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At the  Workplace John Manzongo
It is that time of the year that everyone, whether rich or poor has been waiting for. It is Christmas time once more.  Though priorities and wishes have changed, everyone still looks forward to the holidays and the goodies that it brings. I recall the Christmas period during my childhood days, it was so special because it was the time we would get new clothes, new shoes, various presents and gifts.

Those days, the economy was stable and employers used to value the efforts of their workers such that no one would doubt if ever they were going to receive their bonuses or 13th cheque, as it is fondly known.

As I was just doing my survey around the various sectors of industry — construction, engineering, manufacturing, hotel and catering, retailing, food and beverages, public sector or civil service — I realised the prospects of the workers in getting their bonuses are mixed owing to a number of reasons. Government as the biggest employer, has a huge responsibility to pay civil servants’ bonuses and it has since shown commitment by paying part of its workforce and promising the same for the remainder.

Despite the tough economic times central Government has in the past years honoured its promise to reward civil servants. The hope is that Government will honour its pledge.

The private sector is waiting at a distance, watching the unfolding events like a hawk waiting for the slightest opportunity to strike.
Employers are anxiously waiting to see how the biggest employer is going to handle its children so they can take advantage to default on bonuses in as much as they are pocketing huge profits, which management usually spend lavishly by going on expensive holidays, fully paid for by the company.

One recent event that quickly comes to mind is of a company boss who feasted while employees went for months without getting paid. How can a boss continue to receive such outrageous benefits while his subordinates struggle to acquire even the basics?

One labour expert from the employer’s side said the issue of paying out bonuses to workers in the private sector might have a mixed trend owing to different financial status of companies in these times of economic hardships.

He, however, highlighted that there are many companies which are performing well but would just want to join the bandwagon of being cry babies.

Some private companies have already started issuing out warning shots to their employees indicating they will not be able to pay bonuses yet the situation on the ground is showing otherwise.

If a company fails to pay bonuses to its workers, the feeling must not just be from management but must be felt everywhere up to the least or less important worker.

Just like in a properly run household, parents do not struggle to tell their children that things are not well financially because naturally the children will see that our parents are struggling and they will do their best to augment them.

At times you even hear the children saying “dad and mum please do not buy us clothes for Christmas this year, invest the money for our January school fees because we can see things are hard”  this is so because everything will be run transparently and they will be feeling sorry and feel obliged to contribute or play a role.

Awarding bonuses to employees actually motivates them to work even harder in the assumption that if they perform well again they might get a raise which they never get anyway but it would be to the advantage of the company.