'I've been set up for failure': Boss informs overworked employee their annual bonus would be $0, insulted employee quits on the spot in response

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Mar 15, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

What is your stand on bonuses at work?

It can be quite tricky, having the idea of a bonus dangling over employees' heads as a way to keep them motivated to excel. On one hand, who would say no to extra cash every year, in exchange for doing their job properly? It is what it sounds like–a bonus, so why not take it?

On the other hand, since the bonus is conditioned, there is no actual guarantee you will get it, and that can cause the exact opposite effect of what it is meant to be doing, at least in the long run. If an employee works extremely hard all year, motivated by the bonus they are meant to be getting at the end of it, but then is told they are not getting the bonus at all, they will never be motivated to work hard again. The rest of their future in that company is most likely ruined, and their trust in their boss is completely lost.

Which is exactly what happened to the employee in the story below.

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  • This employee was already with one foot out of the door when it was time to discuss their yearly bonus. They even had another job lined up, all they were waiting for was the bonus they worked so hard for, and then they could leave that company on good terms.

    Except when they sat down to discuss the bonus with their boss, this overworked employee was told they would not be getting a bonus at all.

    Safe to say, they didn't stick around long after that, keep scrolling to read the full reaction.

  • 01
    "Hang on a moment, I'm sending you my notice"
    via Alena Shekhovtsova

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "Turned in Notice after boss gave me a $0 bonus"

    I've been having issues with my boss since I asked for a raise last year. Since then I have felt set up for failure on multiple projects I've worked on. Projects that I was
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 03
    assigned to solo have had the goalposts changed and due dates changed somewhat arbitrarily. Every time I would present the results I would be told to add or change
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 04
    something and told that it was close, but not finished. Projects I was assigned to with others, their effort on the project would be praised and I would be an afterthought. Even on projects where I took
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 05
    on a majority of responsibilities, other employees were singled out for praise. Well, I've been applying for other jobs for the past several
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 06
    months and got an offer last month. They wanted to me start earlier, but I asked if they could push my start date until after my current employers bonuses were paid out. I
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 07
    worked there all of last year, I should at least get the bonus, right? Well, today I had the meeting with my manager to discuss salary and the bonus payout
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 08
    and (as the title says) I received a $0 bonus. I was also informed that my performance review was "needs improvement." I should mention here that my
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 09
    boss is notoriously awful at getting us our performance reviews. My mid-year review which should have been completed in July wasn't completed until November.
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 10
    Upon learning that the bonus. was $0 I was struck silent. My boss asked me if I had any questions and I just said, "I'm shocked I'm not receiving a bonus. I'm honestly insulted.
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 11
    This is a slap in the face and it's so insulting." I then shared a few additional thoughts. "I've been disrespected so much this past year. I've been set up for failure, the
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 12
    problems you've had with me have been manufactured or exaggerated. Hang on a moment because I need to send you an email." I then opened up the word document with the notice
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 13
    letter I had written earlier today and said, "I'm sending you my notice. Next Friday will be my last day of employment. I can't work here any more."
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 14
    I know my boss was probably thrilled with this as I've felt like much of the past year has been organized around pushing me out, but they were definitely caught off guard at the immediacy of my
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 15
    resignation. I'm pied I didn't get the bonus but I'm honestly so thrilled that I was able to quit in response to the most recent insult. I start the new job in a couple weeks
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 16
    and even though the pay isn't that much better the company is better, the job is better, and there's more room for upward mobility.
    via S**MachineMMA
  • 17
    Essence Reavers Why not just scroll Reddit at work and get paid until he fires you?
    via EssenceReavers
  • 18
    Forymanarysanar Honestly, I'd just walk out of the building that same moment I hear $0 bonus and disappear without a trace. Honestly you should contact your new place and tell them
    via Forymanarysanar
  • 19
    that you have already settled everything at your old work and ready to begin working immediately. Wait too long and another candidate will take your place.
    via Forymanarysanar
  • 20
    yazid 7801 You should have used up all your sick time first, then submit a resignation letter.
    via yazid7801
  • 21
    Cheezburger Image 10479258880
    via ngampolthongsai

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 22
    inputwtf Good for you. You stood up for yourself, and I hope that you got some catharsis out of it. Good luck in the new job
    via inputwt*
  • 23
    TechnicalCattle Remember to absolutely, positively refuse to provide ANY prior knowledge, or training on anything specific that might assist your
    via TechnicalCattle
  • 24
    remaining team members. I mean, how useful or reliable could any info from such an inadequate employee possibly be anyway?
    via TechnicalCattle
  • 25
    Plane-Pain-6678 If you have any PTO, use it up in the next two weeks.
    via Plane-Pain-6678
  • 26
    Maxwell Perkins088 Why the notice when they'd never rehire you. I only do that to maintain a bridge or a good reputation, these people bash you to your face. Take a short vacation before your next gig.
    via Maxwell_Perkins088
  • 27
    StormRage85 You've got more patience than I have. Not sure I'd have been able to stop myself walking out of work there and then, especially if I already a job to go to. Well done getting out of there!
    via StormRage85
  • 28
    Beenrealfun Sometimes you need to burn the bridge and p on the ashes. My friend, now is that sometime. Good luck.
    via Beenrealfun
  • 29
    Obxyz Your boss definitely wanted you to quit
    via 0bxyz
  • 30
    baachou The pay isn't much better but it's still better. And you get to reroll bosses. That sounds like a win-win.
    via baachou

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boss workplace-stories employee bonus manager job tales-from-the-workplace reddit story ceo overworked-employees workplace Reddit company money quitting
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