Categories
Antiwork

Be careful before you give two weeks notice if you get a yearly bonus. A warning story.

Around 20 years ago I worked at a non-profit. Salary was far below market rate, but at the end of the year we got a small bonus, which was nice. I started in October, and even though I was only there for 2 months I got a small bonus the first year. Fast forward to next December. I get a job offer of 2x the salary, gave them two weeks notice. A couple days later I see the chief executive going around handing out bonus checks. He walks right by my office without saying a word. Apparently I wasn't getting a bonus, and they “forgot” to tell me as well. Fast forward to my exit interview. I explained the situation and goes like this: HR: Since you didn't finish the entire year you don't get a bonus. Me: If I didn't give two weeks notice I would have gotten a…


Around 20 years ago I worked at a non-profit. Salary was far below market rate, but at the end of the year we got a small bonus, which was nice. I started in October, and even though I was only there for 2 months I got a small bonus the first year.

Fast forward to next December. I get a job offer of 2x the salary, gave them two weeks notice. A couple days later I see the chief executive going around handing out bonus checks. He walks right by my office without saying a word. Apparently I wasn't getting a bonus, and they “forgot” to tell me as well.

Fast forward to my exit interview. I explained the situation and goes like this:

HR: Since you didn't finish the entire year you don't get a bonus.

Me: If I didn't give two weeks notice I would have gotten a bonus?

HR: I suppose… But it's customary and professional to give two weeks notice.

Me: Do you realize you're encouraging people to quit without notice? I told everyone here what happened so don't expect anyone to give two weeks notice if it's around bonus time.

The look on his face was mortifying, he never expected that I would tell all the other employees how they screwed me over.

I did the “right” thing and got screwed, don't be me. Lesson here, giving notice isn't always worth it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.