Christmas bonus

[jason_ladouceur]

I know it may seem a little petty in a time when so many people would be happy to just have a job at all but I received my Christmas bonus today and to be honest I’m pissed off. Over the last 2 years my responsibilities have almost doubled at work and because like so many company’s we have been slower than in past years I have not asked for a raise. I care about my company and break my back every day to make sure that we do well. I in fact twisted my back on Wednesday morning an so I worked hurt for the last 2 days with no complaints. Not very pleasant ever but when you run a cabinet shop and spend your day lifting heavy things it’s downright hell. Last year I had a conversation with my boss and he in fact told me that he knows that I’m worth more to the company than I’m being paid and that he wanted me to know that I would be taken care of as soon as he could. Today he took the employees out for our annual Christmas lunch to a very nice restaurant, very nice of him I must admit. Then after lunch he asked if I would drop him off at a shop to get his truck. His brand new $80k truck that was having a custom stereo installed. When I dropped him off he shook my hand said he hoped I had a very nice holiday and handed me an envelope. I said have a nice holiday and I’ll see you in the new year and went on my way. After, when I opened the envelope there was a card and a check, my Christmas bonus. Very nice, except it was far less than half of what I received last year. I took the disappointing kick in the teeth of a bonus to the bank, cashed it and went shopping hoping to find at least some nice gift for my wife that would fit into my now lower than expected budget. I hate 2011! My beloved dog and constant companion of almost 16 years passed away, my wife’s mom from who she was estranged died before they could make peace or even say goodbye, my wife’s contract at work is not going to be extended as she expected it to be and my Christmas bonus might have just as well been a subscription to the jelly of the month club. I tell you this though. As much as I love my job come January I will be having a conversation with my boss, and he will be either giving me a significant raise or he will be trying to find another trained CNC operator that also happens to be a journey man cabinet maker that is willing to work for $10 an hour less than industry standard. Good luck!

[mr.spooky]

just be happy your not in the good ole U.S of A... youd be gettin less than that. no raises in 4 years. our all mighty leader gave tax breaks just in time for insurance to go up.... i make less now than i did when i started my job. atleast i got one.
spooky

[jason_ladouceur]

just be happy your not in the good ole U.S of A... youd be gettin less than that.
spooky

very true. of course i wouldn't pay 45% income tax, or have to spend $500000 on a 1500 square foot piece of crap house with no yard either.

[Mike41793]

I understand your frustrations man. My company established a "wage freeze" 6 days before i would have been eligible for my 1 year raise. Im putting myself through school, yet still working 32hrs+ a week and covering shifts pretty much whenever asked yet I got a slap in the face. But since then more responsibilty has been given that my boss considers "part of the job". My company doesn't even give christmas bonuses lol. I read in Money Magazine that if you have been with a company and they havent offered you a raise in 2 years then you should talk to your boss about one or look for another job. I hope you get your situation worked, good luck.

[Mike41793]

Wow I didnt even realize you were from Canada lol. My work got raises the year before I started there though spooky?

[mr.spooky]

very true. of course i wouldn't pay 45% income tax, or have to spend $500000 on a 1500 square foot piece of crap house with no yard either.

wait,,, , is that 1/2 mil U.S $ on a 1500 sq. ft house?

[mr.spooky]

Wow I didnt even realize you were from Canada lol. My work got raises the year before I started there though spooky?

im not in canada... and i work for the state of georiga.
spooky

[Mike41793]

No the first sentence was directed towards the OP. The second was directed towards you but i misunderstood what you had said, sorry for the cofusion! :/

[mastaxaph]

egh. complain i wish i could for mypoopy raises but i cant. presisent wins and a poopy 1.4% raise is.. pathetic for all the hours i work.

[mr.spooky]

spooky