Timeline for In what countries/programs is a graduate student bonus common?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
9 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Dec 15, 2020 at 6:26 | comment | added | JonathanReez | @Maeher created a follow-up question | |
| Dec 15, 2020 at 5:57 | comment | added | Maeher | @JonathanReez I'm not aware of any good reason. "Weihnachtsgeld" (literally "Christmas money") was very commonly negotiated for in the past, though it's not as common anymore. Why I don't know. There are no tax reasons afaik. Maybe it was just simpler to get employers to agree to that. It is slightly cheaper for them, because only people employed in November get anything. | |
| Dec 15, 2020 at 1:48 | comment | added | xngtng | @JonathanReez Reasons (that I don't understand but nonetheless exist), (historical) tax reasons (some countries tax or taxed holiday bonus differently), forced financial planning (so people have money to pay year-end expenses like taxes), economic stimulus for holiday seasons (so people spend more for holidays), make people feel good etc. Half of the world has some kind of 13th month (or even 14th) arrangement customarily or sometimes even legally mandated. | |
| Dec 15, 2020 at 1:15 | comment | added | JonathanReez | @Maeher since its not tied to the performance, why not just increase each months salary by 5% and avoid the "bonus"? | |
| Dec 14, 2020 at 13:30 | comment | added | lalala | of course not the ones getting a scholarship. | |
| Dec 14, 2020 at 12:48 | comment | added | Maeher | My comment only relates to the specific "bonus" mentioned in the answer. (i) The vast majority of PhD students in Germany are employed (at least part time) either at a university or research institute. (ii) There are virtually no private universities that can grant doctoral degrees. (iii) Employees of public universities and research institutes fall under one of three collective bargaining agreements. (iv) Those collective bargaining agreements require an additional payment of between 47% and 60% of the average monthly salary for Juli,August and September with the November salary. | |
| Dec 14, 2020 at 12:03 | comment | added | Chris H | @Maeher's comment implies something I believe to be true for Germany though uncommon elsewhere - that PhD students are (i) employees, and (ii) of the state. Certainly while UK postgrads may be funded by the state, they're not employed, or paid a normal salary - they're paid an annual stipend which is different, untaxed for example. | |
| Dec 14, 2020 at 6:27 | comment | added | Maeher | To be clear, this is not a "bonus" in the traditional sense. It's not tied to your performance. Everyone employed in public service simply received 50% of their monthly salary as an additional payment at the end of the year. | |
| Dec 14, 2020 at 5:32 | history | answered | GIRIBLR | CC BY-SA 4.0 |