Robert Half Survey Breaks Down Bonuses
Bonus cheques may be a little bigger this year, particularly in technology, a Robert Half survey has found. Seventeen per cent of executives whose companies awarded bonuses last year said they expect staff members to be awarded higher bonuses this time around. Within technology, nearly four in ten (38 per cent) chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed anticipate increased employee bonus levels in 2011. Across all professions, the majority of executives, 62 per cent, expect no changes, while just 10 per cent of respondents believe their firms will offer lower bonuses this year.
The survey was developed by Robert Half International and conducted by an independent research firm. It is based on telephone interviews with nearly 500 senior executives throughout Canada who indicated their firms offered employee bonuses last year. The respondents included chief financial officers, CIOs, senior human resources managers, lawyers, and advertising and marketing executives.
Executives whose companies gave bonuses last year were asked, “Do you anticipate that year-end employee bonuses this year will be higher, lower or unchanged from those awarded last year?” Their responses:
---------------------------------------------------------------- Higher Lower No Change Don't Know/ No Answer ---------------------------------------------------------------- Total 17% 10% 62% 11% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Technology 38% 4% 45% 14% * ---------------------------------------------------------------- Legal 24% 11% 56% 9% ---------------------------------------------------------------- Advertising & Marketing 20% 12% 52% 15% * ---------------------------------------------------------------- Accounting & Finance 17% 14% 56% 14% * ---------------------------------------------------------------- Human Resources 14% 7% 72% 7% ---------------------------------------------------------------- *Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.
“Despite the uncertain economy, some organisations want to recognize their employees’ hard work by offering higher bonuses,” said Lara Dodo, a Canadian regional vice-president of Robert Half. “If awarding bonuses is not a viable option, non-monetary perks, such as flexible work hours and telecommuting options, can also carry great appeal.”
Additional information on employee compensation, including starting salary projections for the coming year is available in the new 2011 SalaryGuide.