<p>I work for myself so no bonus. Don’t know about husband yet. But my son did get a bonus which shocked me – one of a few employees in his company who actually got a larger bonus this year than last, and it was a significant one. The company laid off a significant percentage of employees this year and scaled back on office space so I was feeling that he was fortunate just to have the job. I’m basically relieved because I guess it means his job is pretty secure for now – he kept telling me it was but now I believe it more.</p>
<p>Just got mine 
8% bonus check, and even better, a 6.25% raise for 2009. I’m thrilled, as this is my very first merit bonus and raise. It is nice to be appreciated (and employed in an industry that is still doing well in this economy).</p>
<p>DH changed jobs a few months ago. He doesn’t expect a bonus at all this year. I’m a teacher. I’m grateful to our PTO for giving me $50 to spend on items to use with my students.</p>
<p>Wow, I feel extra blessed - our PTO give us $100 at the first of the year to equip our rooms.</p>
<p>Now that I’ve received the bonus check, I’m inclined to shoot off a short thank you email to our company president. What’s the correct business protocol (this being my first ever bonus check)? Our company has two offices in different states/major cities; 25 employees in my office/35 in the “home” office; president works out of the home office, but comes to our office every other week for management meetings. The offices/.company are fairly informal. I’ve been with the company for 10 months.</p>
<p>My husband says no thank you is necessary: that the bonus is their thank you to me. But I see it as a sharing of the profits and totally at the discretion of the president. Thoughts? I don’t want to look inexperienced and I also don’t want to appear ungrateful, especially in this economy.</p>
<p>Archiemom…Exactly what kind of industry is doing well in this economy? IMO, bonuses are different than profit-sharing. Bonuses are discretionary so thank you notes would be in order. Profit-sharing, at least at H’s company, is a set formula and part of everyone’s compensation package. He’s never felt the need to thank anyone for it, but now in hindsight, maybe he should have.</p>
<p><<exactly what=“” kind=“” of=“” industry=“” is=“” doing=“” well=“” in=“” this=“” economy=“”>></exactly></p>
<p>defense contractors (and their subcontractors)? I work for the Dod and I know we are giving alot of companies alot of money. Federal employees get no bonus and are still waiting to hear about our 2009 pay raise (I think I get a within grade step increase in early 2009 so I will at least get that ‘raise’)</p>
<p>Toledo (love the name…been to both versions, in Ohio and Spain): Without giving too much personal info away, I work for a firm heavily involved in both construction and move management. When companies and institutions aren’t expanding and building, they are consolidating and renovating. And when the private sector is pulling back, healthcare and higher education institutions seem to be growing. Fingers crossed for the coming year.</p>
<p>archiemom, as an owner of a small company, I would appreciate it if an employee wrote me a short note. I’m not actually that good at figuring out what to say but a note might say something like, “I just wanted to express my appreciation for the bonus check that arrived last week. I am glad to be working at a company that has a strategy to weather the storms in a rough economy and whose management understands the importance of recognizing the contributions of its employees. Thanks.”</p>
<p>My firm so far has done very well in 2008 and our professional employees are compensated with large bonuses (could be as much as 3 or 4 times base salary) which they will get. My partner and I get what’s left over, some in the form of a bonus and some in profit. So, we’ll be getting a bonus. For 2009, we have not lost any existing clients (yet) and have added new ones but have had two prospective clients decide they didn’t want to begin the projects in light of the tough economy (one firm) and 10% staff cuts (the other). We’ve had a couple of prospective clients also postpone work. Like archiemom’s firm, our business shifts in a weaker economy and we get different kinds of projects and it may not grow but the business may not decline.</p>
<p>^^I would make it a hand-written note… not email. :)</p>