Bonus/Increase Season - How has COVID affected you?

[TofuMofu]

Lucky sods. My company retrenched 90% of the infrastructure teams, opened a branch in India, replaced all the positions at a fraction of thr cost, and didn't give us bonuses or increases because they pocketed the change.

Smells illegal...

 

[maumau]

We have a real beauty....

COVID has been a glorious gift from the gods to our narcissistic managing director.

Small company with 15 staff. First thing he did was put everyone on 75% salaries - it might be permanent.

Second thing he tried with all his might to cancel our pension and/or medical aid benefits but met with too much resistance and he would lose out too so that idea is on hold for the moment.

Then he made arrangements to retrench 2 x packers (already on 75% pay) but the female staff were in tears and we all contributed to make up their full salaries last month. We insisted on a staff meeting and persuaded him to keep them on. Pointed out that arriving at work in a R1M car doesn't help. Nor does it help to send the driver to do his daily grocery shopping - spending R300 a day at WW doesn't convince staff company profits are down.

In the history of the company nobody has ever retired. The place is like Hotel California and nobody ever leaves but ..... boss asked a founding member and his wife to retire (they're old and non productive so this is a good thing) but he's offered a R1M package Said director has been with the company 40 years and current salary' s about R80k p.m. his wife earns R50k p.m. before deductions. Negotiations are ongoing.

He told us in the meeting he doesn't like giving increases because they can never be undone. He prefers to give an annual bonus if/when the company can afford it WTAF?????

So no, no increase but R5K (five thousand rand) xmas bonus.

However - I still have a job that I enjoy.

 

[Sparkz0629]

Smells illegal...

Agreed. The reason for retrenchment to happen is because you either dont need the role any more or you cannot afford the role anymore.
There are laws around the fact you cannot put someone in a retrenched role within a set time (I think 12 months)

 

[Keegan89]

Wife and I both got 13th Cheque (both part of our packages).
She got 2% and I got 0%.

Fun time. Waiting for that Discovery increase half way through the year. Not looking good!

 

[RandomGeek]

No increase, no bonus, but got through the 189 unscathed. Working from home mostly I do have some savings related to petrol and wear and tear on the car though

 

[The Voice]

Smells illegal...

Isn't in a pandemic, apparently.

 

[TofuMofu]

Isn't in a pandemic, apparently.

Hmm, I'm sure there must be some laws against that even in a pandemic...doesn't sound fair to anyone that was retrenched.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

Get a guaranteed 13th cheque although it's part of my CoE so not really a bonus I guess.

 

[Jase]

Working hours: Doubled
Stress levels: Tripled
Salary: Lost an allowance so a small drop in pay
Increase: Nothing yet
Bonus: What's that?

But the transferrable skills that I have picked up the last few months will hopefully open a door or two down the line (Within the same company or elsewhere).

 

[Lukcydog]

Our business unit had an exceptional year in 2020. Only BU in the company that achieved bonus target. Company globally set 0% increases. Saved my bonus as my "increase" for 2021...

 

[HibiscusTunes]

3.4% increase due to my hard work and dedication!

 

[Jehosefat]

We only find out in June but the company's results are 25-30% down on the previous year so I'm not super hopeful.

 

[Mojo32]

So my boss fought for a bonus for me. I got a pro rata one as I've only been with the company for 4 months. It's not being paid with my salary but as an adhoc payment. Question will i be taxed more or less since I didn't get it with my March salary?

 

[PsYTraNc3]

Some big promises were made recently.
After getting no increase last year, I was promised a decent one this year + a salary adjustment due to increased workload and stress.
New CEO about 2 years into his position and definitely showed good leadership during COVID.

 

[Meister-Man]

No annual increase, no bonus, but the directors declared themselves a nice fat dividend.

 

[Jehosefat]

So my boss fought for a bonus for me. I got a pro rata one as I've only been with the company for 4 months. It's not being paid with my salary but as an adhoc payment. Question will i be taxed more or less since I didn't get it with my March salary?

Tax will be the same as it is based on total earnings during the year regardless of when they are paid.

 

[Athos]

No bonus, small increase last year (miracles do happen), lucky to have a job.

*head down* grind, grind, grind.

 

[blaaislaai]

Had no increase last year, but got a bonus.
No mention of bonus/increases this year yet, only in June.

 

[Sparkz0629]

We only find out in June but the company's results are 25-30% down on the previous year so I'm not super hopeful.

Our division was down 72% YoY...
The entire company was down 60%.

 

[GrootVoet]

No one lost jobs at the company I work for.
No pay increase.
75% bonus for which I'm thankful.