Bonus and pay increase problems

WestonDave

When times are tough, there is a hard choice for the employers - do you blatantly tell staff they won't get a bonus because things are too tight - result demotivated staff and times get harder and people end up losing their jobs, or do you try to keep everyone working hard by leaving the bonus door open so that at least everyone keeps things as good as they can be and no-one gets laid off - and the bonuses keep getting knocked on the head due to strange little issues. There isn't a right answer - I suspect if times were easier then something like being loud wouldn't be enough to stop you getting a bonus - as it is, that's your particular target, someone else is probably getting knocked back because their desk is untidy, or their file notes aren't clear etc.

lizzywig

Oh how I wish I worked somewhere that rewarded hardworking people rather than just the bosses....but I do have a job and I'm thankful for that (I'm not implying you're not).

DH's cousin is very loud, you can hear her from another room, I went to a wedding a while ago and heard her from the otherside of the venue. She's had problems too as try and she might she can't seem to turn down the volume....she ended up starting her own business and people love her for it. I do see where you are coming from and yes it is who you are - no one can help who they are, even those annoying people who are opinionated enough for everyone else. However you have to try and think of it as a 'work you' and 'home you', like putting on a mask. I'd bet you'd tell a loved one that their bum looked big in something if they asked, but if your boss asked what would you say?! Similary what would you do if your boss was a bit harsh with you at work on a daily basis, would you try to be polite and deal with it accordingly or would you tell them what you thought of them. Probably not the latter! I really don't mean to patronise you but I think that if your 'personality' is a problem then you need to try and come up with a work persona.....I know you said this isn't what you wanted to hear but I think it's the only answer. As someone else said performance is just a part of the puzzle, they will make their decision based on performance, professionalism and work ethics. If your company regulary provide bonuses and pay rises then I doubt they are trying to get out of paying you anything. I would rest assured though that if they had an actual problem with you that it would have been raised as a real issue rather than just a few passing comments. The fact that you've been told why you haven't been given the bonus gives you a chance to try again to address it.

persa

It might be a lame reason to not pay you a bonus, but at least it's something you can work on. They haven't made your bonus dependent on the actions of others - it's dependent on something you can control.

I have worked with people who are naturally loud - and it does make it difficult for others to concentrate. I can tone out background chat fairly successfully, but when I'm trying to write something and/or check what I've written, if someone is chatting at full volume, it makes it difficult for me to do my job properly.

Could you speak to the colleagues who sit near you and mention that you've realised you get a bit excited sometimes and if you start to get really loud, could they please just give you a prod, so you know to lower the volume a bit? If you make an obvious effort to address what has been labelled a 'problem' in a light-hearted way, you'll win over anyone who's been grumbling about you behind your back and demonstrate that you deserve at least a partial bonus, because you're working on your weaker areas and taking on board advice rather than getting defensive.

Hope the situation doesn't get you down too much. I'd love to have someone like you around on a bad day, I'm sure you'd cheer me up then, but when I'm trying to get lots of urgent work out of the door, I need a bit of quiet and some of your co-workers probably feel the same!

CapJ

OP- I too can be quite loud and I tend to work for people who appreciate it! I agree this sort of thing can be moral boosting (if not taken too far). It can be so dull otherwise. If you can't be any quieter than you are being and they are serious about not paying you a bonus only because of this then I would look for a job with someone who appreciates you more!

(Are you using your real name in your username? And is that a photo of you? If so, it might be worth asking the moderators to delete the thread. I can't imagine your employers would be pleased if they saw this!)

somethingcorporate

Sounds like a bit of a lame excuse to me but if they have told you repeatedly and you don't appear to be responding to feedback from management then this could be a reason, even if it is to do with something concerning your underlying personality.

sandiejannorman

Thanks everyone for your advise and stuff. You've all been really helpful and I appreciate it.
Some of you have said some really nice things.

I am really trying from now on to keep a low profile.

Will talk to my manager and ask for a progress report as I think my "behaviour" may have improved.

Wyndham

I'm also loud, and know it, so I do try to do a few things in the work environment to mitigate it.

If someone starts a conversation with me from across the room, I always move over to them to continue the conversation.

If possible, I have conversations away from others.

I check if those around me are looking fed up if I'm talking lots

Etc, etc.

I also say 'I know I'm loud, tell me to quieten down if it's too much', which can help, but people may not say, hence the other things I do.

And, like the OP says, if that's who you are, you can't become a 'quiet person', it just isn't going to happen!