'My mid-year review which should have been completed in July wasn't completed until November': Boss gives $0 bonus to employee after they find a new job, boss claims they 'need improvement'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Mar 18, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

The state of work has changed a lot in the past decade. Remember when someone would stay at the same company for 40 years? Or when many women stayed at home because their husbands were able to provide for their families on one salary? Or when you had to commute to an office every single day of the week because there was no other way to do your job? Those days seem to be far gone. In some ways, it's for the better. Everyone has more freedom to work on their schedule, more people have the opportunity to follow their dream career paths, and they're making work work for them instead of the other way around.

But modern solutions have also created modern… problems. Sometimes workplaces don't respect the worker as they should. They see where they can take advantage and they take it. Like in this story, where a boss' disrespect came at a price.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10481500672
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • We all hope to be told we're doing a good job. Even better if we're paid for it. But this employee was denied the bonus they were entitled to once they had another job lined up. So they took to the internet for advice, and other workers came through to give it. 

  • 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 assigned to solo have had the goalposts changed and due dates
    via u/S**MachineMMA
  • 03
    time I would present the results I would be told to add or change 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 on a majority of responsibilities, other employees were singled out for praise.
    via u/S**MachineMMA
  • 04
    Well, I've been applying for other jobs for the past several 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 worked there all of last year, I should at least get the bonus, right?
    via u/S**MachineMMA
  • 05
    Well, today I had the meeting with my manager to discuss salary and the bonus payout 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 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 u/S**MachineMMA
  • 06
    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. 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
    via u/S**MachineMMA
  • 07
    for failure, the 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 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 u/S**MachineMMA
  • 08
    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 resignation. I'm p ed 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 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 u/S**MachineMMA
  • 09
    Updates: I spoke to several colleagues and I am the only employee to receive no bonus this year. Everyone else received full bonus. Also, I was given paid leave from the company through the end of next week (my date resignation). 1.5 weeks paid without having to work - some consolation.
    via u/S**MachineMMA
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10481500928
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • 11

    Other workers chimed in

    Forymanarysanar . 6d ago 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 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 u/Forymanarysanar
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    • TechnicalCattle 6d ago Remember to absolutely, positively refuse to provide ANY prior knowledge, or training on anything specific that might assist your remaining team members. I mean, how useful or reliable could any info from such an inadequate employee possibly be anyway?
    via u/TechnicalCattle
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    yazid7801 6d ago You should have used up all your sick time first, then submit a resignation letter.
    via u/yazid7801
  • 14
    Essence Reavers . 6d ago Why not just scroll Reddit at work and get paid until he fires you?
    via u/EssenceReavers
  • 15
    inputwtf • 6d ago 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 u/inputwtf
  • 16
    Plane-Pain-6678 • 6d ago If you have any PTO, use it up in the next two weeks.
    via u/Plane-Pain-6678
  • 17
    LifeRo... • 6d ago Edited 6d ago . . Why not go collect your things and walk out right then and there?
    via u/LifeRound2
  • 18
    Maxwell Perkins088 • 6d ago 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 u/Maxwell_Perkins088
  • 19
    agent_smith_3012 · 6d ago • This is now the era of NO TWO WEEK NOTICE! They would never extend such a curtesy to us. Why tf would we still be doing this contrived bs?
    via u/agent_smith_3012
  • 20
    ThatMovieShow 6d ago This reminds me of a job I had. It was a factory job and every year the owner would gather us all to tell us what our pay rise would be. On this particular year he gleefully told us we would be getting 12p more (about 9c for the Americans reading) laughing in disbelief I said "12p an hour? I'm looking forward to spending that"
    via u/ThatMovieShow
  • 21
    At which point the owner stopped and said "no I didn't say 12p per hour...that's per annum" About 40% of his workforce quit on the spot
    via u/ThatMovieShow
  • 22
    stevebo0124 6d ago . Use all your PTO and then stop showing up. You owe them nothing. Take a vacation and relax.
    via u/stevebo0124
  • 23
    Z_is_green13 . 5d ago Why would you stay? They told you that you were worth $0. Treat them the same. Burning bridges is a lie when you realize most people in corporate America are also faceless drones with no upward potential.
    via u/Z_is_green13
  • 24
    Jassida 5d ago • Be sure to email your boss's bosses to document what happened. You never know, it could cause them issues. This would be constructive dismissal in a civilised part of the world
    via u/Jassida

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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