Originally Posted By avromark ^^^ don't you know you just need to buy into DVC, I'm sure you like me have thousands just lying around, under your mattress and what not. I like Disney a lot, but I do like variety in my vacations as well. Of course if Disney would buy another hotel around DLR I wouldn't complain. Maybe open up a Pop Century Towers or something.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>In today's America, you are expected to cash-out refinance your home in order to pay your bills and finance your lifestyle.<< So sad and so true. But the party is over.
Originally Posted By junglejoy I have no idea what DH's raise will be this next year - they happen in March- but for 2006 it was 5% - he received the highest rating in the dept so got the only 5% wage increase. This made me so sad because that was the best he could get and that everyone else got so little. But hearing from you all that sounds pretty standard. I know he won't get the highest rating this year because you can't two years in a row. So we're probably seeing a 3-4% raise which sounds great compared to what a lot of you are experiencing. So sorry... What makes DHs company great is the yearly bonus. This year it was 12% of his salary. Without that he would leave because his salary is under the industry standard. What kind of bonuses do you all get?
Originally Posted By junglejoy Just have to add that the bonus last year paid for our WDW trip. This year it's doing a sub-for-santa family and saving to replace our almost 12 yr old car...
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I managed a 10% bonus this year, so that was cool. But bonuses were rare. Sadly it doesn't matter as they are closing my business unit in 11 days. We are not being laid off, but I have been asked to manage our public sector consultancy business and retain my social service expertise. It's going to be a challenge.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I managed a 10% bonus this year, so that was cool.<< Same here. >>But bonuses were rare.<< Yup. No guarantee that there will be one next year. Also, the company is moving away from the term "bonus" to "variable pay", with the implication that we shouldn't expect pay raises to be part of the compensation package anymore. This is problematic for rank and file employees. If an executive doesn't get a bonus on a particluar year it doesn't mean that he has to do without something (vacation, orthodontics for the kids, etc.). When a big shot gets a bonus, he can buy a mansion in Vail with it. It would be nice if I could pay off my mortgage with my bonus, but that isn't likely to happen. What is funny is that the day after the bonuses were anounced they discounted the TV's and PCs at the employee store.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Sadly it doesn't matter as they are closing my business unit in 11 days. We are not being laid off<< Count your blessings. Others are not so lucky.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <What makes DHs company great is the yearly bonus. This year it was 12% of his salary. Without that he would leave because his salary is under the industry standard. < then it's hardly a bonus, it is a part of what industry standard wages are that is withheld by the company dependent upon their own success rate... a true bonus plan ( likely execs only) is truly a profit sharing plan over and above what your wages should be....very few people actually have those. this is also more and more standard op procedure...then what happens - they start to limit the top end of that bonus...and after you're there 20 + years you may have golden handcuffs ( in that you cannot make what you earn elsewhere to start ) - None of this is new news and HR departments ( comp & ben) have been using for years. Just like they did with the lines " you may not make as much here but look at the great pension plan" - then when they cancel the pension plan you realize you worked years for less than what you were worth...
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>then it's hardly a bonus, it is a part of what industry standard wages are that is withheld by the company dependent upon their own success rate...<< Exactly. You only get paid what you are worth if the company sales and profits exceed all expectations.
