Fixed Term Contracts & Bonus

Cyanide · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:01

Hi guys,

Hit a bit of a speed bump in sorting out my bonus with a previous employer so, obviously, my first reaction is to run to the internets!

I was on a fixed term contract, originally for 12 months but then extended to 18 months, which ended last June. The contract wasn't extended as the office I was working at was being closed and everything on full contracts got made redundant a few months after my contract ended.

I was assured several times that I would be entitled to a pro-rata bonus if it was being paid. The bonus is due today and it would seem that everyone on a full contract got paid but no-one on a fixed-term contact got anything.

Does anyone know where I stand on this? I hadn't budgeted for it or anything silly like that but it's a bit of a kick in the teeth to be told I'd get something and then not get it, especially given that it wasn't my choice to leave!

vanandjuanunited · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:06

Did you speak to them?
How do you know eeveryone else got theirs?
Do you have anything in writing?

[TW]Fox · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:08

I don't see how you can expect a bonus that wasn't in your contract from a company you dont work for anymore?

Cyanide · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:09

vanandjuanunited said:
Did you speak to them?
How do you know eeveryone else got theirs?
Do you have anything in writing?

Not spoken to HR yet, wanted to get my facts straight before calling.

I'm still in contact with a lot of the staff there, I know who was on what contract and Facebook this morning makes it clear who did and didn't get paid

I've just got my contract which doesn't mention bonus but gives my pay level, there's no definition of the pay level in the contract and it's this that includes the bonus.

Cyanide · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:11

[TW]Fox;21510495 said:
I don't see how you can expect a bonus that wasn't in your contract from a company you dont work for anymore?

I was on the same contract as everyone else except mine had an end date. All those who got made redundant got the payment today even though they haven't worked there for 4 months.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 20 Mar 2012 at 08:24

1) Is the bonus in detailed in your contract? No=forget it but see 3 below
2) If bonus is detailed is it discretionary? Yes=forget it but see 3 below
3) Is it normal practice to pay bonuses to all staff, you may have a slim chance based on this as it can create a precedent, but its a slim chance