It’s January. Which means we’re in the lame duck period for year end bonuses. Earned but not yet paid.

 

With that comes complications. Some companies are bracing for post-bonus churn. Others are offering sign-on bonuses to jump the line and get the talent they need now.

 

And of course, some companies were beat up so bad in 2023 that bonuses went out the window. There’s the Haves and the Have-Nots.

 

Meanwhile, the real question: how effective is the yearly bonus model for retention anyway?

Jeff Smith and James Hornick kick off the new year with episode 80 of The 10 Minute Talent Rant, “Do Bonuses Buy Loyalty?”