Sign-on Bonus Question

ainz · Jul 29, 2003

I have found that many, many things in this life are negotiable. There is a company that offers courses in negotiating, his slogan is "you don't get what you deserve, you get what you can negotiate."

In my experiences in interviewing and hiring people, some are excellent negotiators and ask for things like sign-on bonuses when they aren't being offered, ask for extra vacation time, continuing ed benefits, etc. Successful people will "sell" themselves and their skills and ask for something extra in return. They do not approach with the attitude of "please give me a job," they come in with the attitude of "I have some highly sought after skills and knowledge, I can bring things to your organization, here's what I want and here's what you will get in return." You will be surprised what you can get by taking this approach in a professional, confident, non-arrogant manner and by simply asking for things.

What does this have to do with your initial post? Sign-on bonuses are just that. They are highly negotiable. Each person can and does negotiate their own package, there is no cutter-cutter deal most of the time unless the company/organization is very rigid or locked into something because of a bargaining or union arrangement.

I think sign-on bonuses are nice. I always ask for one even if they aren't advertising them. I always ask for lots of stuff and get most of it. You get nothing if you don't ask. If you want a sign-on bonus, think of how you want it on your terms, ask for that, then negotiate from there until you get what you can live with. If you don't like the "strings" attached to a bonus, then don't take it, they will hire you without the bonus.

Good luck with it.

bagladyrn, RN · Jul 29, 2003

To see what that sign on bonus is really worth, take the number of hours you are obligated for (usualy 1 - 2 years worth) and divide it into that figure. It usually comes out to a dollar or two an hour more at most. Now ask yourself if you would be willing to take the job, with all the obligation and restrictions that go with the bonus if it were simply being offered at that wage, rather than a lump sum. If not, I wouldn't go there.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2003

Originally posted by bagladyrn
To see what that sign on bonus is really worth, take the number of hours you are obligated for (usualy 1 - 2 years worth) and divide it into that figure. It usually comes out to a dollar or two an hour more at most. Now ask yourself if you would be willing to take the job, with all the obligation and restrictions that go with the bonus if it were simply being offered at that wage, rather than a lump sum. If not, I wouldn't go there.

Wow, what a great way of thinking about that!! It seems like so much more money when you just say the dollar amount as opposed to how much it will be divided over the length of the committment. I accepted a position with a sign-on bonus, but I am going to be working there because I just really like the hospital. I turned down a larger sign on bonus elsewhere.

MishlB · Jul 30, 2003

Well, I don't have an obligation, and I didn't know about it until after I was hired. My benefots are great, and I am not temporary. Why does everyone get so negative? And I am not being a martyr, just expressing that ANY JOB that you take for the money alone, will leave you UNHAPPY....

Chrislynn2003 · Jul 30, 2003

I was hired as a new grad to work in the OR. The job starts this September and I still have to sign the contract next month (Aug.)which states that I have to work in that hospital for 2 years or I will owe the hospital $5000 if I break the contract. No sign on bonus was mentioned though at the point of hiring, just a commitment to work for 2 years.

Christine

Chrislynn2003 · Jul 30, 2003

I forgot to mention that the benefits are great. I get free medical and dental insurance, so that is worth more to me than a sign on bonus. The starting pay is great too, so I don't really need a sign on bonus.

Christine

ainz · Jul 30, 2003

To see what the sign-on bonus is really worth, look within yourself and what your needs, likes, and dislikes are. There is your answer.

nursejanr · Jul 30, 2003

Hello I agree with the sign on bonus it was a nice incintive and it was given by a large hospital you do have to agree with a year of employment and all other benifits stayed te same .

It worked out for me and they even paid for relocation to the city after I decided to stay.

:eek:

Noney · Jul 30, 2003

Christine

Do not sign that contract. You should not owe money for quitting if you weren't given a sign on bonus to start.

Maybe you misunderstood and there is a sign on bonus.

babs_rn · Jul 30, 2003

I had to pay back the portion of my bonus I had received when I could just not stand to continue at one hospital I had worked for. But here's the catch. The bonus had been tacked onto my paycheck which threw me into some tax bracket in outer space...the $1750 I received and had to pay back? I only got to see $900 of it in the first place!

babs_rn · Jul 30, 2003

Originally posted by Chrislynn2003
I was hired as a new grad to work in the OR. The job starts this September and I still have to sign the contract next month (Aug.)which states that I have to work in that hospital for 2 years or I will owe the hospital $5000 if I break the contract. No sign on bonus was mentioned though at the point of hiring, just a commitment to work for 2 years.

Christine

WHAT THE...?!?!?!

There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with THAT picture! Look into it NOW and as stated above, do NOT sign a contract with THOSE terms....that's way too expensive if it becomes unbearable for you to work there, or if your needs change and you can't take call or fulfill OR expectations or just change your mind once you get "in the mix".... I have NEVER heard of such a thing unless there's a bonus attached to it...and as stated above, don't expect to see but about half of that bonus after it's taxed....

rncopper · Jul 31, 2003

Yes, I have heard of the "$5000 for 2 years and if you quit you pay it back". It was usually associated with training a person in a speciality they were not proficient in. That included new grads or someone going into ICU from Med-surg. New employees, that is.

So, yes, it is done. But I wouldn't do it!! :confused: