Comment by arbales | Hacker News Reader

Comment by arbales | Hacker News Reader

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Really disappointed by this post. As a long time friend of Miso and the awesome people there – the people responsible for several awesome open source projects (Padrino, RABL, to name a few) – it makes me really bummed someone would choose to bring an issue up in this way.

I've never heard of a former employee receiving a bonus – referral or otherwise. The idea of a referral bonus is rewarding someone for /growing/ the team, and if you leave before that term is up, or if you leave before you file for the bonus, it's ridiculous to ask for it later – especially when you've already deflated your good will with a company. Moreover, I've not heard of people receiving a referral bonus after forgetting to claim it. I've forgotten to claim one! But I'd never think its anyone else's fault but mine, and my company is backed by an enterprise with a lot of resources.

Hey, I dunno, maybe I'm too busy putting my heart in the work to focus on stuff like this. People like the `jzhwu` whine, foster negative energy, and distract our community from focusing on good work.

Or maybe I'm just secure – financially and mentally. I don't need to squeeze money from former employers or vent my discontent because I'm focused on what I'm doing now, and what I'll do next, and how I'm growing as a designer and a person. I hope this guy discovers a more mature mindset before he does more damage to his career.

Finally, I'm also disappointed by the many people who can't see this for what it is – I assume they're the same crowd that's taking to badmouthing "brogrammers."

>> The idea of a referral bonus is rewarding someone for /growing/ the team, and if you leave before that term is up, or if you leave before you file for the bonus, it's ridiculous to ask for it later – especially when you've already deflated your good will with a company

What is the "term" that you're referring to in "leaving before the term?" From the blog post, it seems like the author "grew" the team by successfully referring an employee who stayed for minimum of 6 months, which gives him the entitlement of the 10k bonus as per email discussions.

"or if you leave before you file for the bonus"

my point is asking for a bonus for growing the team /after/ you've left, thereby shrinking the team, is kinda silly.

You are conflating different issues. The only relevant issue here is that he fulfilled his end of an agreement: to refer an employee who completes 6 months at the company. That is done, and he is owed the referral fee/bonus. Whether he left the company after he did the referral is immaterial. By default the debt the company owes him doesn't simply disappear.

imho you should revisit the term: 'referral' bonus

Why would you ever set this system up so that the employee would have to remember to claim the bonus unless you never really expect to pay it? Surely the company could very easily determine who is woed bonuses when, and automatically disburse them? Mine certainly does!

It's great for you that you don't care about $10,000 owed to you, but not everyone is in that position, and that doesn't make them worse people then you

Oh don't get me wrong, if someone actually owed me 10k, I'd totally care /and/ be aggressive about collecting, but that's not the case here.

Startups, especially small ones, need not waste time with HR infrastructure like this – they're building products. HR should be ad-hoc and people-driven. If that's a problem, there are numerous larger companies to work for that devote their time to things like that. It's not unreasonable to expect someone to ask/remind the company about their referral bonus – and if he cared that much about it, he'd have collected before he departed.

My point is – spilt milk. Move on, build other opportunities for yourself, and don't forget again :D

How is that not _exactly_ the case here? The company offers a $10k fee for referring an employee who stays 6 months. Employee refers someone who stays 6 months, but the company forgets to pay him and he forgets until a month after he quits. The company owes him $10k, and the fact that he quit is immaterial.

I don't think the naming and shaming was a very good idea, but he is absolutely owed $10k.

I've never heard of a former employee receiving a bonus – referral or otherwise.

Have you heard of former employees getting their final paychecks? That's all this is.

You're an inspiring type. Certainly hope I never need to interview with the likes of you. The guy is owed money. he should be paid, regardless of your love affair with Miso.

He's really not owed anything. He neglected to collect his referral bonus it before leaving, bummer.

It was stated in an email(contractual agreement) that referrals would earn you 10k. That agreement was met during his employment. The company should have given it to him upon completion. They failed to do so. He doesn't forfeit whats his upon departure.

It would be like you being offered an additional 10k to do something for a client/boss. You did it, shortly thereafter left but hadn't yet received your compensation. You'd be within your rights to go after them via the labour board/a lawyer. If you don't see that, I don't want to know how you treat those around you.

Did you read the article in question? Because, jeez. What the hell.

There's nothing wrong with badmouthing brogrammers, true story.

Bummer you think that, bro. Bad mouthing anyone is something we should all work to grow out of.

It's not "squeezing money." It's trying to collect what he's owed. There is nothing wrong with doing that, at all. I can't fathom why you would think that's a bad thing to do.

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