Christmas Bonus

Micheal Wittman

Hey all,

I got my christams bonus today and only got a pathetic 20 euro gift voucher. The thing is I was entitled to 150 euro and am furious at how mean and selfish they could be.

To give u the backround information - I work in HMV. I started on the 5th of August, so I have been there over four months.....the girls who started the same night as me got 150. So you can see why Im angry and amazed how somebody could be that selfish and disgracefull to their emplyee.

Also there was a girl who started a month after me and she got the 150 euro too. In fact all the normal staff (except me) all got there bonus. I cant believe how the management could do this.

Only the christmas temps get a 20 euro gift voucher. In late september I told them how I had to cut back my hours for college. They agreed and said that they could only guarantee that I would be working there up too christmas. I didnt mind as I intended on leaving for Christams anyway. Even so regardless of technicalities - as a matter of principal and morals I have been there long enough and worked hard enough to get my full christams bonus. I cant believe how they could be this mean when I have worked so hard there.

I always arrived for work on time and always began early, mostly during my breaks as well (sometimes up to 15 mins). Also the other day I started my shift a half an hour early to help out at the tills (at no extra pay and of my own accord). Im a very nice guy and can only tell you that I'm a hard worker. Likewise I didnt want to go to the christamas party the other weekend because of work the following day. I feel really betrayed and walked on. To hand me that and expect me not to say anything is incredible. I just dont know wat to say to the store manager next time I see him?

They robbed me of bonus and treated me differently to all the other staff. I told it too some staff the other day and they couldnt belive how unfair and disgracefull they had been in handing me that. Im really really angry and feel incredibly used by the ppl I worked hard for :mad:

Also, everyweek they made me do a little bit of homework on a band and then they'd give me a "test" on them. (no one else had to do this). I always did great as well btw.


I feel like going in there and throwing the 20 euro gift voucher at him. Regardless of what happens I'm going to complain like mad next time I see him :mad:

But what do u all think of this? Is the law on my side the way I'm being discriminated against compared to the other staff members? I've been there the same amount of time. Also because I've been working there more than 3 months, shouldn't the law back me up ? (even so Its a matter of decency to give me the 150 - been there 4 months, worked hard etc).

I've been walked over all my life because I'm quiet and never complain - but this is too much....

jonny68

You should be thankful you still have a job mate i just got fcukin let go from my job a few weeks before xmas..heartless **** i hope they choke on their xmas dinner........ :mad:

Zaph

The law doesn't come into it - they don't have to give you anything. I know plenty of people who don't get a Christmas bonus of any kind and they've been in their jobs a lot longer than you.

FatherTed

Shut up and stop feeling sorry for yourself!

I think you've answered your own question. You only work part time and are going to leave shortly anyway. The others are probably full time and intend on staying. I don't know what your complaining about.

Which reminds me about one of my jobs when I got a Christmas bonus of about $3000 on a Friday morning, went to the bank at lunch time and cashed the check and handed in my notice at 3pm.

Lump

Maybe she sold more records then you.

John

Micheal Wittman

FatherTed wrote:

I think you've answered your own question. You only work part time and are going to leave shortly anyway. The others are probably full time and intend on staying. I don't know what your complaining about.
Shut up and stop feeling sorry for yourself!

I havent handed in my notice yet (But I will be now) Also they are part time just like me

Sarky

Feeling used by a large international chain of stores? The mind boggles!

Micheal Wittman

zaph wrote:

The law doesn't come into it - they don't have to give you anything. I know plenty of people who don't get a Christmas bonus of any kind and they've been in their jobs a lot longer than you.

What relevance do those ppl have to my situation in HMV?

Zaph

The relevance is that you're in a job for a few months to keep yourself in spending money while you're in college. They have been working for 15-20 years in more difficult and/or stressful jobs and are paying mortgages and raising families and yet I don't hear them whining about not getting a Christmas bonus. A bonus is just that, a bonus, not a divine right.

Flukey

You are not "entitled" to a bonus. It's a "bonus", something extra, purely at the discretion of the management and it is up to them what they give to who. So even if your colleagues got a new car, a two week all-expenses paid trip to the Caribbean for them and all their mates plus a million euro in cash and you got a stick to chewing gum, you'd have absolutely nothing to complain about. After all, you'd have got a free stick of chewing gum! So stop complaining or if you want to complain, find something real to complain about. Oh, Happy Christmas to you!

rymus

ohh boo hoo.. theres lots of people, including me, that dont get a christmas bonus at all....

consider yourself lucky you got anything more than a kick in the stones from such a large company.

Canis Lupus

I must be the only person to feel sorry for him.... Personally I reckon it sucks but the others are right... There ain't much u can do about it.

blobert

Perhaps you could steal me some music to get even?

Frank Drebin

You should count yourself lucky; I get a sad second-hand bottle of whine that's usually been given to the sales rep by a customer!

mad m

Flukey wrote:

You are not "entitled" to a bonus. It's a "bonus", something extra, purely at the discretion of the management and it is up to them what they give to who. So even if your colleagues got a new car, a two week all-expenses paid trip to the Caribbean for them and all their mates plus a million euro in cash and you got a stick to chewing gum, you'd have absolutely nothing to complain about. After all, you'd have got a free stick of chewing gum! So stop complaining or if you want to complain, find something real to complain about. Oh, Happy Christmas to you!

Jesus flukey he is only sounding out about what he thinks he is entitled too.its abit harsh your reply.Granted most work in a job were they dont get a penny as a bonus or even a pat on back to say well done thanks for helping out in the run up to christmas.Its a learning curve working for places like this,your just a number to them and thats it...When he leaves give it a few days and they will probably be saying "Oh whats his name".We've all have to start at bottom of ladder in crap non appreciated jobs.Well most are still in jobs like this and goodluck to them.Its not what you can do for your job these days it what your job can do for you....

bada_bing

some of us aren't as lucky to get just even one cent as a bonus for xmas which includes myself. seems to be happening more and more these days.

jonny68

Anyone got a job as from next Monday........

SantaHoe

Sarky wrote:

Feeling used by a large international chain of stores? The mind boggles!

You mean we're nothing more than a number to these greedy soulless corporations?
I'm hurt, I thought they loved me

Lump

Pfff I find out tomorrow about my job....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1001928,00.html

John

BuffyBot

If you complain like this in work, I'm surprised they gave you a whole 20 euro

samo

I feel a little sorry for you too as was in a similar situation a couple of years back where I was one of 3 people given nothing (i tell a lie I got a pen!) and the rest of the office got approx 100e as I was fairly senior there told the manager I was disgusted and that I would be looking for another job if they didnt value me in relation to the other employees who were given a bonus. Ended up getting a nice pay rise for my trouble so cost the more in the long run but at the time it is a real kick in the teeth especially if you are a good worker.

So you do have some sympathy off me although having said that as has been said there's a lot of people being let go this time of year so better to have a (albeit crap) job that none at all!

Moral of the story is dont expect much and you wont be dissapointed - very negative I know!

FranknFurter

iv learnt one thing from working in a large diy store....(b&q)...

the guy who quietly works his ass off, who gets personally requested by customers, is treated like krap.....

the mouthy scumbag who ignores customers, spends shifts gossiping to friends in aisles, moaning constantly about the company gets treated wonderfully......

makes no sense 2 me, but its true....then again maybe it does make sense...whos more likely to kick up a fuss if treated badly......

learn from it an move on...

dead air

Did you talk to your manager or supervisor about it? I mean if its like you say it is and other people who work the same hours and have a similar lenght of service are getting the full bonus, you should definitely bring it up with the manager there. It could be based on how many hours per week you work compared to other part timers.

In general, most employees for large organisations have to go through some sort of training or probationary period before the company will provide all the company benefits that employees are entitled to. This is usually six months and maybe that's another possibility. I don't know what the case is with HMV though.

ixoy

jonny68 wrote:

Anyone got a job as from next Monday........

Meh - meet you in the dole queue?

Sorry mate but not going to be crying for you - the only boost we got this Xmas was out the frakking door. Ho bleedin' ho.

(altho', we did get an old bonus...)

KdjaCL

Find out on thurs if i getting bulletted on 23rd or not.
Get 4 weeks wages bonus anyhoo next week.

You should kick up a fuss as 1 , your leaving , 2 you may get it.

kdjac

skywalker

Micheal Wittman wrote:

Also the other day I started my shift a half an hour early to help out at the tills (at no extra pay and of my own accord).

and just a tip for ya. dont do this in future as you clearly expect something extra for it. if they didnt ask you to do it and probly dont even know you did it then why would they recognise it.

Micheal Wittman wrote:

Also, everyweek they made me do a little bit of homework on a band and then they'd give me a "test" on them. (no one else had to do this). I always did great as well btw.

does this strike anyone else as strange?

ixoy

Maybe he's trying to teach you an important lesson. What does Jesus have to say about this sort of pay? Let's listen to the Parable of the Vineyard:

1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.

6"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'

7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'

8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'

9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

So you see, it's as Jesus would say. They're just generous and loving and you can't see it. Before you complain, always ALWAYS consider the lily.

woosaysdan

i know we should all bycott HMV until he gets his bonus!!! :rolleyes: so you didnt get as big a bonus as everyone eles!!! big deal at least you got something off them unlike most people here, me included who wont get a sausage!!! feel lucky that you got a sausage

Scruff

I thought a christmas bonus was an extra helping of plumb pudding.....

mmmm....plumb pudding...

][cEMAN**

If everyone else got a 150, and you got 20, that pretty much singles you out in the workplace amongst others doing, as you say, the exact same job and same hours.

Bonus is as mentioned, a bonus. Nothing oblidged to give, but in this instance wouldn't it seem that he has been singled out in the workplace and been made to feel inferior - and isn't that harrassment?

I could be wrong...

Say it to them. If you're quitting anyway it won't really make a difference will it? And you'll either quit, or get them sweating and possibly fork up a few extra quid to shut you up

ven0m

I don't even get a Christmas bonus where I work, so be thankful you even got that....


::: ven0mous :::

Da_cOmRaDe_MiKe

yeah some people work full time, for years and dont geta bonus... its life. deal with it.

D!ve^Bomb!

Micheal Wittman wrote:

Hey all,

I got my christams bonus today and only got a pathetic 20 euro gift voucher.....

it wouldn't happen to be a voucher for HMV??

I say just don't go back.. then over xmas they'll be pissed cos they won't have enough staff.. or go and get paid to work and give EVERYONE a discount. or 'accidentaly' charge everyone the sale costs.

so which HMV do you work at??

seamus

Some of us have real jobs and get nothing.

So pipe down, rubadub!

D!ve^Bomb!

seamus wrote:

Some of us have real jobs and get nothing.

So pipe down, rubadub!

Thats a little unfair now... i think the majority of boards users work in nice warm offices behind a desk on a comfy chair... like me:D

There's no way i'd work in HMV at this time of the year... I used to work for Burger King as a kiddie and i worked through 2 xmas's.. Its not that easy when you're surrounded by gobshítes who have just finished their shopping and have their whole ****ing family with them and because of that you can barely move through the place!!! those fúckers :mad: ..

Mossy Monk

bonus, what bonus

i should march straight to management now and demand one
he'll probably tell me to **** off so i wont bother

D!ve^Bomb!

yeah i don't get a bonus either.. BUT!! i think i'm getting a selection box so HAPPY FúCKIN DAYS:D

][cEMAN**

Oh yeah, I forgot to do a bit of self moaning like the rest of you as well.

*AHEM*

Bonus? What bonus? I didn't even get a cost of living increase for the last 3 years!! My bonus is still having my job come christmas!!

You youngens today and you're whole "I want I want I want attitude"......wasn't like that in my day....

Praetorian

The Christmas bonus is always a major point of contention in our office because people always chat about how much they get. It nearly caused a very serious argument last year at the Christmas party, so the bosses better tell people to keep their mouths shut or else.

Kêrmêttê

In my last job I used to work my azz off. I used to come in early, work late, on my own initiative and also when I was asked, just to get the work done. I was in a small company so I basically had to do all the sales invoices and admin attached to that alone.

I got no thanks and was heaped with even more work with no pay rise because they took it for granted that I'd just take the work and not cause a fuss.

The straw that broke the camels back was, the final Christmas I was there all us "minions" received €25 Dunnes Stores voucher while 5 managers got €1,000 in cash into their hands (one of which was only with the company 4 months - I was 7 yrs there), all on the quiet of course, we weren't supposed to know about it.

I was looking for a new job from the first week of January after the Christmas break!

The moral of the story is; the employer, director, owner, board of directors of a company doesn't give a damn about their employees or their happiness.
As long as the figures on the balance sheet at the end of the year look healthy, that's all that matters to them

I'm now in a job that doesn't have any sort of bonus scheme, but I am treated better and I'm happier than before. Quality of work life is more important to me than the goodies you "might" get at the end of the year tbh.

To the original poster. I wouldn't be too bothered about the bonus thing. You're just getting stressed about something that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Just learn from it and move on. Hopefully, you'll eventually end up in a job that you like and you'll be appreciated by your boss.

D!ve^Bomb!

to all the people that go to work early and leave late voluntarily... more fool you:rolleyes:

The_B_Man

to the original poster, can you elaborate on this "TEST" that the management gave you? i just find that a little strange if you were the only one getting it.

also......

Sleepy

Hey Michael, I'm one of the many other's here who doesn't get a bonus at all but I'm not bitter enough about it to begrudge someone else their due.

The problem you're facing is that due to the technicality of you only being guaranteed work til Christmas, you were moved into the role of Christmas Staff. It sucks alright but large companies run on technicalities. I know in the many various jobs I've had I've both benefitted and been screwed by them. What you gain on the swings you'll lose on the roundabouts. That's life I'm afraid.

Still, have a word with your manager and explain that you're not happy about it. There's no point in losing the rag cos all you do there is risk what should be a good reference when you leave.

Don't get disheartened and lose what seems like a great work ethic. You may not always get the credit your due for it but in general, it'll stand to you in life.

Canis Lupus

sound advice sleepy, imaginary +rep for u

Zaph

Something has just occurred to me. Where I work, and I've been there a long time so I've seen a lot of people come and go, the people who have usually complained most about being treated unfairly, about how they're such hard workers and aren't appreciated and about how others get preferential treatment over them, are generally the laziest, most useless malcontents in the company. I'm not saying the original poster is, but it's a possibility. We have only heard one side of the story.

About these tests, as a matter of interest. What are they on? Do the management perhaps think that your knowledge of music isn't all it should be, or is there some other reason for them?

nesf

zaph wrote:

Something has just occurred to me. Where I work, and I've been there a long time so I've seen a lot of people come and go, the people who have usually complained most about being treated unfairly, about how they're such hard workers and aren't appreciated and about how others get preferential treatment over them, are generally the laziest, most useless malcontents in the company.

I agree completely. I've done some stints in management, and it generally goes that the ones that complain the most about stuff like bonues and the like, tend to not be good workers. In fact mostly the more vocal ones tend to be people who don't appreciate anything they are given. That said, I've known good workers to complain at times, but usually over more important things, and not over 100 quid of a bonus.

My opinion mate, you're working part time, nearly every place I've done part time at, and alot of the places I've done full time at don't give bonuses at christmas. If you were singled out and given a lower bonus, there probably was a good reason for it. But I doubt that you were singled out, and it's more likely that all the Christmas workers got the same bonus, and the regular staff got a larger one.

As has been said many times above, nothing entitles anyone to a bonus, be happy when you get one, and don't complain if it's not as big as you'd like. There is nothing forcing the management to give you anything at christmas. Best off not to get upset about it and get along with your work.

Trojan

nesf wrote:

There is nothing forcing the management to give you anything at christmas

Except market forces

ur mentor

use your anger to set up in competition and close them down!

Mossy Monk

sound advice

nothing says **** you like a good dose of competition

ixoy

Kêrmêtt&#234 wrote: »

The moral of the story is; the employer, director, owner, board of directors of a company doesn't give a damn about their employees or their happiness. As long as the figures on the balance sheet at the end of the year look healthy, that's all that matters to them

*feeds you an imaginary apple* Well put. That's exactly all you are. In fact we were told as much this year - it's not personal, it's profit. They don't see you as rubadub the employee, they see you as Asset #245. It may seem personal but assets aren't persons, so it's not. C'est la vie (I foight like me da).

sceptre

ixoy wrote:

*feeds you an imaginary apple* Well put. That's exactly all you are. In fact we were told as much this year - it's not personal, it's profit. They don't see you as rubadub the employee, they see you as Asset #245. It may seem personal but assets aren't persons, so it's not. C'est la vie (I foight like me da).

Mmmm, reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon (can't find a link) where employees are rated the sixth most important asset.

The most important? These babies here

And from a cynic's point of view the only reason you're in a job is that they either haven't invented a machine to do it or the machine is too expensive to bother. Replace "cynic's" with "realist's" if you like.