The presents that I have in mind are called Christmas bonuses or 13th Cheques. It is extra money given to employees at Christmas time. Sometimes all employees get the same bonus, other times the size of the bonus is a percentage of their salary. It’s also common that the size of the Christmas bonus depends on how well the employee worked during the previous year. However, over the years most employees have come to expect the payment of a 13th Cheque as a right or entitlement, or as a condition of employment. A Christmas bonus is not mandatory but if it has been introduced it is something sought after by employees. It can be seen as a sign of ‘goodwill to fellow men’. During Christmas we like to splurge more than usual; that is why such a bonus is an incentive and a sign of appreciation by the boss for the whole year of hard work.
The kind of bonus one expects is different in each corporation. It can be a hefty or a frugal gift. Cash is the number one present. Gift certificates have become a popular choice in lieu of cash. Gift baskets can also be well received. They can be simple with an assortment of fruits and nuts or lavish with gourmet chocolates and wine. On the list of presents we may also find Christmas parties, which are gaining in popularity. They may be the only time for all employees to get together outside the formal work environment. Yet, the greatest obstacle for Santa ‘Boss’ is selecting a gift which will be appropriate for all his employees. Children write letters to Santa, grown-ups on the other hand can only hope their bosses know them better than they do themselves. If not, we can always start a new tradition of writing letters to Santa ‘Bosses’, because shouldn’t everyone receive their dream present?
Merry Christmas to all YOU hard working employees. I hope everyone will be happy with what they find under their Christmas tree!
Word-of-the-week
Santa – (St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus) – the imaginary old man with long white hair and a beard and a red coat who is believed by children to bring them presents at Christmas
