Company keeps saying bonus ‘is on the way’
Q . I still haven’t gotten my year-end bonus that was promised. And now it’s March. I’ve been asking and I keep getting the answer, “It’s on its way.” But no one can give me a specific date. Is there anyone else I should address this with?
A . I feel your pain. Have you contacted payroll? Your boss’s boss — yes, it’s completely appropriate to go above your boss’s head. My bigger concern though is the big picture — year-end bonuses are typically paid — as you may have already gotten them in the past — at year-end, not more than two months later.
Was there a specific reason for the delay? It would be one thing if your boss or someone said, “Well, it looks like we won’t be able to pay it after all, but this will be accounted for during salary review for your next increase in July” — or something like that. But, it’s still promised to you without a deliverable. In addition to trying to get more specific answers, I’d immediately revise your resume, start applying to jobs and interviewing with a company that values you, has transparent communication and is more financially stable.
Q. I have an upcoming interview on Zoom. It’s the third round. I wore a suit jacket to the first two interviews and everyone was super casual. This next one is on Friday — now that we kind of all know each other, can I just go super casual, too?
A. First, congrats on this third interview! That’s great news. And you may not like what I have to say, but no. The formal suit jacket has been working for you the first two rounds, I’d keep it going. (Plus, it’s Zoom so you won’t be wearing it as long as you would if you were in an office.)
When I worked in recruiting, no one ever commented on candidates who were overdressed; in fact, it seemed to just flow with the interview itself, but the ones that were underdressed, well, they were memorable in not the best way.
Even though everyone there is casual and even though this is the third interview and conversations feel more familiar, I’d stick with wearing something that looks buttoned up.
Just think — when you get that job offer that’s when you can fit right into their culture and dress code with casual attire.