Letter says 20% bonus...now 'sent in error'? Please help.

bob_dob

Hi,
a friend of mine is quite annoyed at his employer, as are his colleagues.

Briefly, 12 months ago he was given a letter from his employers stating that if his company 'came in on time' (reached a certain level of production', i believe) then he would receive 20% of the bonus.
His staff (7 of them) had letters stating they would receive 10%.

My friend heard rumours last week that he and his staff would not be receiving the bonus so he asked his superiors about this who said, and sent a letter, stating that the original letters were sent 'in error'.

My friend wrote to a director of the company detailing his complaint (but not an official grievance), followed by two emails and has received an email back explaining that the director is looking in to it.

Please can i have some advice to pass on to my friend as to what action, if any, to take?
His staff want to send an official grievance letter but he is slightly reluctant as, given his position, he fears he will be seen as the ring leader.

He is currently waiting for a reply from his employers/the director.

His staff are, as expected, keen to get the money before Christmas but my friend would prefer to play things slowly/cautiously.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Googlewhacker

I guess he has to for now wait and let the Director do his job for a week or so and then chase it up.

He is the ring leader as he is in charge so he should be the one doing the chasing but only until the grievence is raised....then they should stand together.

TrickyWicky

Difficult one that but the company can't claim that they accidentally typed up, printed and then sent a letter like that purely by accident. It's been sent to the staff intentionally but whether it was done with the companys consent or by a disgruntled employee in HR who wanted to stir up some trouble for the company is another matter.

Have the line managers previously been aware of this letter when it was first sent? - If so they should of verified it back then and if they haven't then through them the company has decided to ignore it which implies they had no problem with it.

Legally speaking the above is probably gibberish though and those affected really need to seek qualified legal assistance before going any further.

DVardysShadow

The boy who cried Wolf, the company which said Bonus!

The obvious fatal flaw with what the employer is doing is that they will never be able to motivate anyone with a bonus again. They will never be taken seriously for any kind of promise they make.If his staff send their letter, it would be a good thing. Your friend could stand aside from the formal grievance, but he should make the point to his bosses about the fatal flaw.

But something to keep in the back of his mind is that his bosses must know that breaking such a promise will destroy trust completely and that saying the letter was sent 'in error' will only compound the lack of trust. So if they know that, why are they not bothered? Is the company about to fold or be sold off?

bob_dob

Hi and thank you all for your help.

In answer to your question- the company is doing exceptionally well and am 99% sure that it is not likely to be sold!

bob_dob

Has anyone else got any further comments please?

DVardysShadow

bob_dob wrote: »

Hi and thank you all for your help.

In answer to your question- the company is doing exceptionally well and am 99% sure that it is not likely to be sold!

Companies which are doing exceptionally well are often sold. Particularly a feature of such sales is that the figures are massaged. I would say that this issue over the bonus fits the pattern.