I work with several JWs. I am not in the same department, but work in admin there. Anyway, their manager just can't understand why it is ok for them to accept the *Christmas Bonus* She views it as hypocrisy in light of their decision to not participate in other holiday stuff. My viewpoint is that is a bonus for a year of job well done, and we just conveniently do this at Christmas time. But it is not a merit bonus, everyone gets the same as a *gift* from the owner of the company. Typically they are very forthcoming and open when explaining reasons for their faith based decisions, but this one renders them silent. So the question they can't (or won't) answer, is why is it ok to accept a Christmas Bonus, but not a Christmas card?
Thank you for your answers and your help!!
2007-12-18 14:44:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, does it say "christmas bonus" on the paycheck when that time comes around? If so, they would not accept it. Or is it a yearly 'end-of-year' bonus that is given out each year that typically people around the office refer to as a "christmas bonus"? There's a big difference in accepting it depending on what it's actually called by the company on the paycheck as opposed to what the other employees call it. If it's straight-out a "christmas" gift, then they would not accept it by any means, the same as if someone tried to give them a christmas card. For example, where I work we get a yearly bonus at the end of November (formerly it was towards late December) and while we mainly refer to it (even on the check) as the "annual bonus", you will still have those people who call it their "christmas bonus". You just can't get away from that, but the company refers to it as an "annual bonus" and so as such, I willingly accept it.
It's not a "justification", it's a clarification.
2007-12-18 14:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by X 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
(Sigh) I'll have to rise to the Jehovah's Witness' defense here, and say that it's not a Christmas bonus, to be politically correct. It's a negotiated extra payment from a business entity that does not recognize anything but what the CEOs tell it to do. This means money and time off, the fact that they happen on or around holidays is up to the leadership, not the religion. JWs have negotiated the bonus. They don't need the card.
2007-12-19 04:29:17 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A Christmas Card is because of Christmas
A Christmas Bonus is given at the End of the year in the month of December and is just Called a Christmas Bonus because of the time it's given.
Meant for a whole year not just a day
2007-12-18 15:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by mw 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The extra payment is for a job well done over the whole year. It just happens to be paid at christmas time. It really is not paid JUST BECAUSE IT IS CHRISTMAS. If that were so, then incompetent employees would qualify, regardless of their performance.
J.W's always do a thorough job for whoever they work for. They earn the bonus. It is up to the boss to decide if the bonus should be paid.
2007-12-18 15:27:56 · answer #4 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The manager is trivial. A year end bonus is paid for work done...not religion practiced. The manager needs to get a life and stop messing with employees, unless she wants to go through an EEOC investigation based on religious discrimination. She'd best watch her step with employees under her management. That any employee chooses to accept or decline a bonus is none of her business.
2007-12-18 15:00:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
It is like you would ask why Jehovah's Witnesses don't work for holidays when the rest of their fellow employees are on vacation.
Christmas has its roots in ancient pagan festivals. Sincere Christians such as Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate it, thus they do not receive Christmas cards.
“The birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began its return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated the dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun).” -- New Catholic Encyclopedia
“Pope Liberius [in the fourth century] decided to absorb pagan observances by declaring Dec. 25 the official birthday of Jesus. The change of name made little change in form.” -- New York Times
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20001215/article_01.htm
2007-12-18 22:48:47 · answer #6 · answered by Alex 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why do they call it a Christmas bonus anyway? Are they going to give Jewish people a hard time about it too? Or Atheists?
If she's going to think that way, then she shouldn't be giving away bonuses that are conditional to a person's religious beliefs anyway.
2007-12-18 14:50:55 · answer #7 · answered by Priscilla B 5 · 7⤊ 2⤋
You should not except the bonus. Give it to toys for tots. Otherwise the great curse of receiving a free gift of love will fall upon you.
2007-12-18 14:56:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
wink is right. if it's a christmas gift, they won't take it, if they do they aren't following the religion correctly. one of my friends in grade school was a witness and she wouldn't take any cupcakes or candy when people brought them in on their birthdays, or at any holiday.
m is also right, it's none of anyone's business if they take it or not.
2007-12-18 15:01:29 · answer #9 · answered by halloweenie 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have respect for this boss for turning down their Christmas bonus.
2007-12-18 14:51:50 · answer #10 · answered by meissen97 6 · 1⤊ 5⤋