Is it unethical to wait on getting bonus before giving notice? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Seems pretty normal in biglaw but certain nonlawyer friends are asking why I wouldn’t tell them now. Assume I would work through bonus payout either way (ie, telling them now or waiting till payout).

I realize this a dumb question but I’m over analyzing the fallout I might experience once I tell my firm
I’m leaving.

[Anonymous User]

Lol no. It's a purely commercial relationship.

[Anonymous User]

Lol no. It's a purely commercial relationship.

[shock259]

If your timetable allows it, I would wait until the bonus hits your bank account before telling them. If they don't pay you, you have pretty much no recourse. Doesn't seem worth the risk.

[bk1]

Are your friends boomers who haven't realized how employment relationships have changed over the last 50 years?

[ggocat]

Lol no

[blahblewblah]

You have earned your bonus because of work you have done the past year. Nothing unethical about collecting compensation you are entitled to for the work you did.

[star fox]

It's in the industry norm, don't get why that would be problematic.

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Lol your friends shouldn't have to be lawyers to be ok with this.

100%, in any corporate environment you wait as long as possible before telling the company your intentions. Don't risk your bonus or your job being a nice person, if it's within the compulsory notice window wait until after bonuses

[how11015]

If the bonus was for future work, they'd have a service obligation attached to it. Since it doesn't, it's merely for the job you've done so far. Not unethical at all.

[stephcurry]

If one were to give their notice before the bonus hit, would firms not give the bonus?

[bk1]

If one were to give their notice before the bonus hit, would firms not give the bonus?

If it's blackbox, then who knows what they would do. If it's lockstep and you hit hours, I doubt it.

But in either case, why risk it?

[whats an updog]

I audibly laughed when I read this thread title

[stonge42]

Seems pretty normal in biglaw but certain nonlawyer friends are asking why I wouldn’t tell them now. Assume I would work through bonus payout either way (ie, telling them now or waiting till payout).

I realize this a dumb question but I’m over analyzing the fallout I might experience once I tell my firm
I’m leaving.

You're right, this is a dumb question and you have dumb friends. Big law is not your friend.

User outed for anon abuse.

[1styearlateral]

Seems pretty normal in biglaw but certain nonlawyer friends are asking why I wouldn’t tell them now. Assume I would work through bonus payout either way (ie, telling them now or waiting till payout).

I realize this a dumb question but I’m over analyzing the fallout I might experience once I tell my firm
I’m leaving.

You're right, this is a dumb question and you have dumb friends. Big law is not your friend.

Not as dumb as posting this nonsense as anon.

[lolwat]

It would be crazy in biglaw to give notice before getting the bonus and risk not getting it.

I am more torn when it comes to small firms where things can be a lot more personal. If I liked the people at a smaller firm, I would probably risk giving up the money and also give notice earlier than the standard 2 weeks.

[SFSpartan]

If you give notice before your bonus is paid, there's a chance you won't get it. There is also nothing unethical about waiting to get your bonus before giving notice. Just wait until the bonus hits your bank account.