Bonus for some staff not all.

Ramius2020

Good evening, I apologise in advance if I have this wrong, first time poster.

Basically to cut a long story short, I have returned to work before Christmas after having Maternity leave, worked all over the holidays and discovered just yesterday that my colleague received a bonus which came up in general conversation. It is a relatively small business I work for, it is just my colleague and me. I just feel this is unfair. Should I get legal advice?

Many thanks and again, apologies if posted incorrectly for whatever reason.

74jax

Why would you get legal advice?

What was the bonus for?

TadleyBaggie

Bonuses are often discretionary, which means not been paid one would not be a legal matter (unless you were discriminated using a protected characteristic).

What does your employment contract say about bonuses?

Ramius2020

Wrong choice of word legal, just meant from citizens advice or something.

Thanks for responses here btw.

I have worked for my employer for 13 years. Never had a bonus, nor does the contract state anything about them. My issue is I feel like I have missed work over the last 9 months I have been left out essentially. Especially when I have covered for said colleague when she was on maternity a few years ago. I feel there is no justification for one getting it and not the other.

Thanks

Ramius2020

*My issue is, I feel like I have been left out as I have been on maternity for 9 months.

Ramius2020

Bonus reason not stated. Was just in colleagues payslip envelope. Wrong choice of word legal, sorry. Thanks for taking the time here...

BoGoF

The mistake your colleague made was telling you.

Ramius2020

Very helpful, thanks.

Carrot007

Ramius2020 wrote: »

Very helpful, thanks.

I assume you are being facetious.


They are doing nothing wrong. If you don't like it go work for a better company. (yes they (possibly) sound bad).

warby68

I am curious how you think you could justify a discretionary bonus for a period when you largely weren't there.

theoretica

Bonuses and maternity leave are complicated - you say you have worked there for 13 years. What has the bonus situation been during this time? Are you missing a bonus you usually get?



If this is the only bonus given in all that time then the giving is the unusual bit, and it doesn't seem to me you could argue you have been left out. If you usually get a bonus, but this time haven't then it does seem more like you have been left out.