Bonus pay Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bonus pay

[ˈboʊnəs peɪ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

salary

Extra payment in addition to regular salary, often given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive.

Synonyms

bonus salary, extra compensation, incentive pay.

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Word Description / Examples
bonus pay

Used in a general sense to refer to any additional payment given to employees, often as a reward for good performance or as part of a company's compensation plan.

  • Employees received bonus pay for exceeding their sales targets.
  • The end-of-year bonus pay was higher than expected.
incentive pay

Specifically used to describe payment meant to motivate or encourage employees to achieve specific targets or performance goals.

  • The company introduced incentive pay to boost productivity.
  • Incentive pay schemes were implemented to reduce absenteeism.
bonus salary

Less commonly used, but can refer to an additional amount added to a regular salary, typically as a one-time event.

  • She was thrilled with her bonus salary this year.
  • The company announced a bonus salary for all its staff.
extra compensation

A more formal term that can apply to any additional payment or benefit outside regular wages or salary, such as overtime, bonuses, or other incentives.

  • Extra compensation was offered for employees working on holidays.
  • The role comes with potential for extra compensation based on project success.

Examples of usage

  • Employees receive bonus pay for exceeding sales targets.
  • She was thrilled to see the bonus pay in her paycheck.
  • The company offers bonus pay as a motivation for employees to work harder.
Context #2 | Verb

compensation

To give extra payment to someone in addition to their regular salary, usually as a reward or incentive.

Synonyms

incentivize with additional compensation, reward with extra pay.

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Word Description / Examples
bonus pay

This term is commonly used in corporate settings to refer to extra monetary compensation given to employees for various reasons, such as exceeding performance targets or reaching sales goals.

  • Employees who exceed their quarterly sales targets are eligible for bonus pay.
  • The company offers bonus pay at the end of the year to all its employees.
reward with extra pay

This phrase is straightforward and can be used in both conversational and formal contexts. It highlights the idea of giving additional money as a form of appreciation or recognition for good work.

  • We decided to reward John with extra pay for his outstanding performance on the project.
  • Employees who contribute to significant improvements will be rewarded with extra pay.
incentivize with additional compensation

This phrase is often used in management and HR contexts to describe the strategy of motivating employees to perform better by offering them extra money. This is more formal and is typically found in policy documents or managerial discussions.

  • To boost productivity, management decided to incentivize with additional compensation.
  • The new policy aims to incentivize with additional compensation for those who take on extra projects.

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to bonus pay its employees for their hard work.
  • They bonus pay their top performers to encourage continued success.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'bonus' comes from Latin, meaning 'good' or 'generous', reflecting the positive nature associated with additional rewards.
  • In ancient Rome, soldiers received extra pay, or bonuses, for outstanding service, which set a precedent for rewarding hard work.
  • The practice of bonus pay became formalized in the business world during the late 19th century, particularly amid increasing competition among companies.

Economics

  • Bonus pay can motivate employees to perform better, as it aligns their interests with the success of the company.
  • Economists often examine bonuses in the context of incentive structures, evaluating how they influence productivity and workplace culture.
  • In some industries, bonuses can make up a large part of an employee's total earnings, impacting salary negotiations and job satisfaction.

Pop Culture

  • Bonus pay frequently appears in movies and TV shows as a key motivation for characters trying to achieve success in their jobs.
  • Popular songs sometimes reference bonuses indirectly, celebrating hard work and the rewards that come alongside it.
  • Many companies use 'bonus' as a catchy marketing term to attract top talent, highlighting their reward structures in recruitment campaigns.

Psychology

  • Research shows that receiving a bonus can increase job satisfaction and employee retention rates, as it boosts morale.
  • The psychology of reward suggests that when individuals perceive their efforts are recognized through bonuses, they are likely to engage more fully in their work.
  • Some studies argue that excessive focus on bonuses can lead to unhealthy competition among coworkers, negatively affecting teamwork.

Literature

  • Literary works often discuss the implications of bonuses, portraying characters who either thrive or struggle due to their pursuit of financial incentives.
  • In fiction, themes of greed and ambition frequently arise around the concept of bonuses, illustrating the moral dilemmas that can accompany wealth.
  • Classic novels often depict the pursuit of monetary rewards, reflecting societal values and conflicts surrounding work and compensation.

Origin of 'bonus pay'

The term 'bonus pay' originated in the early 19th century, combining the word 'bonus,' meaning an extra or additional reward, with 'pay,' referring to monetary compensation for work. Bonus pay has become a common practice in many industries to incentivize employees and reward exceptional performance.