What Happens When Your Dev Bonus Gets Cancelled?
Photo by Jingming Pan on Unsplash
There’s an unspoken agreement between devs and their employers. As a hard-working (ha!) software developer you give a little bit extra to your employer in return for the promise of mutual benefit.
Work hard, and get rewarded.
This is a social contract grounded in trust, respect, and mutual benefit. That’s why The Secret Developer has concerns about how employers see this contract as a one-way street and are abusing their developers given any opportunity.
Broken Promises (and Hearts)
I’ve seen utter disillusionment hit devs at bonus time. At the end of 12 months of dedicated work (and a positive performance review), a company can suddenly decide that a bonus payment is to be cut or outright cancelled.
During a conversation this week with another dev, they were indifferent. It’s not a contractual right to get a bonus, so why should people complain?
The point is after countless hours, foregoing personal time a bonus is cancelled at the eleventh hour. It’s a gut punch, a blatant disregard for the effort and sacrifices made throughout the year.
Ripple Effects
This practice does more than just sting financially.
Companies erode trust, dampen morale, and foster an uncertain environment. Devs become skeptical about what is required and the rewards that they might get for doing more than the minimum.
Employers should be worth working hard for. When they remove incentives for employees after the work has taken place they send a clear message that employee contributions and well-being are secondary to the bottom line. The decline in productivity, quality, and innovation that invariably follows is entirely predictable and rather sad — especially since bonuses are designed to increase productivity, quality, and innovation.
A Call for Change
This corporate behavior exacerbates the already prevalent issues within the tech industry.
I wouldn’t usually list them like this, but just to bring them to mind for you:
the perpetuation of toxic work environments
the undervaluing of individual contributions
prioritization of immediate gains over long-term health and sustainability
With that, in mind, it’s high time for a recalibration of values within the tech community.
What would happen if companies recognized that people are their greatest assets?
A company that respected its workforce and worked to foster a culture of trust and appreciation could start sustainably developing software. Mutual respect should be part of the social contract between developers and employers. Employers need to remember that the social contract with their employees is a two-way street, where mutual respect and fulfillment of promises are paramount.
Conclusion
It’s high time for a recalibration of values within the tech community. Companies must recognize that their greatest assets are their people. Upholding commitments, respecting the workforce, and fostering a culture of trust and appreciation are non-negotiables for a thriving, innovative, and sustainable industry.
This is not just about bonuses; it’s about integrity, respect, and the fundamental principles that should underpin all professional relationships. As we navigate these challenging times, let’s remind ourselves of the value of our work, the importance of our contributions, and the respect we deserve from those who benefit from our efforts.