FAQs on the Upcoming 'Thank You' Bonus

As announced in Methodist Health System president and CEO Steve Goeser's leadership update on Dec. 28, 2021, all employees will receive a "thank you" bonus that is scheduled to be processed on Feb. 24 and deposited on March 1. Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) surrounding the distribution of the bonus.

Thank You Bonus FAQs

Q: How was the bonus calculated?
A: The bonus calculation was based on the greater of worked hours in 2021 or scheduled hours, which was then multiplied by rate of pay, then 2% (scheduled hours and rate of pay are as of Dec. 31, 2021). This was to ensure that no employee was paid less than their scheduled hours. Examples are provided below.

 Employee A will receive a $1,000 bonus because worked hours exceed scheduled hours:

• Scheduled hours are 36 hours a week x 52 weeks = 1,872 x $25 x 2% = $936
• 2021 worked hours are 2,000 x $25 x 2% = $1,000

Employee B will receive a $936 bonus because scheduled hours are greater than worked hours:

• Scheduled hours are 36 hours a week x 52 weeks = 1,872 x $25 x 2% = $936
• 2021 worked hours are 1,500 x $25 x 2% = $750

Q: I’m a casual employee. How was my bonus calculated?
A: Casual employees’ bonuses were calculated based on worked hours. 

• Example: Employee C is casual, and 2021 worked hours are 500 hours: 500 x $25 x 2% = $250

Q: I was full time but then went casual just prior to Dec. 31, 2021. What will my bonus be?
A: As a casual employee with no scheduled hours, your bonus is based on your 2021 worked hours.

Q: In the past, as a casual employee, I had to work a minimum of hours. What is the minimum?
A: There is no minimum of hours worked for 2021. All worked hours are considered for casual employees.

Q: What pays are considered worked hours?
A: Worked hours include regular and call back.

Q: I picked up a lot of extra shifts. Will those extra hours be included in the calculation?
A: If 2021 worked hours exceed scheduled hours, yes. All worked hours of regular and call back will be counted. 

Q: Are the 2021 worked hours based on the calendar year or what was paid?
A: For the calculation, the bonus was based on the paychecks in 2021 including Jan. 15, 2021-Dec. 31, 2021, including the reconciliation of the Kronos outage.

Q: Do I still have to be an active employee to receive the bonus?
A: Employees must have worked hours in 2022 and still be employed at the time the bonus is processed, which is Feb. 24, 2022. Employees on FML are considered active and are eligible for the bonus.

Q: When can I see the amount of my bonus?
A: Feb. 25 in Lawson Employee Self Service>Payments. The bonus will be processed on Feb. 24 and deposited for March 1, 2022.

Q: Was Kronos reconciled for my actual hours worked for the bonus?
A: Yes. The 2021 hours were reconciled from the Kronos outage prior to the calculation of the bonus. Thus, the hours used were based on actual time worked from the recent Kronos updates after Kronos came back online.

Q: Is differential and incentive pay considered?
A: No. Differentials and premium pay are not included in the calculation or base pay. 

Q: I am a salaried employee. How was my bonus calculated?
A: The salary and hourly employee calculation was the same. Reference the first question above.

Q: I have a secondary position. Were my second position hours considered?
A: Yes. Worked hours for all positions were counted toward the calculation. The rate of pay used for the calculation was based on your primary position.

Q: How will the bonus be taxed?
A: The IRS requires such a payment to be taxed at the bonus rate along with state income tax and FICA. 

If you have any additional questions, please call (402) 354-2200.