Did My Boss Just Give Away $5,000 at Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an incident where a boss offered a $5,000 bonus to one employee through a random drawing among three people present at work on a Friday afternoon. Participants explore the implications of such a decision, including feelings of disappointment, fairness, and the broader economic context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses disappointment at not winning the $5,000, highlighting the randomness of the selection process.
  • Another participant questions the appropriateness of giving out such a large bonus randomly, suggesting it could foster competition and distrust among employees.
  • Some participants propose that splitting the amount among the three individuals would have been a fairer approach.
  • A participant mentions that the boss had previously given away $5,000 during the holidays under similar circumstances, indicating a pattern of behavior.
  • Concerns are raised about the management decision to not allow the splitting of the bonus, with one participant noting that the director's policies may contribute to employee dissatisfaction.
  • Several participants share personal anecdotes about their own experiences with luck and bonuses, reflecting on the emotional impact of such situations.
  • One participant suggests that the drawing resembles gambling behavior, which could have negative implications for workplace morale.
  • Another participant expresses a desire for fairness, stating that if they were the winner, they would feel compelled to share the winnings with the others present.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions about the fairness and implications of the boss's decision, with no clear consensus on whether the approach taken was appropriate or beneficial.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the director's compensation plan does not allow for splitting bonuses, which may limit options for equitable distribution. The emotional responses to the situation vary significantly among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in workplace dynamics, management decisions, and employee morale may find this discussion relevant.

Evo
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My boss just asked me to meet him in the conference room. He wouldn't tell me what was going on, he said two more people were coming. Turns out he had $5,000 to give to one person, and since there were only three of us still at work on a Friday afternoon, he was going to draw a name and the winner got the money.

Obviously I didn't win.

I'm bummed.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
maybe you'll win next Friday
 
Uh, are you kidding me? Your boss hands out random $5k bonuses to people just for being there on a Friday afternoon?

No wonder our economy is so f'ed up right now.

- Warren
 
I would have split it into 3.

You win PF'ers fondness, respect and awe (a discriminating and hard to please crowd); so I say you're a winner.
 
chroot said:
Uh, are you kidding me? Your boss hands out random $5k bonuses to people just for being there on a Friday afternoon?

No wonder our economy is so f'ed up right now.

- Warren
Yup, he gave someone $5k during the holidays, since he was the only one there.

He says he has two more to give out but it will be raffled off between those that are here when he decides to do it.
 
EnumaElish said:
I would have split it into 3.

You win PF'ers fondness, respect and awe (a discriminating and hard to please crowd); so I say you're a winner.
Yes, that is better than $5,000. :cry:
 
Evo said:
My boss just asked me to meet him in the conference room. He wouldn't tell me what was going on, he said two more people were coming. Turns out he had $5,000 to give to one person, and since there were only three of us still at work on a Friday afternoon, he was going to draw a name and the winner got the money.

Obviously I didn't win.

I'm bummed.

Just think, if you hadn't known about it you would have no reason to be depressed.

I'll officially award you one box of Twinkies just for being you. Just send me the bill. :biggrin:
 
:cry::cry:
 
Evo said:
Yes, that is better than $5,000. :cry:
Get online NOW and treat yourself to a box of Godiva's best.

Send the bill to Ivan. :biggrin:
 
  • #10
I get the feeling your boss is either very indecisive or doesn't like his employees very much. It seems odd to me to mandate $5K to one person in an office full of people. That would encourage competition, but not teamwork. It would encourage sabotage and distrust in employees. Then the whole 'only one of you three can win, but I want you to be here to see the look on your faces when you lose' thing. It resembles the occassional reinforcement pattern found in gambling, and could be a way to increase productivity and general ass-kissing from employees at a minimum cost. I'm not impressed.
 
  • #11
He had asked for permission to split it but was denied.

The drawing was the only fair thing to do. And by drawing in front of us there could be no question that it was rigged.
 
  • #12
Well then I take back what I said about him.
 
  • #13
Now you know to bring a revolver next time you're called to the conference room.
 
  • #14
He should have just given it to me, I can keep a secret. The girl that won certainly doesn't need the money.
 
  • #15
Werg22 said:
Now you know to bring a revolver next time you're called to the conference room.
:smile:

Can't do that, last month they put a sticker on the front door of a gun with that red circle and line through it.
 
  • #16
Evo said:
He had asked for permission to split it but was denied.

The drawing was the only fair thing to do. And by drawing in front of us there could be no question that it was rigged.

Denied by who?
 
  • #17
IT's ok. It's worth more when you earn it.

Did you buy that?
 
  • #18
rewebster said:
Denied by who?
Our director.

Huckleberry said:
IT's ok. It's worth more when you earn it.

Did you buy that?
No.
 
  • #19
I'm going to cry. I really could have used that.
 
  • #20
Who couldn't?
 
  • #21
Ok--just one PF'er that's logged on at 5:40 CST will win ...
 
  • #22
Werg22 said:
Who couldn't?
I wouldn't have much use for it. I just came from the bank about half an hour ago, where I deposited $6k in checks that I picked up off the living room floor.
 
  • #23
Evo said:
I'm going to cry. I really could have used that.
I am sorry; that must have hurt.
 
  • #24
Evo said:
Our director.


your director has a 'funny' attitude toward bonuses----what kind of reception has this got with the non-winners?

(besides depression)
 
  • #25
Huckleberry said:
I wouldn't have much use for it. I just came from the bank about half an hour ago, where I deposited $6k in checks that I picked up off the living room floor.

Err, I guess it doesn't apply to those people who have $6k worth of money lurking on the living room floor.
 
  • #26
It was a bit mean, he goes "I have $5,000 to give away, (YAY) but only one of you can have it (cry).
 
  • #27
rewebster said:
your director has a 'funny' attitude toward bonuses----what kind of reception has this got with the non-winners?

(besides depression)
It wasn't a bonus. My boss was recently promoted and an old customer of his placed an order that paid out $5,000, since he can't take it, he wanted to split the money among us, but the director said that the compensation plan won't allow for splits (it doesn't). So one person got a nice freebie.
 
  • #28
If I remember correctly I read somewhere you check PF at work? If so, maybe your boss installed a spyware software and monitors your posts daily?

In either case, that's no way to get back at someone. Karma will reward you!
 
  • #29
The thread was about being put in a room with two other people and being told "only one of you will get this". I think anyone can relate to how that makes a person feel.
 
Last edited:
  • #30
I would be insulted if my boss decided to hand out bonuses randomly and publicly to individuals where I work. I guess I wouldn't complain, but I wouldn't want to win either. I would generally resent the entire interruption. I guess considering that 5K is about 2 months of salary for me, we might have different interpretations on it's value.

I'm familiar with homelessness, so I live well below my means.
 

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