Tis the season for holiday bonuses! But not all Christmas bonuses are created equal. Here are some heartwarming, head-scratching, and downright disappointing bonus tales from the corporate world:
1. The Charitable Gesture Backfires
At one hospital, employees received gift certificates for a free turkey as their Christmas bonus. Many decided to donate these to homeless shelters, but when management got wind of it, they canceled all future bonuses, leaving a bitter taste in the staff’s mouths.
2. Paychecks in Fancy Envelopes
A company owner tried to impress clients by giving employees their paychecks in fancy envelopes during the Christmas party. It was a facade to make it seem like bonuses were being distributed. Needless to say, this didn’t go over well.
3. “Be Happy You Have a Job”
Some employers opt for the brutally honest approach, telling employees, “Be happy you have a job” instead of offering a bonus. While transparency is appreciated, it’s not the most morale-boosting message.
4. A Donation in Your Name…to Themselves
Imagine receiving a letter stating that your company has made a donation in your name, only to discover they donated to themselves. Working for a non-profit doesn’t exempt you from corporate irony!
5. The Disastrous Christmas Dinner
One supermarket thought it’d be a nice gesture to host a Christmas dinner for staff in their cafeteria. However, they abruptly canceled the third sitting, leaving employees like Dan, who came in on his day off, without food. The management enjoyed their dinner while the staff watched hungrily.
6. The Missing Christmas Bonus
One employee at a profit-sharing company was accidentally skipped when bonus gift cards were handed out. When they expressed their disappointment and eventually decided to leave the company, their boss failed to understand the significance of the Christmas bonus.
7. The Elusive Christmas Bonus
For some, the Christmas bonus is a mythical creature that they’ve never encountered in their professional lives. It remains a mystery, leaving them wondering what it’s like to receive one.
8. The Strange Array of Gifts
Some companies get creative with their Christmas bonuses, resulting in an odd assortment of gifts. From corporate-branded candy to a fake gold foil Trump $100 bill, employees are sometimes left scratching their heads.
9. The Baffling Butterball Turkey Check
Working at a hotel, employees received a check from Butterball for $10 as their Christmas bonus. Confusion ensued when they tried to redeem it, leading to the mysterious case of the Butterball turkey check.
10. The Humble Five Pounds
In the UK civil service, employees were offered a whopping five English pounds as a Christmas bonus. They could either accept it, contributing it to the Christmas party fund, or decline it and skip the festivities. Plus, they had to bring their own booze to the party. Cheers!
While some Christmas bonuses warm the heart and bring joy to employees, others leave them scratching their heads or feeling unappreciated. The holiday season is a time for giving, but it seems that not all employers got the memo. Regardless of the bonus you receive, remember that the spirit of the season is about more than just monetary rewards.