Lead engineer gets convinced by manager to give up $5000 bonus for intern bonuses, has second thoughts when other team lead receives bonus: 'I'm sure the CEO will know about this'

In most jobs, it isn't wise to make a sacrifice unless there is an obvious reward for it.

Many managers or HR departments will be more than happy to convince their employees that if they just offer to do that unpaid overtime or ignore the fact that they haven't had a pay rise for the past 3 years, they will feel totally fulfilled by the warm and fuzzy feeling of having done a good deed by contributing to the well-being of the company. Make no mistake, most businesses are interested in taking as much labor as they can from their employees, and little else.

Still, it is not uncommon for well-meaning or just plain stressed workers to take on such responsibilities when those above them request it. They can be under the impression that they will be rewarded for it later, or be afraid that they will face negative consequences if they don't agree. Either way, it can be unwise to say yes, as there is every chance that what starts out as a one-time thing quickly becomes a requirement of the role that they did not ask for. It is an easy way to make the demands of working worse than they have to be, and we all know that most workplaces do not need any help with that.

via Chris Benson

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In particular, it is important to be careful any time these kinds of issues involve money. A lot of employers will use whatever tactic necessary to justify paying employees less, and getting them to agree to it is just the icing on the cake.
An engineering lead was approached by his office manager and asked to forego his usual bonus so they could afford to give a bonus to the newer engineers and interns. This was justified as a necessary sacrifice that would be looked upon favorably by the CEO of the company.
Although he felt pressured, the employee agreed to give up the extra $5k for the sake of his subordinates. However, another team lead told him that he had made a foolish decision, and that the company could have afforded to give a bonus to the entire team.
Friend gave up his bonus to help new hires get their bonuses. Unselfish or dumb move?

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