Dear Jobs Guru: ‘I can’t afford a merry Christmas if my annual bonus is cancelled’
Reader Tom has come to rely on his annual festive bonus – but with the big day getting closer, he’s developed a sinking feeling. Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice
Question:
Dear James,
I love my job – I’m a motor mechanic at a busy garage – but the pay isn’t brilliant. I’m on just over £27,000 a year, which is about enough to keep me going.
Every year I look forward to our Christmas bonus, which means I can afford to spend a bit more and enjoy myself over the festive period.
This year though it’s not been mentioned. I am a bit concerned as we’re almost at Christmas now and I have already planned for it.
How can I politely ask if we will be getting a bonus this year? And do I have any legal rights as it’s been an annual payment for years?
Tom, Lincoln
Answer:
I can definitely put myself in your shoes, Tom. However, I must point out that a bonus, at any time of the year, is just that – it’s a bonus!
It is not normally, unless specified in your contract of employment, a legal entitlement, an automatic right or a guaranteed payment.
So it’s definitely not something you should risk banking on, or you could find making ends meet without it rather difficult! And making ends meet at Christmas is often difficult enough anyway.
As it’s still only early December, there may still be time for that Christmas bonus to appear. However, I see no harm in you trying to find an appropriate time to have a quick chat with your boss and asking whether a bonus will be forthcoming or not.
Be prepared that you might need to argue your case and explain why, in your mind, a bonus is justified. Give this some serious thought.
I would be very wary of pushing too hard, because it might just permanently sour your relationship with your employer. But it would be unreasonable of them to not at least hear you out as to why you feel they should be giving you a bonus. Good luck!
Top Tip:
You might possibly have noticed there is quite a lot of economic uncertainty at the moment… Do try to demonstrate some empathy for your boss. They might be more focused on saving your job than dishing out bonuses!
Spotlight On: ‘Implied terms’
Tom does also ask whether he might have any legal rights as regards his bonus – and yes, actually, he might…
‘Implied terms’ are terms of your contract of employment which are not actually written down in the contract. Sounds a little weird?! Let me explain, because it could be very important to you.
Essentially, there are certain conditions which are basically taken for granted – like your employer having to provide a safe place of work, or your undertaking not to steal their stationery!
But much more important, to you at least, are those terms which are deemed to be implied through ‘custom and practice’. This means things which have been automatically received over a significant period of time and are, therefore, expected – and a prime example is a Christmas bonus!
It’s up to you whether you want to threaten your employer with legal action, though. It’s not generally something I would recommend.
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .
Get a head start on your dream career with James’ new book The Job You’ve Always Wanted (£16.99), out now from Pearson.
