High performing employee gets job offer, weighs up resigning the day he receives $10000 bonus: 'I earned that'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Feb 27, 2026 2:00 PM EST

Great employees are often looking for greener pastures.

Ambitious people frequently believe that the best way to succeed is to change jobs. In the working world that we deal with today, loyalty to one particular company is not necessarily going to bring the kind of rewards that will keep an industrious employee satisfied. In fact, there are industries in which it may be looked down on for somebody to stay in the same place too long. Putting feelers out can be a matter of professional integrity. 

Nonetheless, that doesn't always mean that leaving one role for another is easy. It takes patience and tact to ensure that everything goes smoothly. There are companies that will not let an employee go without a fight, and that may not hesitate to act against the interests of somebody who decides to leave them. 

On top of that, agreeing to a new job at a new place is always a risk. You are more likely to know where you stand in your current role, including whatever benefits it may entail. It is yet another factor that makes an often tricky decision even trickier. Change is especially difficult when your livelihood is on the line.

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    via Tahir osman (Unsplash+)

    One man shakes hands with another across a table with papers on it

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

  • In this story, an employee was offered a new job at another company with a fixed start date. This date was only a few days after performance bonuses were due to be paid at his current company, when he was due to receive a $10000 bonus.

    He was left with a dilemma, as he felt that he deserved the bonus, but worried about the repercussions of resigning on the day that he received it. HR policy did not state anything against doing this, but he was not sure if he would face consequences for it further down the line.

  • Should I resign on the day I get my bonus and give a one day notice?

    Hi everyone, I'd really appreciate some outside perspective on this. I was recently offered a new job and I'm scheduled to start on March 16.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • At my current company, performance bonuses are paid out on March 12. Based on my performance rating (I exceeded expectations), my payout would be close to $10,000.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • Here's the part that's making me anxious: 1. HR policy does not explicitly state that you must be employed on the payout date to receive the bonus.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • 2. The policy does say that variable pay is not guaranteed or promised. 3. I have not formally submitted my resignation yet.
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  • 4. If I wait until after March 12 to resign, I would only be giving a few days' notice.
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  • 5. If I resign earlier and give a traditional two weeks' notice, I very likely will lose the bonus.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • A businessman in a suit shakes hands with another person
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A businessman shakes hands with another person

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

  • My internal conflict: On one hand, I earned that bonus. I exceeded expectations and worked hard for it.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • $10K is significant, and it feels difficult to voluntarily walk away from that. On the other hand, I'm worried about possible reputational repercussions: There is one coworker who knows I'm leaving (an interviewer at my new company happens to know them and asked about me).
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • That coworker could potentially mention that I didn't give a full two-week notice. I work in an industry where companies overlap and relocation is possible, so I worry about burning bridges long-term.
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  • Even if it doesn't matter now, I could cross paths with someone again in the future.
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  • However, I'm not sure if I'm overthinking this too much because in general all of my managers have been very happy with my performance so I would think that they would also remember how I performed and not just if I didn't give my two weeks notice this one time.
    via Nervous_Math_2771
  • What would you recommend? Edit: new company said they could not move my start date
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  • A man in a suit holding a briefcase sits across from another person at a table with papers on it
    via Tahir osman (Unsplash+)

    A man in a suit holding a briefcase sits across from another person at a table

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

  • eapocalypse For every single job will not pay a bonus to an employee who is not employed. In fact even if you give your notice and your notice period goes into when bonuses are paid out, its likely they won't pay it. A bonus, is just that and subject to be taken away essentially at any time. When changing jobs --- the potential lost bonus is generally negotiated as a sign-on bonus at the new company. If that never happened your best bet is to negotiate a start which would give adequate time noti
    via eapocalypse
  • Nervous_Math_2771 Original Poster's Reply If you had to choose what would you do?
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  • eapocalypse In my field I'd give proper notice to avoid burning bridges. That said I'd work to avoid being in this situation by negotiating a sign on bonus or start date. Consider it a lesson learned for next time.
    via eapocalypse
  • AardvarkBetter3266 Your current company would fire you today to save a dollar, and they'd never think of you again. Get your bonus, resign the next day and say "sorry, scheduling worked out the way it did." 10k is nothing to leave on the table
    via AardvarkBetter3266
  • StatusWorry3942 Yes, 100%. I was in this exact situation 2 years ago and decided to be the nice guy and tell my boss ahead so I could assist with my transition. The "bonus" was 1/2 that, $5,000. Come 2 days before my final week and I'm told the bonus will not be granted, I quit that day.
    via StatusWorry3942
  • hr_king 100 Don't lose your bonus, I did. Leave after the check clears. It doesn't matter anymore.
    via hr_king100
  • Panda_rock_5673 If you have any vacation or personal days left, you could book it off during the overlapping period instead of having your vacation days paid out. That would give you a few extra days or maybe even your 2 weeks (depending on how many days you have left available).
    via Panda_rock_5673
  • RemarkableMacadamia I would not resign same day as payout. I would do it the day after. Not saying they would claw it back same day... but wouldn't put it past them either.
    via RemarkableMacadamia
  • Trikki1 At every company I've worked in you need to be active and in good standing (not on a pip, not in notice period, etc.) to receive a bonus. There's a good chance they withhold it if you are in your notice period. Alternatively, your handbook likely has a clause that your company may accept your resignation early. If so, they could exercise that clause and you'd not get paid the bonus. TL;DR: if the 10k is meaningful, don't do anything until that money is in the bank.
    via Trikki1
  • nerdyguytx People at my old job did this all the time. As soon as year end bonuses cleared bank accounts several people would quit. And as soon as you quit, you were escorted out.
    via nerdyguytx

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