I accepted an offer from Ernst & Young recently. I spoke to a friend of mine who also accepted an offer from the same firm, but with a different department. I found out that he got a signing bonus of $5,000, which was $5,000 more than I got.

I really want to call and ask them why I did not get a signing bonus, but do not know if that is very professional. What do you guys think?

 

If it's not the same department or even the same or very similar position I would probably not ask but that's just me. Typically it's frowned upon in corporate America to discuss compensation with co-workers and especially to use that as leverage to negotiate. Congrats on the new job though, I'm sure you can move up and make that money back quickly.

 

Yeah, good point about using it as leverage to negotiate. I guess I should just let it go and make the best out of it. It's ONLY $5,000 right?

Maybe I can move up and make enough money to buy an Elise.

 

Maybe he got the bonus because he can spell the name of the firm correctly.

 

I can't believe I put the extra e. I always do that.

Not having an "e" between the "n" and the "t" just isn't grammatically correct. Darn English people.

 

Generally bonuses are taxed something like 36% too so it's really only $3,200

 

That makes me feel a bit better.

 

but his is taxed the same so it almost cancels out haha

 

While everyone does it, it is typically against corp. policy to share compensation information. Therefore, you can't (shouldn't) admit you know.

Note: Anyone with industrial engineering/design experience want to come to Tyler and work for CBI? There is a signing and referal bonus program and I could use more staff. CBI in Tyler designs and builds oil and gas refinery components and systems. Seriously. PM me.

Al

 

Did your friend have to relocate to take the job? When I took my job in Dallas, I received a $3000 "relocation allowance". That was pretty much cash in my pocket, because I was living in Austin at the time, everything I owned fit in my car (so I didn't have to rent a U-Haul), and I was planning to move back to Dallas anyway because my family is all here.