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My dad has been working 15 yrs for this big company (I'm not sure if I should name them) and recently they've instituted a safety self-report to the way they calculate an employee's bonus. In past years this hasn't been the case, and for those he's made upwards of 3k at times. But now with the new self-report requirement my dad, who isn't good at English, has made less than half of what he use to. There is justification for a complaint here because in the 15 years he's worked there he has never had an accident. The self-report is even more dubious considering some of the people my dad works with, white guys with good English and an imperfect safety record, are making the regular 3k for the bonus this year while other employees, who did not fill out a safety report, are, honestly, ripped off. My dad puts in extra hours and is very hard-working, but this recent incident has discouraged him from trying his usual best. I didn't want to go directly to the company because the claim is inherently biased, but the facts are there. Also he wants me to go in with some kind of prejudicial stance, claiming discriminatory practices against those with less than proficient English (foreigners), which does sound too caustic but if it comes to that...I would love to hear any thoughts you guys might have about this.
I would say that he probably should not risk his job, or future bonuses with a complaint. Even if he has facts, the bonuses are not really that much, an attorney would eat up 3K in no time. I say that because you would need an attorney, and most attorneys are not going to get involved with such a low amount.
I do not doubt that your father deserves a bonus, but just making a big deal of a small amount could do more damage than it is worth. You have to sort of sit back, let things settle down, and move on. The company can make any complaint seem trivial, and as long as the company does not violate any of the five protected categories, they can simply fire your father for any reason, really. Don't risk it.
In 15 years he hasn't been able to pick up good English? That shows laziness in professional development. Maybe his stubborn attitude against learning English is to blame for no bonus.
If l, as you say, he did not get a full bonus because he didn't fill out the safety reports, then he has only himself to blame. It matters not if other employees have a bad or worse safety record, he did not full what is needed of him as outline by the requirements to get the full bonus.
Get a lawyer if you want to fight it, but expect to pay for it. It will eat away at that bonus in just a few hours. You might have him get some legal advice for English as second language citizens. I am sure there is a program like that. Maybe ask in the legal section here on CD.
Also, filling out paperwork is part of the job. Why not help your father learn how to fill it out correctly so he can get bonuses in the future.
Hard work, honesty, and diligence are not going to get him a bonus if he doesn't fill out the required paperwork. Big business is full of red tape and requirements that may seem silly, but they deem meaningful.
Why would you be complaining instead of your father? As you noted, he is not filling out his safety sheets, so he is not doing all of his job. How does a guy who has been working here for at least 15 years still have poor English skills? A bonus is just that.
Your Dad needs to figure that out. Play the game. Go above and beyond what is expected in areas where management is "watching". If safety reports are important, I would be the best damned safety report preparer in the land.
Kiss some butt. Make yourself an important part of the process. Suddenly bonuses and promotions will follow.
How does a guy who has been working here for at least 15 years still have poor English skills?
It happens and not just to immigrants. I know people who were born here and lived here their entire lives and still can't write a report in English. If you've been working with your hands for your whole life and suddenly you get required to write-up a lot of things, that's a very rough transition even if the writing is in a language you have used your whole life.
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Not worth the time/risk...
