[phatskat]

My last job had a bonus structure of “everyone gets $X each year, as a percentage of yearly profit, based on time worked at the company up to a year”. On average my bonus was about $8k - no strings, no requirements. If you started that year, your bonus was prorated.

My current position is merit-based - over the year you have several goals you set with your manager like learning something new and presenting it to the team, attending a trade conference, etc. Yearly bonus is x% of around $15k, and that % is based on how many of those goals you accomplished.

Both systems feel tangible, and the rewards feel like they’re worth it. The former being completely without any requirement was really nice, and also I don’t mind having self-improvement and professional learning goals to work towards for a sizable bonus.