC and Japan

1/25/23 7:28am

You have a good head on your shoulders.

VenomFarmer

1/25/23 7:21am

Just reference how much is the average bonus? Would it have been significant

PKCoug

1/25/23 7:35am

I hate it when subordinates question me. Just do what I say. You make my life

flyzag

1/25/23 7:41am

I wouldn't want to work for you

porcupinetree

1/25/23 10:03am

If a manager can't properly explain the reasons

porcupinetree

1/25/23 10:05am

99% of the time it comes from above.

flyzag

1/25/23 10:26am

Perhaps you could shift your inquiries to simple: "how hard is that deadline?"

Mises

1/25/23 7:45am

Good idea.

conetah

1/25/23 7:59am

I wouldn’t do this. Clarification from time to time is fine but the optics are

FatThor

1/25/23 8:05am

My go to now is to not ask. With that said, if I feel the absolute need to ask,

conetah

1/25/23 8:58am

It’s a signal they are not pleased with your performance. All other same level

TeeKaa

1/25/23 8:07am

And if this isn't the case, your manager isn't smart.

1/25/23 10:41am

Do you get paid for the work you do complete? For the hours you work? Are you

King of Y

1/25/23 8:34am

If you are hourly, then you a properly remunerated for your time. Salaried

King of Y

1/25/23 12:18pm

Conversations like this are the best part of CB. Great discussion

ssa

1/25/23 8:42am

Agreed. Lots of knowledge and good, unbiased, thoughts on the thread.

conetah

1/25/23 10:53am

I know this isn’t a decision to be taken lightly but I found it’s time to

Your Royal Blueness

1/25/23 8:59am

I agree. I have owned my own business for 5 years. I can’t imagine ever working

King of Y

1/25/23 11:25am

Rule #1 of bonuses. Never count on getting a bonus.

Broda

1/25/23 9:31am

I learned this lesson the hard way, when I was in my young career and planned

flyzag

1/25/23 9:48am

I made down-payment on a large in-ground pool for my family for Christmas.

Great38

1/25/23 10:36am

I think I know you... Do you have the big Christmas light display every year?

flyzag

1/25/23 10:38am

Your manager sounds like an entitled moron that plays office politics. Good luck

Mitty

1/25/23 9:51am

Is there a red stapler on your desk?

niqmadu

1/25/23 11:31am

My recommendation...

Hill4Heisman

1/25/23 11:55am

Good advice. This is the way. And I agree with others, no bonus means first on

The_Cuss

1/25/23 12:08pm

I manage 15 engineers. 2 aren't getting bonuses this year and they know why...

Bee Chunder

1/25/23 4:16pm

meant for OP 🙁

Bee Chunder

1/25/23 4:16pm

When doing the prioritization exercise, phrasing is important.

DirtyWater

1/25/23 11:29pm

You shouldn't question why every time, but if she can't be bothered to share a

OldFogey

1/25/23 12:13pm

Bonus

rickybobby

1/25/23 12:31pm

I will say that a bonus requirements should be defined explicitly even if some

semicool

1/25/23 2:19pm

RE: I will say that a bonus requirements should be defined explicitly even if

rickybobby

1/26/23 12:41pm

I received valuable wisdom from a friend. He is an academic that at the time was

TailgateU

1/25/23 1:15pm

My kids ask me the "why" behind things all the time. If I don't have a legit

semicool

1/25/23 2:44pm

I just say "I'm the dad and don't have to explain why". I'm so tough

OldFogey

1/25/23 3:35pm

I'll take a stab at my version of the advice. I've seen a lot.

DirtyWater

1/25/23 3:37pm

And thus the "no bonus" signal.

TeeKaa

1/25/23 4:47pm

This right here needs to be in some Workforce brochure and for anyone

Your Royal Blueness

1/25/23 5:11pm

True, and few people will accept it though because

stoils

1/25/23 5:43pm

You have communication issues at work. I’d recommend the following:

canofpicante

1/25/23 5:41pm

This all turns on whether it's a buyer's market or a seller's market.

1/25/23 8:40pm

Companies only go above and beyond when they absolutely have to

porcupinetree

1/27/23 10:21am

You are absolutely right. 100%. Companies are in the business of maximizing

flyzag

1/27/23 10:36am

That makes sense, unfortunately. I'll keep that in mind the next time my

semicool

1/27/23 12:01pm

That's why I never feel bad for leaving a company for greener pastures

porcupinetree

1/27/23 12:20pm

Companies do not fire at the drop of a hat

stoils

1/27/23 1:09pm

Uh, I have 25 years of professional experience. Yes they do.

porcupinetree

1/27/23 2:17pm

Introspection and self awareness might be worthwhile in this situation

stoils

1/27/23 2:27pm

Some do actually care about their employees, many don't

semicool

1/27/23 3:32pm

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