Christmas bonus culture comes with its own dangers

Employers must make it clear that any festive bonus is purely discretionary – and paying it only to selected staff is certain to cause discord

If an employer is giving out Christmas bonuses to all employees, regardless of rank, problems are less likely to arise. Picture: Getty

Many employers pay Christmas bonuses, partly as a reward to staff for their contribution over the past year, and partly to mark the festive season. A question that arises from time to time is whether there are any rules or restrictions governing Christmas bonuses, and where the pitfalls might be.

Nobody is going to complain about receiving a bonus, but what if your colleague receives one and you don’t? If you got a bonus in ...