Boss tries to stall and not pay after tricking employee to agree to a bonus instead of a raise: 'I agreed to no salary increase, in exchange for receiving a large bonus in late summer'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 11, 2024 10:00 AM EDT

There's an age-old saying that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, meaning that a guaranteed value will always hold more value than the prospect of something greater.

This, too, is true when it comes to employment. The fact of any trade in capital is that the person buying will always want to pay as little as possible, and the person selling will always want the highest possible price for their goods. While this is simple economics, it really just speaks to how the monkey part of our primitive brain seeks to hang on to every possible ounce of resource. It's a bit like your dog does when he gets a hold of something he thinks is particularly nice to have…

Just like you'll have hard luck convincing a dog to give you some of his dinner, you'll always struggle to get more money from your employer. So, when you're selling your time to them, the same is true as above: While you want more pay in return for your time, they always want to pay less—or stall out paying more as long as possible. Because, in most cases, the reality is that you're going to keep working for them in the meantime, regardless of whether you actually get that raise, so if they hold out on paying you more for that time, that's cash in hand for them and back into their pocket.

This worker encountered an unfortunate situation when they agreed to accept a bonus instead of a pay raise. Their boss continually tried to get out of the arrangement and push it out for as long as possible. Frustrated, they shared their experience with this online community, sparking discussion on the subject.

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    via Tim Gouw

    *Photo representative, not of actual subjects

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    Posted by u/HitMe BabyOne MoreWine 8 hours ago My boss is trying to delay giving me the bonus we agreed upon in May. TL:DR In Spring, boss agreed to give me a large bonus in late summer rather than giving a salary increase. Now is using delay tactics to not pay out. This Spring I had a discussion with my boss and our office manager present about getting a raise. I had been working at the office for over 2 years and never had an official review or bump in salary but I have excelled in my
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    position, and it was acknowledged by my boss. Instead of giving a salary increase, my boss suggested giving me the money as a lump sum bonus at the end of summer. He said, "it'll be better, that way you get all the money at once." I recently discussed w/the office manager getting my lump sum bonus paid out, just for her to tell me the boss wants to wait a little bit until one case I've been working on closes and use that money to pay my bonus. My issue
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    is that we had an agreement. I agreed to no salary increase, in exchange for receiving a large bonus in late summer (end of July/August) and was told "Just tell the office manager when it's time and she'll write the check." We also recently received a huge payout from another case that closed. I have a strong feeling the boss is just trying to me over and when the case I'm working on closes, he'll have another excuse for delay. And now I'm wondering if I should just look for a new job with a hig
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    LOGIReaper 7 hr. ago Always get it in writing, if they do you over, make your effort match your wages and start job searching HitMeBabyOne MoreWine OP. 7 hr. ago Hindsight was I should have gotten it in writing. He had been a trustworthy guy up until this.
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    Stolen Wishes · 5 hr. ago now I'm wondering if I should just look for a new job with a higher salary. Yes, you should. chrisb8346 5 hr. ago Watch how quickly that bonus suddenly appears once they put in their two weeks HitMeBabyOne MoreWine OP 3 hr. ago Ya, this is my exact thought.
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    alexanderpas 5 hr. ago I recently discussed w/the office manager getting my lump sum bonus paid out, just for her to tell me the boss wants to wait a little bit until one case I've been working on closes and use that money to pay my bonus. This is indicative of bigger problems, most likely your employer has liquidity problems, and is potentially going bankrupt.
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    KetoLurkerHere .5 hr. ago Sounds like it's a law office? Never, ever, ever trust anyone in a law office. Everyone is either playing 3D chess or they're the ones being played. Everyone. And bonuses like that are ☐. They don't apply to your yearly wage so it for raises. you up
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    mikemojc 4 hr. ago "This is what was agreed to. Let's honor that agreement, then see what options are available. It's time to pay me."
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine
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    mikemojc 4 hr. ago "This is what was agreed to. Let's honor that agreement, then see what options are available. It's time to pay me."
    via u/HitMeBabyOneMoreWine

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employment job jobs Horrible Bosses work workplace antiwork workplace-stories employment-discussion workplace discussion employment issues in the workplace
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