re: Update: Christmas Bonuses

quote:

---

I'd take the hit this year, then roll out clearly defined metrics for bonus payout. Test these against previous years, to get an idea of where the payout would fall. Tweak accordingly.

---

This. At least for your employees of two years or more.

And better yet. Come up with the metric now (if you can) to show them “this is what your bonus would be under the new metric, but we are committed to rewarding you as we have been this year, even though we didn’t meet our goals”. Or something along those lines.

Not only will this set the record straight for next year, but it earns you some loyalty and possibly even some motivation into next year.

quote:

---

We've had 2-3 very recent and the rest scattered through the year. In the past, 1st year employees received a small bonus ($500) so scaling back on the new employees wouldn't free up too much money.

---

You say it won’t make a difference, but if the newbies don’t get a bonus. They’re new. The newer ones didn’t get much last year so you don’t need to raise them, and can possibly not give them any if they only for a few bucks the year prior.

Take care of your people that have stuck with you.