Poll: Should I be pissed about my bonus? Forum

[PMan99]

Really I think the reason OP should not have given such lengthy notice is the lack of reciprocity. OP behaved in a courteous manner to his coworkers and firm and was rewarded with half a bonus. Under the circumstances, if the partners you work for are going to permit you to be shafted, then giving the customary two weeks notice seems perfectly appropriate.

That's kind of the problem... in hindsight he shouldn't have given such lengthy notice, and I hope no one ever does again at that firm if that's the reason he got a 50% bonus. But at the time he did it, it was a reasonable move.

Associates should more or less always assume firms wlll screw then at any chance. Though I'd think most would want to keep a future client happy.

And yes, OP you should be pissed.

[spyke123]

Surprised by the polls and some comments here. OP was dumb to give notice that early but he/she should absolutely also be pissed - firm screwed him/her. I dunno how “blackbox” the firm is about bonuses but associates who meet the billables should be given full bonus...

[Johann]

Sounds like something Jones day would do

[jd20132013]

Surprised that earlier post went unchallenged

Market bonus is supposed to be part of your compensation for doing market level work (hitting hours). You deserve to get it if you hit hours whether or not you're being "retained".

[Anonymous User]

I think you have a right to be pissed although my sympathy for you is somewhat limited since I think you kind of screwed yourself. I was literally in the EXACT same position as you (accepted job offer with a longtime client about a month before bonuses came out and had a slow billable year). However, unlike you I waited until the bonus was deposited into my bank account before I said a peep to anyone about leaving. I got a full bonus. Your firm screwed you, but I also don't totally understand why you just assumed they wouldn't.

[runinthefront]

Surprised that earlier post went unchallenged

Market bonus is supposed to be part of your compensation for doing market level work (hitting hours). You deserve to get it if you hit hours whether or not you're being "retained".

Maybe in theory. Do you honestly think partners with 1/4 of Cravath’s PPP give out Cravath-level bonuses (once again, the key word is “bonus”) to thank their associates for billing throughout the year? If so, that’s pretty naive.

Of course you absolutely DESERVE the bonus; you’ve worked hard! But that’s not the reason why Dechert is giving first-years 15k.

[rpupkin]

Surprised that earlier post went unchallenged

Market bonus is supposed to be part of your compensation for doing market level work (hitting hours). You deserve to get it if you hit hours whether or not you're being "retained".

Deserve's got nothing to do with it.

You're a big law attorney, right? Do you think you deserve to make two to three times as much as a mid-law lawyer who works as hard as you do? Or six times as much as a public interest lawyer? You're paid what you're paid not because you "deserve" it, but because that's how much the firm thinks it needs to pay you to keep you slaving away for them.

[jd20132013]

Maybe a better way to phrase it would be you're entitled to it as part of your compensation package for performing median work

[cron1834]

Maybe a better way to phrase it would be you're entitled to it as part of your compensation package for performing median work

But you aren’t tho. That’s the thing. That’s why people wait until the check clears.

[PorscheFanatic]

Maybe a better way to phrase it would be you're entitled to it as part of your compensation package for performing median work

But you aren’t tho. That’s the thing. That’s why people wait until the check clears.

I completely agree. In no way shape or form is a bonus the firm saying "thank you." Yes, you worked hard for that bonus and it's earned by past work, but the firm is only giving it to you to keep you happy/employed/working hard for the future. Like someone said earlier, it's meant as a retention tactic, which is why total compensation increases the most during the midlevel years between bonus and salary (because it's when you're most employable and most likely to look elsewhere for a job).

[jd20132013]

agree to disagree, I guess.

you're not wrong that it's a retention measure, but the trigger is (in my view) tied to market performance in the preceding year, such that you've earned it when you perform at market. of course it was dumb for OP to give early notice, and of course the firm can do whatever it wants until the money hits the bank account. not disputing either of those.

i don't see it as a "thank you," i see it as part of the compensation you've "earned" when you work a certain amount of hours for the firm. just one man's view though.

[cron1834]

Your view is not shared by the law or by most firms, it would appear. It would be nice if it was the case, though.

[jd20132013]

Lmao "your view is not shared by the law"

You a Harvard man?

[MKC]

Lmao "your view is not shared by the law"

You a Harvard man?

I just assume views attributed to "the law" actually refer to Judge Dredd.

[cron1834]

You a Harvard man?

Sorry, OP, for antagonizing this dumbass and distracting from your thread. Sucks about your bonus.