New Years Bonus

[LaReina]

What is the correct amount for a New years bonus?

For those of you who work in manufacturing, do all employees receive a months pay as a bonus?

For those of you with helpers at home, do they too receive a months pay as bonus?

And for teachers, do you also receive a months pay as a bonus?

What is politically correct or is anything written in stone here in Thailand.

[Scott]

I can't help you much on this, except that I have a number of friends who work for a large factory. They get a large bonus during the Chinese New Year. It's not a set amount, but it is a good amount.

When I worked in Hong Kong, the employers gave 1 months salary (it was known as the 13th month) for Chinese New Year.

[Mobi]

The minimum bonus is usually a month's salary. It can be more for long serving/éxceptional employees.

I pay my maids one month - if they stay with me a long time I may pay more. I also give my pool man and contract gardener the equivalent of a month's fees - which goes to them, not their company.

BTW my brother in law and his wife, who work at a factory near Amata City, went on strike a couple of weeks ago, because they were told their bonuses would be cut back this year. Not sure of the outcome, but they're back at work.

These people are paid so little, it would be very cheap skate of us not to give them a bit of happiness for their New Year

Edited January 3, 2007 by Mobi D'Ark

[LaReina]

Fopund a topic under the Chiang Mai forum and the real estate forum. Would link it but do not know how.

Thanks all for posting..

[cdnvic]

This is a good thing to remember in November as alot of your staff will be counting on these bonuses to fund family new year celebrations, and /or travel. If you forgot you may want to really make it worth their wait.

[petecooper]

Is this January 1st type New Year you're referring to or "Songkran" Thai New Year? When should the bonus be given?

[samtam]

I forgot to pay my maid her 13th month at the end of December, (as I thought I paid her the 13th month on her 1 year anniversary in March), but she reminded me, as it was the custom I had followed the previous year, and I was happy to reward her again this year. my understanding that it is the custom with maids, providing you are satisfied and want her to continue working for you.

[pumpuiman]

Is this January 1st type New Year you're referring to or "Songkran" Thai New Year? When should the bonus be given?

I believe they are talking about Jan 1st. Christmas would be a good time to think about bonuses....to allow time for plans to be made with the extra cash.

[Naam]

I forgot to pay my maid her 13th month at the end of December, (as I thought I paid her the 13th month on her 1 year anniversary in March), but she reminded me, as it was the custom I had followed the previous year, and I was happy to reward her again this year. my understanding that it is the custom with maids, providing you are satisfied and want her to continue working for you.

an interesting topic. i employ a maid, a gardener and a driver, all three of them fulltime since march last year. nobody has ever told us that a 13th salary is customary.

Edited January 3, 2007 by Dr. Naam

[marshbags]

My neighbour has worked for a busy local clinic 7 days a week. ( over 10 years )

She,s does many things in the clinic / house and stays there full time overseeing the security ect. when they take a holiday.

One is usually for 2 weeks abroad and then several others on certain weekends.

During this time she is given many jobs to do and even gardening ( not basic watering. )

Her monthly salary is 7,000 a month and she earns every baht of it.

As it,s xmas / new year they gave her a very generous bonus of 200 baht as a show of appreciation.

Yes a whopping two hundred baht

Needless to say she is heartbroken at such a show of her worth to them and is well upset.

Unfortunately she cannot afford to leave as work is hard to come by due to the local economical situation.

I never fail to be amazed at how greedy many of the Puyai are and their disregard for loyalty towards these less well off who need every baht they can earn, just to pay the bills.

As i remarked to my wife, he would make more than that in individual doctors fees.

It,s beyond my comprehension I have to say.

Scrooge and humbug come to mind, along with a feeling of sadness for such a hard working individual.

marshbags

Edited January 3, 2007 by marshbags