Asking for pro-rated bonus before quitting (1 year in, partial bonus paid for 1st year)

Hey all,

Hoping to get your advice or on my current situation.

I've been at my current firm for almost 1 year, and I'm moving on to a better buy-side opportunity.

I started in June 2012 and will be leaving this coming June. Our bonuses were paid out in January, so of course, I was only paid for 7 months' worth of bonus back in January.

My question is this: since I have been at the firm for a full year and have only been paid a bonus for part of the year (7 months' worth), can I ask for a pro rated bonus when I leave (for the 5 months I worked).

Anyone have any luck with this? Are there any precedents?

Thanks for your help WSO.

11 Comments
 
HFFBALLfan123

Your best bet is to ask your new employer to make you whole. Zero chance your ex employer will give you a "Bonus" when you are leaving...

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

As stated above, never heard anyone getting a bonus when leaving. Even if you lasted the year and left before they paid you, you likely wouldnt get it. Best bet is with the new employer and asking for a signing bonus in lieu of the forgone bonus to join them.

“Be first, be smarter, or cheat!”
 
idragmazda

Thanks for the replies.

I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole, they know you're giving up a bonus since I'm sure they've asked when you were last paid. Just view it as an upgrade in your long term career trajectory, so in the grand scheme of things your 6 months of potential bonus will be somewhat meaningless.

 
m8 idragmazda:

Thanks for the replies.

I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole.

You won't find a single head hunter who will tell you not to explore your options. There is absolutely no reason not to ask in the negotiation stage. You just have to do it BEFORE you accept the other job, which doesn't seem to be the case here.
 
AllDay_028 m8:

idragmazda:
Thanks for the replies.

I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole.

You won't find a single head hunter who will tell you not to explore your options. There is absolutely no reason not to ask in the negotiation stage. You just have to do it BEFORE you accept the other job, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

Yeah, I have already signed and received a sign-on bonus (which was really just for moving and getting started up in a new city and state).

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis - when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this
 
AllDay_028 m8:

idragmazda:
Thanks for the replies.

I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole.

You won't find a single head hunter who will tell you not to explore your options. There is absolutely no reason not to ask in the negotiation stage. You just have to do it BEFORE you accept the other job, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

Ah, yes, different consideration; I wasnt dealing with headhunters. If you have a headhunter during the negotiation phase, by all means, they should be asking away.

 
Best Response
m8 AllDay_028:

m8:

idragmazda:
Thanks for the replies.
I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole.

You won't find a single head hunter who will tell you not to explore your options. There is absolutely no reason not to ask in the negotiation stage. You just have to do it BEFORE you accept the other job, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

Ah, yes, different consideration; I wasnt dealing with headhunters. If you have a headhunter during the negotiation phase, by all means, they should be asking away.

My point is you don't NEED a head hunter to negotiate this way. I went back and forth for a week with the firm i'm moving to without a head hunter and eventually was able to get what I want. There is no reason not to try and get what you want or get more out of it. You just have to be prepared to lose/not take that opportunity. Just be reasonable.
 
m8 idragmazda:

Thanks for the replies.

I've left jobs a few times now before bonuses are paid; you won't get paid out. I would also advise against asking for the new firm to make you whole, they know you're giving up a bonus since I'm sure they've asked when you were last paid. Just view it as an upgrade in your long term career trajectory, so in the grand scheme of things your 6 months of potential bonus will be somewhat meaningless.

Yeah, I am not going to ask the new firm to make me whole.

I'll probably ask my current firm the day or two days before I leave if this is something they can accommodate; if not, no big deal. I guess it doesn't hurt o ask.

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis - when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this
 

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