Holiday Bonus

[MINI4U]

We have for the last 7+ years gave out a $100.00 bonus for Christmas to all our employees. It never changed because our revenue never changed. This year we got a new service writer and he knows how to sell. Not only have we made over $200,000 more than the last 7+ years (in 9 months!) but also shop moral is way up so the techs are producing better. We definitely want to go up on our bonus any recommendations? Currently the service writer gets a bonus on sales monthly and he techs get extra pay for production.

 

 

[HarrytheCarGeek]

I don't think you made over $200,000, what i think you mean is you had sales revenues in excess of $200K. Having said that, I am weary of cash bonuses because people can begin to construe them as an entitlement. I do believe they are powerful incentives, and I try to link them to the particular's individual performance.

 

Someone living within their means, a cash bonus is seen as a valuable reward, on the other hand a spendthrift thinks he is entitled to even more money regardless of his effort, this has been my experience.

Edited December 18, 2015 by HarrytheCarGeek

[PAPShop]

Listening to the radio or reading an article (don't remember which) the subject was "What is the #1 thing that employees appreciate and retains them as happy employees?" The answer was a Christmas Bonus. Not raises or benefits.

 

We will be giving a bonus this year, out of sincerity not because we have to - but in appreciation. The owner will personally hand it out with a handshake and a big thank you.

[MINI4U]

Sorry yes I meant sales.

[MINI4U]

Do you do the bonus by a calculation of profits? Trying to figure out how to do it mathematically and curious how others do it. If everyone is on the same page about the shop making a goal or amount at the end of the year then they can expect a certain percentage. That way if the shop does not make it neither do they.

[HarrytheCarGeek]

1 weeks pay for those 1 to 4 years of service, 2 weeks pay for those 5-10 yrs.

[Marksas]

We never call anything bonus. We call it "profit sharing". There has to be profit for any extra funds to be distributed. As for Christmas since I do give out cash I started calling them Christmas "gifts" since that's what they really are. This year I am writing personal notes for each employee with a Christmas card rather than the typical money envelope so many people use. I will distribute at our Christmas dinner where we invite the whole family and/or boyfriends/girlfriends.

[Bock auto]

We took over the shop in September from the previous owner after 38 yes in business. I had worked for him for 11 years prior to take over. The one employee who I carried over with me during the changeover is a once in a lifetime employee that everyday goes above and beyond on every job. I kept asking and prying into an item he might be interested in. He grew up in a poor poor community and I found out has slanted Apple products. My wife and I bought him a MacBook laptop as a Christmas thank you. Now, we have a new hire who has been with us 3 weeks, not sure what to do for him.

[FROGFINDER]

Bad thing about large bonuses is that if the employee drinks or drugs and you give them $$$$ all at once it could kill them. Better yet is money towards tools they need,food to keep them strong or a specific family need. We keep them alive to serve the ship....row and row well. They pull the wagon...Feed them well. Merry Christmas!

[AJFA]

My 2 techs each received 1 weeks pay, my office staff (wife!) & I got to go to Hawaii on the World Pac cruise this year se we are good till taxes are done!

 

 

Dave

[MINI4U]

We are going to Hawaii through CarQuest . Didn't hear about the WorldPac Cruise.

Edited December 21, 2015 by MINI4U

[lmcca]

Bad thing about large bonuses is that if the employee drinks or drugs and you give them $$$$ all at once it could kill them. Better yet is money towards tools they need,food to keep them strong or a specific family need. We keep them alive to serve the ship....row and row well. They pull the wagon...Feed them well. Merry Christmas!

 

kill them huh? a little far fetched. a plane could fall on the mall too, they would be there because they have extra cash now.

 

We give money, money, money. Makes them happy and they are very appreciative as well as the owner. Dont overthink it. Giving them money gets each and everyone the perfect gift as they can buy with it what they want.

[Jeff]

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[stowintegrity]

We give out Christmas cards each year to our staff, and enclose some cash in each envelope. I realize it's subtle, but the understanding at our shop is that the Christmas cards & the money that goes with it isn't a bonus or a commission or an entitlement, but simply a gift.

 

I generally take the time to personally write more than a few words in each card, and my staff is nearly always overwhelmed & willing to express their gratitude. It is, after all, a gift. (Not unlike anything else that they may receive from others on Christmas morning)

 

We truly appreciate our staff, and have been careful to focus on the people we work with throughout the year, making a Christmas gift of cash just "icing on the cake".

 

We don't, by the way, have a year-end bonus or profit-sharing type of program. We had another record sales year this year hich hasn't affected the gifts we give.

[skm]

It is nice to hear all of you that take care of your employees, I have worked at the same place for 25 years. I went from a very generous bonus to 0 for two years now get a very tiny one that won't even fill the gas tank on my car. Everyone receives the same measly amount, doesn't matter how good or how loyal or how long you have been there. Anyway even though I don't receive much of anything I want to commend those owners out there that respect and treat their employees kindly.. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU !!!!

[alfredauto]

I worked for large corporations that gave me money envelopes with thank you notes in them. No money. Insulting. I give cash money, enough to make a difference.