My firm offered me a massive retention bonus to stay through 2027, but the catch is that I have to pay it back if I leave for any reason. The money would change my life, but the thought of being stuck in this cubicle for another two years makes me want to scream. Should I take the bribe and quiet quit, or is sanity worth more than the payout?

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Posting as :
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You are currently posting as works at

If you do take it, make sure “for any reason” doesn’t include getting fired or cut/downsized etc. Last thing you want is to stick it out and then close to the end have some arse make some excuse to get rid of you and have someone argue you have to pay it back because you were not employed at the end date of agreement.

likesmart

If you are so unhappy, and dread going to work everyday, I am not sure the money is worth all that aggravation. But if it’s somewhat tolerable to stay, 2 yrs actually goes by quick. Take the dough.

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That isn’t a catch. That is the definition of a retention bonus.

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I just worked for a company and my entire role was emailing employees setting up paybacks for those types of bonuses. Some were paying back for 5+ years.

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Would you have stayed anyway? What would you do if you left? Keep in mind you’ll only keep like 70%

How much and what stage of your career are you at?
If you quit today what would you do instead?

If you are early career and already know you want to do something else then you should leave. You are sacrificing advancement in your next career path by staying.
Otherwise you should probably stay and make the best of it.

Take the money and be open to other opportunities

It just depends on how toxic the environment is and if you can endure it that long. Lots of trade offs to consider!

Does it also apply if you get fired?

Generally, you get to keep the bonus if you are laid off, but not if you are fired for cause. And obviously if you leave, you forfeit it.

The worst part of that is that you are taxed on it when you get it, but you have to pay back the full (pretax) amount. You can get the taxes back, but it means either filing a correction or yet another tax form.

Take the money. Make sure you read over everything carefully so they don’t fire you right before the end and you have to pay it back. The current job market…is hell. Take it but save it.

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