General Discussion

Trailrider1951

(3,581 posts)

64. Yeah, this year was scary

Thu Dec 22, 2011, 11:17 AM

Dec 2011

My bonus this year was one tenth (1/10, 10%) of what it was last year. I work for an engineering consulting firm and our clients are the big, small and independent oil companies, as well as state and federal governments. The company president talked to us when he handed out the checks and told us that he and the owner of the company almost canceled the bonuses this year because business was so bad. My time at work was about 48% billable. Last year, I was 64% billable. Three years ago, I was 82% billable. Four years ago, I was 89% billable. It is pretty scary sitting around with nothing to do. Unless business picks up, there may very well be first-ever layoffs next year. Damn, I just turned 60 years old. I may take early retirement at 62, if my job lasts that long.

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Tell me about your Christmas/Holiday Bonus [View all] OKDem08 Dec 2011 OP

no bonus. lol. DesertFlower Dec 2011 #1

A set of steak knifes... I was lucky! cthulu2016 Dec 2011 #2

lol, one of my top 10 favorite movies OriginalGeek Dec 2011 #6

I know someone who got a $10 gift certificate for 'meat.' tblue Dec 2011 #110

Bonus? Ilsa Dec 2011 #3

same here caraher Dec 2011 #12

+1 for me and Rhythm Lyric Dec 2011 #53

Same here. freshwest Dec 2011 #152

Voila! elleng Dec 2011 #4

we got a 25$ Amex giftcard at Thanksgiving OriginalGeek Dec 2011 #5

We got a letter telling us "No raise this year" d/t Medicare cuts. eilen Dec 2011 #7

In 1988, I got a frozen turkey. Bozita Dec 2011 #8

I got my standard one OhioBlue Dec 2011 #9

You'll have to explain.... daleanime Dec 2011 #10

I got the payroll tax holiday my employer never gave us all year Prism Dec 2011 #11

I Got a $25 Bonus From My Last Employer That Let Me Go In April rsmith6621 Dec 2011 #13

My what? ProfessionalLeftist Dec 2011 #14

No bonus so far. Maw Kettle Dec 2011 #15

never gotten a bonus. Tunkamerica Dec 2011 #16

$125.00 Visa Card sce56 Dec 2011 #17

Everyone in the company got the greater of an extra pay period or $2000 Sen. Walter Sobchak Dec 2011 #18

3.6% COLA pinto Dec 2011 #19

My bonus also. Well, it is better than the nothing COLA raises in the past 3 years. n/t RebelOne Dec 2011 #97

Only cash holiday bonus I ever got was from working at a 7-11, believe it or not. Systematic Chaos Dec 2011 #20

Last time I saw a Xmas bonus was in the 1980's bermudat Dec 2011 #21

I was told that the floggings would only be for fifteen minutes instead of the usual twenty. Ikonoklast Dec 2011 #22

Haha! That was great! OKDem08 Dec 2011 #23

LOL! BlueJazz Dec 2011 #131

DUzy MedicalAdmin Dec 2011 #141

... FirstLight Dec 2011 #24

I have done such good work this year safeinOhio Dec 2011 #25

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #26

A couple of weeks ago, everyone got a crispy $100 bill with their paycheck NBachers Dec 2011 #27

I got a major award. Hissyspit Dec 2011 #28

Don't go to the basement and mess with furnace!!! Call it a hunch! Behind the Aegis Dec 2011 #34

This? jdadd Dec 2011 #39

Fra-gi-le jorno67 Dec 2011 #66

Christmas was the end of our weekend, so 3 days off in a row! JCMach1 Dec 2011 #29

A one-year membership to the jelly of the month club. tXr Dec 2011 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Bunny Dec 2011 #33

I've been thinking of that the whole time I've read this post/comments! AllyCat Dec 2011 #92

Dammit! thats all I got too! flying rabbit Dec 2011 #146

$125 gift card XemaSab Dec 2011 #31

What's a bonus? AngryOldDem Dec 2011 #32

What is a bonus, though? ChadwickHenryWard Dec 2011 #71

$100 and 4 gig USB aletier_v Dec 2011 #35

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT. HughBeaumont Dec 2011 #36

The last time I got a bonus was back in 1986 when I was working for Sysco Food Services... WCGreen Dec 2011 #37

Last place I worked (2007) jdadd Dec 2011 #38

$250.oo mdmc Dec 2011 #40

A Christmas bonus? That's an alien concept to me... Violet_Crumble Dec 2011 #41

None JustAnotherGen Dec 2011 #42

Mine came yesterday. I got 60 bucks and an assortment of cookies and candy. smokey nj Dec 2011 #43

Hey, it was something. Making more than middle income with a position. I got one candy bar one year. The Wielding Truth Dec 2011 #99

only Christmas bonus I ever got was Double Time for working on Christmas eShirl Dec 2011 #44

$300. and 4days off. n/t michaz Dec 2011 #45

There's nothing to tell deutsey Dec 2011 #46

I got $100.00 from my employer onethatcares Dec 2011 #47

You have something to leave zeros off of? JHB Dec 2011 #48

gm retiree- zero this year. 2pooped2pop Dec 2011 #49

About a thousand dollar cut wasn't it? NNN0LHI Dec 2011 #54

700 I think was the usual for the bonus 2pooped2pop Dec 2011 #69

usually husband gets 300.00. This year, a bottle of wine and a target gift card n/t babydollhead Dec 2011 #50

we got a $10 Target gift card. ... um,for saving lives. w8liftinglady Dec 2011 #51

$0 quaker bill Dec 2011 #52

$50 gift card. Last year it was $100. Either I sucked this year or justiceischeap Dec 2011 #55

User to get a 10% bonus that was taxed Riley18 Dec 2011 #56

About two weeks worth of take home pay blockhead Dec 2011 #57

What's a "bonus"? GoCubsGo Dec 2011 #58

I've never received a Christmas bonus, because I'm an independent contractor. MilesColtrane Dec 2011 #59

I'm self-employed. I only get a bonus if I do an extra project. MineralMan Dec 2011 #60

I'm in your boat frazzled Dec 2011 #160

If the House doesn't get their shit together Le Taz Hot Dec 2011 #61

Bone what? Lance_Boyle Dec 2011 #62

My daughter gets a VERY generous bonus. Tracer Dec 2011 #63

Yeah, this year was scary Trailrider1951 Dec 2011 #64

$0 jorno67 Dec 2011 #65

I usually get a good one Marrah_G Dec 2011 #67

1/2 Day Off AldebTX Dec 2011 #68

Like every year... Iggo Dec 2011 #70

when hubby had his decent job with benefits newspeak Dec 2011 #72

No bonuses where I work. Some people took pay cuts. Everybody has more work with less resources. yardwork Dec 2011 #73

When my boss called me into his office for the merit bonus... Iggo Dec 2011 #74

BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Christmas bonus???? socialist_n_TN Dec 2011 #75

43 and have never had a bonus in my life. sarcasmo Dec 2011 #76

They've been steadily decreasing at my place of employment... Jankyn Dec 2011 #77

No Bonus, but thats okay! I am told that the 'job creators' need it! Huey P. Long Dec 2011 #78

I'm the boss and I always give a small bonus to all employees riderinthestorm Dec 2011 #79

Thank you for being a good boss. JNelson6563 Dec 2011 #95

We need more of you in the world.... a la izquierda Dec 2011 #129

i have a job the day after ...thats all the bonus i need SwampG8r Dec 2011 #80

Work in healthcare... Skeletor Dec 2011 #81

Hmmm...we must work at the same facility AllyCat Dec 2011 #91

I hear my boss may be giving out hams this year. leeroysphitz Dec 2011 #82

$25 Amex Gift card geardaddy Dec 2011 #83

nothing shanti Dec 2011 #84

People still get those? redqueen Dec 2011 #85

Biggest banks expected to announce $156 billion in year end bonuses kenny blankenship Dec 2011 #101

Well, I did say 'people'... redqueen Dec 2011 #102

I have always gotten my bonus in the March / April timeframe badtoworse Dec 2011 #86

I am a public employee.... mike_c Dec 2011 #87

I got boehner's cooked goose. n/t deacon Dec 2011 #88

I got a form letter from our union-busting CEO AllyCat Dec 2011 #89

Here's a picture of mine slackmaster Dec 2011 #90

Oh I get it. I was going to ask if you raised geese. If so that's a nice egg. haha The Wielding Truth Dec 2011 #100

2.8% of annual salary Roland99 Dec 2011 #93

Bonus? Cripes... 99Forever Dec 2011 #94

The last time I got a Christmas bonus, Doc_Technical Dec 2011 #96

I got a nice card and some holiday snacks. Starry Messenger Dec 2011 #98

Nothing. (engineer at a defense/contracting company) OneTenthofOnePercent Dec 2011 #103

I am very fortunate to have a very generous boss. Lebam in LA Dec 2011 #104

We got bonuses at my job, but less than some previous years. kcass1954 Dec 2011 #105

Never had a cash bonus. Tindalos Dec 2011 #106

two movie tickets Matariki Dec 2011 #107

$100 tblue Dec 2011 #108

What's a bonus? Fearless Dec 2011 #109

Try Germany, most companies give them DissedByBush Dec 2011 #159

I think the bottom line is I'm underpaid. Lol. Fearless Dec 2011 #162

A discount card Sherman A1 Dec 2011 #111

Was expecting a silent thread Blue Owl Dec 2011 #112

One of my three jobs gave me a $500.00 bonus. NYC_SKP Dec 2011 #113

Yesterday the ED called the staff together... TygrBright Dec 2011 #114

how about a $25.00 gift card to WalMart..... obietiger Dec 2011 #115

bonus, LOLOLOLOL Skittles Dec 2011 #116

here's my bonus...laid off Slit Skirt Dec 2011 #117

That sucks. I'm sorry to hear that. Edweird Dec 2011 #127

thanks..yes it does suck Slit Skirt Dec 2011 #153

Last Friday was my last day. bluedigger Dec 2011 #164

What is this B-O-N-U-S ... etherealtruth Dec 2011 #118

Unemployed but I once got a $5 gift certificate to McDonalds. IrishEyes Dec 2011 #119

I'm a seasonal customer service rep at LLBean. This is my third year crim son Dec 2011 #120

I work for a very small company, phylny Dec 2011 #121

Our bonuses are usually in march - 5% taught_me_patience Dec 2011 #122

Just got it: glowing Dec 2011 #123

My husband is lucky. He was given $200.00 in LibDemAlways Dec 2011 #124

Self-employed. My bonus is not having to commute. Auggie Dec 2011 #125

I got a ham. But, I have decent wages, good working conditions and excellent equipment. Edweird Dec 2011 #126

My bonus? A pink slip! nt valerief Dec 2011 #128

The only Christmas Bonus I EVER received was when I was in college and go five $1.00 McDonald's gift 1monster Dec 2011 #130

I used to organize my own bonus. Turbineguy Dec 2011 #132

Lunch out with the boss, and all employees, once MarkCharles Dec 2011 #133

I gave one to my one employee. Not much but he was pleased. efhmc Dec 2011 #134

I have friday Charlemagne Dec 2011 #135

Pretty depressing to read this thread . . . MrModerate Dec 2011 #136

I'm waiting to hear how much longer my company is going to keep neverforget Dec 2011 #137

Gave a total of $3,000 to my 4 employees. dems_rightnow Dec 2011 #138

$50 Amex gift card Politicub Dec 2011 #139

I got an interesting bonus. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #140

Nada, zip, zilch, nothing.... freshstart Dec 2011 #142

Like Harlan Ellison has said about his impoverished youth "we had phlegm for the holidays" aint_no_life_nowhere Dec 2011 #143

The last holiday bonus I got was in 1988 Generic Brad Dec 2011 #144

$400.00 Motown_Johnny Dec 2011 #145

I get a hefty bonus every year. Honeycombe8 Dec 2011 #147

2 yrs. ago I was laid off for Christmas - lynne Dec 2011 #148

I lose a day's pay peacefreak Dec 2011 #149

Bonus?! Hahahahaha... Luciferous Dec 2011 #150

Bonus? Are you fricking kidding me? SmittynMo Dec 2011 #151

Bonus was good this year... cheapdate Dec 2011 #154

Haven't had one of those in years. progressoid Dec 2011 #155

Not for me, but corp just decided to demote our op mngr and force more front desk hours on her... DRoseDARs Dec 2011 #156

2 movie passes donheld Dec 2011 #157

I got my first one in my entire life DissedByBush Dec 2011 #158

My husband's employer gave a holiday party earlier this month Missy Vixen Dec 2011 #161

It was a tad under 20K TheOther95Percent Dec 2011 #163