[p]

Hello users,
I work for a small local firm with around 50 employees. I’d like to solicit your feedback on what your firms do for bonuses every year. My firm is currently rethinking their structuring and the partners are open to hearing proposals from staff, so I’m attempting to see what’s currently “out there” – no need to identify yourself or your firm.

Does your firm do an annual bonus, or is it somehow built-in (in addition to) the “normal” pay raise?
What are these annual bonuses based on? (all “numbers” goals? soft goals? some sort of split? Totally discretionary?)
If you don’t get the “maximum” of the potential bonus or don’t get what you were anticipating, do you get an explanation from the decision-makers or is no explanation given and “it is what it is”?

Thanks so much for your input!!!

[mad max]

From my experience, the lower the level of your position, the less it is tied to company earnings/your personal performance.

Also,

Almost always these bonuses will state that they are not guaranteed. If an employer is stipulating a 10% bonus and the terminology worries you, ask them what percentage of their target bonuses they paid out for the last year.

10% Bonus seems fairly standard.

[TommyTheCat]

10% of annual salary is the bonus potential for each staff, 15% for seniors, 20% for management here at my firm. On top of that promotions and bonuses for merit or performance above and beyond the afore-mentioned 10/15/20.

[Ana]

My firm had a secret bonus plan. For over 20 years it was a well kept secret. Then a mix-up happened, a staff auditor with a very similar name to a Manager got the bonus. Not knowing it was a secret, he started tell everyone he got a bonus. Many many people were PO'd, one person even quit. People that never knew about the bonus program were mad, people that didn't get one without an explanation were mad, etc. It harbored resentment and employees didn't like that there seemed to be so many secrets regarding what should be a non-issue. My point is if a firm can be transparent as possible, I know there are limitations, then it'll be beneficial.

[mad max]

@Ana, what you said is pretty disgusting… I don't think I'd ever stand for it.

Also, Employees have every right to discuss their compensation with one another.

[Author]

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