For example, a salesperson who exceeded their quarterly target by 20 percent might receive a higher bonus than someone who just met their goal. Consistently applying the same criteria builds trust and ensures the system is equitable.
A performance bonus is a financial reward for meeting or exceeding goals. It boosts motivation, retention, and productivity while aligning employee efforts with company objectives.
A common structure is tiered bonuses. Here, employees can achieve different "levels" of bonuses based on their performance metrics. For instance, reaching 80% of a target might secure a smaller bonus, while achieving 120% may earn a significantly larger one.
Some common examples of performance bonuses include: Commission-based bonus: Common in sales roles, employees earn a percentage of sales they generate. For instance, a car salesperson might earn a commission for each car sold.
Bonuses are additional incentives offered to employees on top of their regular salary, often aimed at increasing productivity and enhancing employee retention. Most bonuses can be categorized as either discretionary (not guaranteed) or nondiscretionary (guaranteed, as shown in your employment contract).
Some businesses might base their bonus structure on the overall performance of the company, giving managers a percentage of the profit. Others may take a more individual approach, looking at each manager's performance and contribution to the business, perhaps in cutting costs or in increasing business.
Bonuses are considered “supplemental wages” by the IRS, which means that they're often taxed at a higher rate than your regular paycheck in one of two ways: At a flat rate of 22%: Employers usually choose this method to streamline taxes and avoid taking too large a cut from employees' paychecks.
Allocate bonuses to each division or work group. Give each employee in a certain group -- for example, the administration division -- the same bonus. This method rewards and encourages cohesive group performance, but rewards non-performing team members at the same level as the hardest workers.