'I should have known it was too good to be true': Accounting department employee pranks coworkers with fake bonuses, employees realize it's a joke after a week of waiting for direct deposits

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Jun 29, 2024 12:00 PM EDT

Naturally, being told you're receiving a bonus at work is extremely exciting. Anytime you are gifted money for recognition of your hard work and dedication, it is a pleasant surprise and a cause for celebration. But after reading this story, you might want to wait to for physical evidence of that bonus before you go off celebrating and spending it all. This employee from the accounting department decided to play a cruel joke on his coworkers by informing them that they were receiving holiday bonuses. The OP (original poster) claims he had worked at the company for two years and had never received a bonus, so immediately, he was thrilled and told his partner about it. He admits in hindsight, he should have known it was too too to be true. After waiting a week to see the direct deposit of the bonus into his account, nothing happened. He decided to give the accounting department a call to check on the status, and well, you know what happens from there. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01
    r/antiwork ⚫7 hr. ago fulcrumm Thought I Got a Holiday Bonus, Turns Out It Was Just a Joke
    via u/fuIcrumm
  • 02
    Last week, when I received my paycheck, there was an additional envelope tucked beside it. The guy from the accounting department told me with a straight face it contained a holiday bonus. Naturally, I was thrilled and immediately texted my girlfriend.
    via u/fuIcrumm
  • 03
    Without much consideration, I rushed home, eagerly tore open the envelope, and only glanced at the check's amount, not giving it much thought. Fast forward to today, a week later, and I'm still waiting for that bonus to appear in my
    via u/fuIcrumm
  • 04
    direct deposit. I reached out to the head of our accounting department, only to discover they had no knowledge of any bonus. It turns out, the person distributing the checks had made a "joke," and the extra envelope contained my previous pay stub.
    via u/fuIcrumm
  • 05
    I guess it kind of is my fault for not thoroughly checking, but it still is an incredibly feeling. I should have known it was too good to be true considering I have been here for two years and we have never received a bonus. Fortunately, I hadn't spent any of the anticipated bonus yet.
    via u/fuIcrumm
  • 06
    ExplorerEducational4 • • 19h ago Edited 15h ago Hi, accountant here wildly inappropriate. - You don't joke about anyone's money. Two ways to play this Report them to their boss, and go to HR and: - 1. Go play dumb, ask where your bonus is because accountant said there would be one and gave you a stub. Let them make accountant explain why they did that, why it is a "joke" to make promises of bonuses on behalf of the business.
    via u/ExplorerEducational4
  • 07
    Or 2. Go in not playing dumb, tell them what accountant did and that you don't think the joke is appropriate. Maybe a line about that it reflects poorly on the company when their accountant toys with employee paychecks, and you're concerned about the accuracy of your payroll going forward.
    via u/ExplorerEducational4
  • 08
    20 1LJA . 21h ago Wow! They'll be really impressed by your "disappearing trick."
    via u/1LJA
  • 09
    Asher-D 20h ago . Thats not a joke...Id report that and for future. ref, I wouldnt believe that unless you heard it from your boss and they better never be making those "jokes".
    via u/Asher-D
  • 10
    KidenStormsoarer 18h ago nope, that's promissory estoppel. that employee, acting in his official role on behalf of the company, informed you that you were receiving a bonus, that the paper inside that envelope contained the amount of said bonus, and you made plans based on having that amount available, which you have now had to cancel. bring that phrase up, you're gonna make people reeeaaaaal nervous
    via u/KidenStormsoarer
  • 11
    Tweeks Turbos 19h ago "Buy pizza"for them one day but make sure the boxes are empty.
    via u/TweeksTurbos
  • 12
    Joey_BagaDonuts57 18h ago I fail to see the humor in this. All I see is an inhuman idiot working in accounting.
    via u/Joey_BagaDonuts57
  • 13
    00 Jaydamic • 17h ago Man, that . 25+ years ago, I worked on commissioned retail sales. I got to work one afternoon and my colleague told me a customer of mine came in earlier and made a huge sale and I'm sitting on hundreds in commission! I will never forget how bad I felt when I found out he around. Even now I'd like to rearrange his was face.
    via u/Jaydamic
  • 14
    the_wookie_of_maine • 17h ago my employer attempted to motivate me by saying failure to do xxxx may result in no pay or a delay in payment. It motivated me to look for a new job and cut back on my work quality. Changed my status on the job boards + reached out to friends to change jobs. messing with pay is a no no.
    via u/the_wookie_of_maine
  • 15
    MissSara 13 • 18h ago Payroll lady here: any shenanigans involving employee pay can destroy morale and trust in an employer. Your suggestions are great! I hope the "funny" accountant is disciplined. You just don't with people's livelihoods.
    via u/MissSara13
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10366587904
    via Andrea Piacquadio

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

boss antiwork workplace-stories employee bonus job bosses work coworkers mildly infuriating paycheck reddit thread Reddit company in the workplace
Scroll Down For The Next Article