Bonus payments are additional remuneration that workers receive twice a year, usually in the summer and at Christmas, as part of their salary.
In this article, we will explain in detail what these payments are, when they are paid and how to calculate the amount.
The extra payments, The "special payments", also known as bonus payments, are additional amounts to the basic salary that are paid to workers at two specific times of the year: summer and Christmas.
These payments are provided for by the law and collective bargaining agreements in Spain, and is intended to provide financial relief during periods of high expenditure, such as summer holidays or Christmas parties.
The calculation and the way in which the extra payments are received vary depending on the type of contract and what is agreed in the collective agreement or with the company. There are mainly two ways in which these payments can be managed.
In this case, the total amount of the bonus payments is distributed over the 12 months of the year. This means that the worker receives a proportional part of these payments each month, together with his or her regular salary. Thus, instead of receiving two large payments in summer and Christmas, the extra payments are «diluted» in the monthly salaries.
In the traditional mode, the extra payments are paid at two specific times of the year, generally at June or July for the summer bonus, and in December for the Christmas bonus. In this case, the worker receives his or her usual monthly salary and, in the months indicated, an extra amount corresponding to a full salary. This system is more typical in contracts of indefinite duration or in certain sectors that maintain this tradition.
The summer bonus is usually paid in June or July, depending on the collective agreement or individual agreement between the worker and the employer. This allowance is intended to help workers meet summer expenses, especially during the holidays.
On the other hand, the Christmas bonus usually paid in December, The exact date may vary depending on the labour agreement. The exact date may vary depending on the labour agreement, but in most cases, workers receive it between 20 and 25 December.
For many workers, it is essential to know how this amount is calculated. The calculation of bonus payments can depend on a number of factors, such as basic salary, salary supplements and type of contract. If the bonus payments are not pro-rated, they are divided into two parts and paid at the times mentioned above.
In addition to traditional bonus payments, companies can offer their employees additional benefits such as the Gift Cards, which represent a form of extra compensation, especially popular during the holiday season.
A common example is the Edenred Gift Card, which allows employees to use the balance in a wide variety of shops.
This type of benefit is an excellent complement to the Christmas bonus, since it offers flexibility and allows the worker to choose how and where to spend their bonus, This enhances motivation and well-being within the working environment.