Does your company provide a holiday bonus/party?

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isobar
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Does your company provide a holiday bonus/party?

#1 Postby isobar » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:48 pm

I'm a stay at home mom, but my husband's company does not give end of year bonuses or provide any funds for a party. Since he's the office manager, we feel the employees deserve to feel appreciated after working hard all year. So we're having a party for everyone at our house this weekend, providing food, buying gifts, etc. We do it every year because we want to, but this year we've taken a steep pay cut due to corporate merger and a brand new suckie pay plan. Some of his employees make more than twice as much as he does, and he works twice as hard. It's frustrating.

Sorry but I just needed to vent for a minute. I feel better now. I'm not going to let anything "steal my joy" this Christmas. (to borrow a Joyce Meyer theme :D)

Just wondering if your company is showing their appreciation to you this year. I know smaller businesses struggle daily to stay afloat, but I think large, publicly traded corporations should dust the cobwebs from their pockets once a year.
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#2 Postby sunny » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:52 pm

The staff here get a nice size gift card to Dillards. Each year we have our "holiday luncheon", which is always nice, and then they give us the rest of the day off with pay.
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#3 Postby vbhoutex » Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:58 pm

Couldn't agree with you more about the big corps.

I haven't been here at Christmas yet, but in the past they have provided bonuses and we are definitely having a company catered Christmas party and gift exchange. A bonus would be great, but I don't allow myself to depend on that for funds. We also get the rest of the day off.

We also have the week after Christmas off and must use vacation days for 3 of the days that they don't cover.
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#4 Postby alicia-w » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:01 pm

Not only do we not get a bonus, the President says he doesnt want us to have the approved 3.5% raise either.... :-(


it's like he's saying:
thanks for your vote but this is what we think of your efforts in the war on terrorism.....
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#5 Postby JenBayles » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:03 pm

We actually get a pretty good bonus at the end of the year; however, our regular salaries are not that great. Frankly, I'd prefer to give up the bonus for a higher salary.

As for a Christmas party, well, yes and no. This company is an engineering firm and relies heavily on contract labor. Contractors are not included in any company-sponsored activity. REALLY sh*tty attitude to have with half of your workforce. I don't know any other business that treats their contractors so shabbily. And no, I'm not a contractor!
:lol:
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#6 Postby streetsoldier » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:06 pm

Ah, the ghost of the evil Roman centurion "Crismus Bonus" rears its head once again... :larrow:

Debi isn't expecting one, either...but we did get an oil royalty check this month. :D
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#7 Postby j » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:32 pm

We have a party ..oficially starts around noon this thursday on the premises. Food, beer and wine...they have these family feud game things going on. I think they have a DJ...door prizes. That's about it...OH....and we get a gift card to BiLo's for $25.

Now my wife...she has the party! The doctors alternate each year hosting the party at their house, and this year is the fun doctor. He has a pool table so j is happy to go. Plus...they give her a check equal to close to 2 weeks pay, and one of the Doctor's wife buys all the girls a nice gift...usually some expensive X-mas type figurines.

This year...her party is the same day (at night)
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#8 Postby CaptinCrunch » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:53 pm

BOTH!! :D
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#9 Postby Skywatch_NC » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:54 pm

When I worked for a paper shopping bag and gift wrap company in se NY state...each year the employees were given a turkey at Thanksgiving and then at Christmas a choice of a turkey OR a Hickory Farms gift set which had some cheddar cheese, beef stick, and some candy. :D

At Christmas I'd always choose a Hickory Farms set! :)

Eric 8-)
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#10 Postby azskyman » Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:55 pm

We're having a Christmas luncheon on Tuesday the 14th. Since we had a pretty good year this time around, our division is presenting lunch and laughs and Christmas music to the 70 people who work full or part time at our facility.

In years gone by, the company provided two-week's salary to every employee at the Christmas luncheon. That has been gone for four years...but is remembered fondly by some longtimers.

I will say, however, that we have done well in bringing salaries up for those who are committed, loyal, and hard-working. We ask a lot of them (nights, weekends, holidays, and more), but they do appreciate the opportunity to earn more in doing so.

Higher pay is a direct result of doing away with the bonuses. It is also a direct result of their efforts and the record year we've had as a result.

As their immediate boss..I'd love to do more, but I am glad we can do this much.

Got a sincere thank you and "I never really expected THIS" today from an employee who worked her way to a 13% raise.

Her smile, hard work, and thank you means a lot to me at Christmas too.

Merry Christmas boss!
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One reason Christmas parties don't happen... :)

#11 Postby Persepone » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:58 pm

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 1

RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on
December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House.
There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing
traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO
shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00pm.
Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time, however, no gift
should be over £4.99 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets.
This gathering is only for employees! A special announcement will be made by
our CEO at that time! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Patty

_____________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2

RE: Holiday Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We
recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas,
though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday
Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians or
those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree present. No
Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment. Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Patty
_____________________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3

RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking
table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a
table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle
this? Somebody ... ? Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the union
members feel that £4.99 is too much money and executives believe £4.99 is a little chintzy.

NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Patty

_______________________________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: December 7

RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,
which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party. Seriously, we can appreciate
how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill
House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take
it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers
to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.
Homosexuals are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their
own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the men's table. To the person asking permission to cross
dress, no cross dressing allowed though. We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be
available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with
high-blood pressure to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply
"No Sugar" desserts. Sorry! Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty

______________________________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All F***ing Employees
DATE: December 10

RE: The F***ing Holiday Party

Vegetarians?!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at the Steak House whether
you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it,
and you'll get your f***ing salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too.
They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'M HEARING THEM SCREAM RIGHT NOW!
I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hear me!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!

The B*tch from H.ELL!!!!!!!!

_______________________________________________________________________________

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14

RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to
her. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of
23 December off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

Joan Bishop
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#12 Postby Ixolib » Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:02 pm

$50 gift card to Wal-mart, Turkey or Spiral Ham for T-Giving, free Christmas Holiday Ball, Associate Appreciation Luncheon, Childrens Christmas Party. And this for 2,200 employees just at OUR property. Have two others of comparable size within 15 miles of here and they get the same! All-in-all, not a bad company to work for!! Of course for the executives, I'm sure the bonus is pretty sweet!!
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#13 Postby Brent » Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:04 pm

My dad gets a big bonus. :)
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#14 Postby SouthernWx » Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:20 pm

I only remember attending two work related Christmas parties/ luncheons in my life....one in 1978 (the asst. principal at the high school where I worked took all the custodians and security personnel to dinner), the other when I was employed by EDS in 1995.

As for bonuses....on a few occasions, we'd recieve a small Christmas bonus....$10 or 20, and that hasn't happened in several years.

The Christmas "bonuses" I remember and treasure most were those given to me by individuals....such as the wonderful young secretary who baked me a cake one Christmas that I provided security at Ira Hardin Co. I wasn't expecting it, and was very humbled when she gave it to me as she left on Christmas Eve...gift wrapped, addressed to Lt. Perry Williams. She was just one of those wonderful ladies who strives to make everyone's holidays special....even the "then" young, courteous night security officer who escorted her safely to her vehicle when she worked late. :)
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#15 Postby coriolis » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:16 am

We have a party in January after the rush.

Bonus depends on company profits. We had a good year so there will be something this year. But it's not a "bonus" - it an "incentive plan payment." Good thing it's based on the numbers up till the end of November, because I'm working on a project now that is seriously plunging into the red.
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#16 Postby HurricaneGirl » Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:35 am

We should be getting our bonuses end of this week or early part of next week. Every year our company has a Christmas luncheon at Timuquana Country Club. They close the office at 11:30 and we have drinks and hor's duevres, then a luncheon that usually consists of filet minon with bernaise sauce, shrimp kabobs, asparagus and some kind of whipped potatoes...That's what we had last year. YUM!! :D They call it the Annual Profit Sharing Luncheon.
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Miss Mary

#17 Postby Miss Mary » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:15 am

Donna - I hear ya! Stay at home mom too and my husband's company doesn't give out bonuses. They receive a food basket every C. Eve day, after the luncheon. So that's nice. It contains a honey baked ham, enough fixings for a complete meal. Coffee, chocolates, jams, jellies.

But overall, I've noticed a definite decline in work related parties and/or gifts from clients. When I began dating Jim, I'd pop over his condo in December. He'd offer me a drink and snack, opening up his fridge - amidst the usual beer selections, were Hickory Farms' types cheeses/salami's/sausages, then crackers to go with them. Assorted fruits, nuts, too! Was there nary an egg in that fridge? Oh no, not even milk! I used to tease him but it was fun trying out the different fancy foods. Then a company he's dealt business with would give him a hand crafted wood item each xmas. We have about 7 - ham board, 2 crockery dip holders on wood platters, a fish (we put smoked salmon or sardines in it for parties), cutting board, etc. I always receive the nicest compliments on these wood serving pieces. Now I see them at places such as Crate & Barrel (one of my favorite stores!) or Pier 1. They compliment my pottery pieces I think. Anywho about 5 or 8 years ago, these gifts began dwindling off. Used to be from Dec. 5 until about the 20th, he'd walk in nightly with a new gift. The girls would even get excited.

Seems across the board, big or small, companies have really scaled down.

Mary
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#18 Postby HurricaneGirl » Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:00 am

I am so lucky and grateful for the way the company I work for treats us. My husband doesn't get ANYTHING from his. :roll:
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#19 Postby isobar » Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:58 am

ROFL, Persepone! :lol:
Yep, political correctness - another sign of the times.
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chadtm80

#20 Postby chadtm80 » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:01 pm

They usually have a Luncheon.. But they are not this year.. Im in the process of finding out why as we speak.. I think we have someone who was "offended" by such a thing.. :roll: :roll: :roll:
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