In this episode of How to Survive Your Boss, Kiana and Tara dive deep into the world of BONUSES — those elusive one-time payouts that can make (or break) your morale and finances. From performance and sign-on bonuses to holiday gifts and red flags, this episode covers it all. Kiana shares insights from her experience as both an employee and a boss, revealing truths most companies don’t tell you. Whether you're negotiating your first job offer or navigating end-of-year reviews, this episode is your go-to guide for making sense of bonus structures — and making sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

💸 Not all bonuses are created equal — Learn the difference between performance, profit-sharing, sign-on, retention, spot, referral, and discretionary bonuses.

📉 Bonuses aren’t guaranteed — Even if it’s written in your offer letter, it’s often still “discretionary.”

📆 Timing is everything — You usually have to be employed at the time of payout to receive your bonus.

📋 Know the fine print — Watch out for vague language, ever-changing structures, unrealistic goals, and stock-based bonuses with long vesting periods.

🔍 Ask smart questions — Always clarify how bonuses are calculated, who decides them, when they’re paid, and what’s expected of you.

🚩 Red flags to avoid — From inconsistent bonus criteria to “pizza party” culture instead of real compensation, recognize the signs of poor leadership.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Bonuses

00:55 Types of Bonuses

01:06 Performance and Profit Sharing Bonuses

02:53 Sign-On and Retention Bonuses

04:28 Spot and Holiday Bonuses

05:48 Referral and Discretionary Bonuses

07:39 Understanding Bonus Structures

09:43 Boss's Perspective on Bonuses

17:49 Common Misconceptions About Bonuses

25:40 Red Flags in Bonus Agreements

26:09 Understanding Vague Contract Language

26:59 Historical Payouts and Red Flags

28:08 Employment Status and Bonus Payouts

32:25 Discretionary Bonuses and Criteria

37:07 Company Performance-Based Bonuses

38:12 Transparency and Timelines

39:24 Equity and Stock-Based Bonuses

47:30 Changing Bonus Structures

48:46 Final Thoughts on Bonuses