Asking for a bonus at work, how does this sound?

[CoolTech]

Back story:

I have done contract work for a large company for the past 7 months. The team is being outsourced, but at the time the company stated the team would be outsourced, they said that all those who stayed til the end would get a $5,000 bonus. Well, it is supposedly only for those people who were here when they announced the team would be outsourced, but lots of people have left since then and I am staying until the end. I figure I have nothing to lose by asking for the bonus since the contract will end at the end of December. What do you guys think of the wording below?:

Email considering sending to boss:

Over the past seven months I have learned a great deal about the company, working in a transitioning work environment and where I want to progress in the workplace. I appreciate the guidance and leadership you have provided. I have had the pleasure of working with some knowledgeable and insightful colleagues during my tenure on the team as well. I was wondering if I was eligible for the bonus which was set aside for those team members that stayed until completion of the outsourcing. I have submitted a high quality of work, been punctual and exhibited professionalism in the face of sometimes adverse working conditions. (some drunk co-workers and fights) Thanks for your time and consideration

 

[akshatp]

Sounds like the end of your contract to me

If you are going to submit it, this line should read:

I was wondering if I would be eligible

 

[EKKC]

I think you should talk to him, use the same tone and wordings as you wrote here, I wouldn't want the request traceable or anything on record when I'm ASKING FOR MONEY


or simply demand "pay me biatch!"

 

[CoolTech]

Originally posted by: EKKC
I think you should talk to him, use the same tone and wordings as you wrote here, I wouldn't want the request traceable or anything on record when I'm ASKING FOR MONEY


or simply demand "pay me biatch!"

my boss is in another state, its really weird, and Ive only talked to him once. maybe I should still call him though

 

[her209]

So you were brought on after the announcement?

 

[tfinch2]

It's not the end of December yet.

 

[CoolTech]

Originally posted by: her209
So you were brought on after the announcement?

yes, but im sure the company allocated funds for all the people who are gone and there is plenty left over, just speculation at this point, but who knows?

 

[CoolTech]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
It's not the end of December yet.

right, but if I wait until the end Ill be closer to being off the contract company's payroll and it will be last minute and much less likely to occur.

 

[SoulAssassin]

10 to 1 odds the answer is "maybe" and then at the very last minute that will change to "no".

 

[Cattlegod]

say in person "Am I still getting my 5K bonus?". Don't do that in email.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
say in person "Am I still getting my 5K bonus?". Don't do that in email.

Agreed. Don't ask, the answer will be no. Make it clear that you believe you are getting the bonus, and you were wondering when that will go through. Chances are you won't get it anyway but it's a better approach than asking through email.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: CoolTech
exhibited professionalism in the face of sometimes adverse working conditions. (some drunk co-workers and fights) Thanks for your time and consideration

Why would you put that in your email? I would not expect him to take that seriously. You sound like you're trying to make yourself sound better at the expense of your co-workers. You have no idea who you are throwing under the bus with statements like that (could be friends of his in the group). Unless this is HS, leave the drama out.

 

[j00fek]

no bonus for U

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
say in person "Am I still getting my 5K bonus?". Don't do that in email.

Agreed. Don't ask, the answer will be no. Make it clear that you believe you are getting the bonus, and you were wondering when that will go through. Chances are you won't get it anyway but it's a better approach than asking through email.

"When am I getting that bonus?"

 

[thirdlegstump]

Don't ask and don't bitch is my motto. If you get it, you get it. If not, not...and there would be a reason for that. Whether it's fair or not, it's up to the man to judge, not you.

 

[ajf3]

Download a google earth satellite pic of his house. Drive by and take several digital pics at different times during the day/night. Take a pic of what interior rooms you can see from the window.

Attach all of these to the emails, and simply say.... I'm going to stop by to pick up my bonus check - this is your house, right?

 

[CoolTech]

Originally posted by: slsmnaz

Originally posted by: CoolTech
exhibited professionalism in the face of sometimes adverse working conditions. (some drunk co-workers and fights) Thanks for your time and consideration

Why would you put that in your email? I would not expect him to take that seriously. You sound like you're trying to make yourself sound better at the expense of your co-workers. You have no idea who you are throwing under the bus with statements like that (could be friends of his in the group). Unless this is HS, leave the drama out.

the drunk co-worker part was for you guys only, no way I would put that in the email I send to him. Also, the guys who were drunk all got fired or quit months ago.

 

[JS80]

"I was wondering when I could expect the $5k bonus for sticking it out through the end."

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: JS80
"I was wondering when I could expect the $5k bonus for sticking it out through the end."

This works.

 

[Xstatic1]

i don't like your email...sounds like you're begging, plus don't mention the negatives (like drunk co-workers & fights). take a more direct approach. do you remember when (the date or even the month) they said they would be giving the $5k...and how did they let u all know, via email or orally?

 

[bennylong]

Where my money be at, b?

 

[CoolTech]

Originally posted by: Xstatic1
i don't like your email...sounds like you're begging, plus don't mention the negatives (like drunk co-workers & fights). take a more direct approach. do you remember when (the date or even the month) they said they would be giving the $5k...and how did they let u all know, via email or orally?

I was not there that date, I came months later. But, since I stuck it out until the end, I thought I might ask for it since I was a good worker and I assume the funds were already allocated for all the people who were here at the announcement but have since left.

 

[Xstatic1]

Originally posted by: CoolTech


I was not there that date, I came months later. But, since I stuck it out until the end, I thought I might ask for it since I was a good worker and I assume the funds were already allocated for all the people who were here at the announcement but have since left.

so how did u find out about it? another co-worker? is he/she gone? so like how many months before u came on board did they make this announcement?

 

[CoolTech]

I think they made it in december, and I came in May. Yes, 3 co-workers told me about it.

 

[chrisms]

I wouldn't ask until later. Either you are eligible and will recieve it, or you are not and get nothing. The decision has already been made and by asking "if" you are eligible you are hurting the chances of getting a bonus, because there is the chance that you are going to get it but they decide to tell you "no" after you gave them the opportunity to.

Wait until you're gone. If you get it, great, if you don't, don't be surprised. Maybe try calling and asking when the bonus will be processed afterwards, but beyond that there isn't much you can do.