Job Guilt Problem

[2planka]

I've been with my current firm for 4 years. The boss who hired me retired, new guy came in, and effectively squashed any advancement opportunity I have for the foreseeable future (he brought in one of his cronies for the role above me). I've been on a few interviews and am quite close to accepting a new position with another firm.

I get to work at 7:00 this morning and the boss is already here (he never arrives before 8:00). He takes me aside and hands me a large bonus check (unheard of at this firm unless you're a VP, which I am not). He says that I have been identified as one of the key contributors, blah, blah, and the board authorized the bonus for only a handful of employees.

My recruiter just called to tell me an offer letter from the new company is being fedexed to my house today.

So my question is, how long should I wait after depositing the bonus check to give my notice?

[bosoxfan]

8 seconds

[BoogerFace]

Wait until the check clears.

Congrats on your new offer.

[IndieMatty]

Is it a big firm? I mean, do you guys have a written policy. My company will be handing something out very soon, and we have a written policy of what is ours to keep even if we leave that day. If there is any risk of them trying to take back the bonus, then just say how you feel, and wish them the best.

Good luck on the new posit.

At my previous employer, everyone planning to quit (and there were always a lot who did this) did so in January. Because the Christmas bonuses were always good. To the company's credit, I've heard they still give good bonuses despite this. You shouldn't feel guilty about taking the bonus money.

Congratulations.

ScottieK

[wh1t3bread]

Sounds like your bonus was for a job well done, not a job yet to do. I'd say cash the check and be glad that you got some recognition. I wouldn't feel all that guilty about it.

[2planka]

Well, my thinking is that the bonus is for the work performed last year, so I have no problem keeping the scratch. I'll look into an official policy though. Good idea

[4_2_it]

Use the bonus check to jack up your new job's salary. You should have your recruiter go to bat for you here, that's what they get those sick commissions for.

[sfer]

On Wall St it's common to quit your job immediately after your annual bonus hits your account.

[Dominic]

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like your bonus was for a job well done, not a job yet to do. I'd say cash the check and be glad that you got some recognition. I wouldn't feel all that guilty about it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Excellent reply.

[jba]

who in your company is aware that you have been interviewing? any chance this is a preemptive measure?


oh and you are definitely under no obligation to keep working there.

[spsurfin_Michael]

Why not use this as an opportunity to discuss your future with this firm? They have in essence opened the door to re-negotiate your current job responsibilities, possible promotions, and salary considerations.

If you have been contributing to a 401k plan and the company has been matching, you may want to look into the vesting portion of the plan. Most companies require working a specific period of time to be vested—they prorate your vested portion.



[ QUOTE ]


He takes me aside and hands me a large bonus check (unheard of at this firm unless you're a VP, which I am not). He says that I have been identified as one of the key contributors, blah, blah, and the board authorized the bonus for only a handful of employees.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Voltron87]

I think the comparisons to wall street are a little off, at those firms most people get a bonus of some size during an annual bonus period, whereas in kilgores case bonuses are not regular for people like him and it is not something which is expected or part of standard practice.

thats a nit point though, kilgore you can leave as soon as it hits your account. as people have said, its a bonus for what you have been doing for past work, not a contract for the next 2 years or whatever.

[2planka]

More props for OOT (4_2_it in particular): I called the recruiter and told him about it. He's going to convey the info to the new outfit, since he believes my current compensation was understated during the interview process, given the recent bonus. Who knows, perhaps this will lead to more scratch for the Trout household.

OOT ROCKS!