New job and bonus from current job

Received a job offer and the hire date is for the first week of Jan, I usually give a 2 week notice but if I do, I would be out of a 5k bonus on dec23rd. So if I put in my notice the Tuesday after the holiday, that would be a 4 day notice. Ughh.. what would u guys do??

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kriscamaro68

In my opinion you get a bonus because you have already done a good job and this is just a way of saying thanks for all the hard work you have done so far. The question you have to ask yourself is do you feel comfortable taking the bonus knowing you will be quiting? Also can you not push your start date till the next week in Jan?

rizzo777

No, I already pushed out the date so I can get the bonus. I figured I worked there for the year so I should collect that first, if not I would be out of it. Very small company.

Forsaken_GA

Well, you're leaving the company.

And you're obviously uncomfortable with the fact that if you stay for the bonus, you'd be giving them short notice.

So the question is, how big is that level of discomfort? If you feel like you're taking the money and running, is that something that your conscience is good with?

My personal opinion - If I was leaving, and my bonus was at risk for admitting that, I'd give short notice. Unless the company culture specifically makes it known that the bonus is an investment in you as an employee, and not a reward for your performance over the past year, then I can't see that as stealing, the money was earned. The fact that I'd be leaving shortly after receiving it is unfortunate, but if the company wants more notice around bonus time, their policies should clearly reflect that the giving of notice will not effect your bonus check. Around here, bonus is paid out in April, and it's a widely accepted fact that there will be an abnormally high amount of resignations around that time.

But it's largely up to you, if you feel like you're being a thief, give them proper 2 weeks.

cyberguypr

Forsaken_GA wrote: »

Well, you're leaving the company.

And you're obviously uncomfortable with the fact that if you stay for the bonus, you'd be giving them short notice.

So the question is, how big is that level of discomfort? If you feel like you're taking the money and running, is that something that your conscience is good with?

My personal opinion - If I was leaving, and my bonus was at risk for admitting that, I'd give short notice. Unless the company culture specifically makes it known that the bonus is an investment in you as an employee, and not a reward for your performance over the past year, then I can't see that as stealing, the money was earned. The fact that I'd be leaving shortly after receiving it is unfortunate, but if the company wants more notice around bonus time, their policies should clearly reflect that the giving of notice will not effect your bonus check.

But it's largely up to you, if you feel like you're being a thief, give them proper 2 weeks.

Agree. Opinions may vary, so I'll give mine. For me bonuses are rewards based on stellar performance, saving the company money or going the extra-mile. I always receive bonuses at the end of a 1 year period. Because of this, If I were you I would be OK with taking the bonus and walking away. If you have been with the current company the whole year I see no problem. If you started in October, that's another story.

There are two scenarios where I would give less than 2 weeks notice. One, I am very upset and need to walk before I hurt someone (my last job). Two, strategic move, such as the one you may pull. Don't forget that is business, not personal.

rizzo777

Didn't mention why I'm leaving, they didn't give me the raise which was in the offer letter that was to be given after 6 months, its now 7 and heard nothing

powerfool

The issue of notice length was recently brought up on another thread...

Here are some things to consider:

1) Your current employer might escort you out immediately after turning in your notice, effectively diluting any notice you give. If you tell them two weeks, it doesn't matter. If you told them two hours, it doesn't matter.

2) You can always "call in" for the last part of your notice citing personal issues to which you must attend. They happen.

The other consideration is the way the hiring process works... do you really think that they will find a suitable replacement for you within two weeks? It is highly unlikely. That is the age-old reason for the notice... giving the employer the courtesy to find a replacement. With the number of candidates out there, it will take a while to sort through them all. Probably a two month ordeal, all told.

I have given a rather short notice in the past. Essentially, the boss kept going on vacation and I wanted to tell him when he returned as to not ruin it. Some silliness went down and I ended up giving the notice to his boss two days before he returned stating that I would only be able to give one day of my time after he returned to transition things over. Beyond that, I was going to be out the following three days regardless, due to a commitment I had on record for several months... of course, the silliness was over another commitment I had for several months and the bosses' boss was upset that I still kept it while my boss was on vacation... and decided to tear me up on it.

A bonus could be a big deal. One other situation you could float is to tell your new employer about the bonus and see if they will give you a matching sign on bonus to leave sooner... but you have already chewed through most of the time. If sign on bonuses because normal enough again, I would likely stay on a two-year cycle with jobs and just use my bonuses to pay down student loan debt and my mortgage.

powerfool

rizzo777 wrote: »

Didn't mention why I'm leaving, they didn't give me the raise which was in the offer letter that was to be given after 6 months, its now 7 and heard nothing

Hmm, but they gave you a bonus. I dunno, well... things happen. Since you are leaving because you are disgruntled, maybe you shouldn't care so much... of course, I have cared too much in the past too...

Forsaken_GA

rizzo777 wrote: »

Didn't mention why I'm leaving, they didn't give me the raise which was in the offer letter that was to be given after 6 months, its now 7 and heard nothing

The reason you're leaving has little relevance at this point. You searched for, applied for, and accepted another position. You're leaving. That's the only salient point. Keep that in mind.

Now, if you'd be willing to stay if they made good on that, it's a different story. And I hope you've actually talked to them about it instead of just waiting for them to remember about it. I would have done that before I started looking for another position.

Like I said, make a decision - can you live with giving them short notice after receiving your bonus? If so, then do it. If not, then don't. Decide for yourself what the right thing to do is, and then do it. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, or may think of you, listen to your own instincts and follow them, you'll be right far more often than you're wrong.

Heero

There is the risk of burning some bridges, but If you aren't too worried about that, I would stay for the 5k.

lsud00d

rizzo777 wrote: »

Received a job offer and the hire date is for the first week of Jan, I usually give a 2 week notice but if I do, I would be out of a 5k bonus on dec23rd. So if I put in my notice the Tuesday after the holiday, that would be a 4 day notice. Ughh.. what would u guys do??

Talk to Woody..

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sambuca69

A lot of the banks have "clawback" clauses now. Say you get a bonus, then resign a week afterwards, they let the lawyers run wild. You may want to check what policies are.

Am I understanding you correctly? You pushed off starting your new job, so you could get a bonus, and then plan to tell them you are resigning upon receipt of the bonus?

Mike-Mike

I say give the proper 2 weeks, if you get no bonus, you get no bonus.... that's life... but maybe they will be respectful about it and give you the money anyway

if you take the bonus, then bail 4 days later, you are going to burn a bridge big time

rwmidl

Just a thought - but would the company give you two weeks notice if they decided your services were no longer needed (I'm not talking getting fired, but laid off)? While I certainly understand being loyal to your company, how loyal are they to you?

Rappeller

Mike-Mike wrote: »

I say give the proper 2 weeks, if you get no bonus, you get no bonus.... that's life... but maybe they will be respectful about it and give you the money anyway

if you take the bonus, then bail 4 days later, you are going to burn a bridge big time

I agree. Even though the bonus would be nice, I think it would be better not to leave under circumstances that could make someone upset. Especially if the next job down the road decides to check your background, it would be better to leave on better terms. also as for leaving because you haven't gotten a raise that was promised, did you remind them about it? Small companies typically don't have automated systems that will change payroll automatically. Bottom line is to do what you fell comfortable doing, just think about possible consequences later.

rsutton

rizzo777 wrote: »

Ughh.. what would u guys do??

I would give the 4 day notice and walk out a happy camper.

jibbajabba

Make sure you know the small prints in your contract in regards to bonuses though .. Friend of mine pulled the same stunt and they demanded the money back and they were right .. He had to be a certain amount of time in the company AFTER he received the bonus ...

Again - every contract is different, just make sure you have covered all possibilities ...

Stuppored

I don't understand why we as the consumers who are always falling for corporate greed suddenly feel guilty to take on a bonus when you're working for one. Why is it exactly that you already know the value of your bonus? Is it perhaps something the execs discussed in a meeting regarding employee psychology to keep you longer? Lol if you're waiting for a 5k bonus, why haven't you already received it... I don't enjoy the corporate culture and the politics that follow.

I don't know how big or small your company is... but I know for a fact in bigger companies, there are all different types of people. They screw up big time. Their stories are heard for years. What are you doing wrong in taking what you deserved for whatever time/overtime you put into your work efforts. You know in order for them to extract that 5k for you, they choked it out of someone else... regardless of the industry I've only seen the money coming out of the consumer. I think it's a psychological advantage for them to be holding you out on a blasted bonus only to keep you there longer... almost like signing a contract to a mobile phone provider.

Does the new position offer "job security", benefits of equal or better value, better pay rate, more responsibilities that you are comfortable to take on, is it closer of a commute, what is the overall damage between the two companies... sit down and make a pro/con paper and weigh out the options seriously... in one instance you could 'burn a bridge' only to go to another company that might not really have the greener grass... I'm in that boat too worrying about the whole greener grass complex and whether or not it's worth the jump - and I have no bonus to look forward to.

Stuppored

Rappeller wrote: »

I agree. Even though the bonus would be nice, I think it would be better not to leave under circumstances that could make someone upset. Especially if the next job down the road decides to check your background, it would be better to leave on better terms. also as for leaving because you haven't gotten a raise that was promised, did you remind them about it? Small companies typically don't have automated systems that will change payroll automatically. Bottom line is to do what you fell comfortable doing, just think about possible consequences later.

The problem with that right there is two or more parties can see what happened. He'll feel bad that he walked away with nothing if he refuses it... while the company might not even be a great reference after he throws in the towel. Someone is watching the books, whether it being your boss going to his/her boss, of all the way up to your chief financial officer, someone is laughing that they saved money on him with him refusing the bonus. Others in the department may see it the same way. It's a catch 22... you might look like an idiot for not taking atleast a fair percentage of it.

The simple and easy way out if you truly feel guilty about it would be to walk away from the problem with no bonus at all. That would be lazy and irresponsible on your part and others will see it as that - I would.
If you continue feeling guilty, you should atleast negotiate an amount everyone can agree upon... if it happens to be 0 because your boss turns into a p****, atleast you gave an honest effort. If that turns to be the case, I'd eject myself from that company asap... could you really agree to having someone who isn't fair to ever be relied upon as a reference?

DO NOT MENTION YOU'RE LEAVING CAUSE OF THE RAISE THAT DIDNT HAPPEN. They should already know that, and if you mention it you look like a money grubbing w****.

I would give them two weeks and negotiate the bonus from there. If bonus was removed, walk out - they're telling you you're not valued.