Thursday, March 05, 2009

Pay to Stay....3/21

The latest from the 'town meetings':

Well I heard that at the Town Hall Meeting everything is sunshine and roses--so good in fact that Ducky & Co are going to pay out a bonus to employees. (Apparently they 'set aside' some funds from the 2008 budget for this--could it be the matching funds for 401K?) Bonuses are expected to be between $200 and $4000 dollars based on full or part-time status and number of quarters worked. They may have to 'break up' some payments. The first installment is to be doled out on Friday, March 13th (how auspicious!)

Most employees are skeptical. Will it really happen? 4K seems like a lot to dole out to that many full time employees....

And is this bonus because Essent finally cares about its employees or is it an effort to stem the flood of exiting staff?


There must have been some serious doubts in Essent's retention figures, possibly voiced by a comment a bit ago:

I don't know if it even matters anymore...... Several nurses that I have spoken with are just waiting for the temporary, transition-related hiring freeze at Greenville and the other new Baylor facilities to end, then adios!
This makes sense when you put it in the context of what Christus tried, so many years back, but they labeled them retention bonuses. Now, that would be admitting to a problem. Hardly an Essent virtue.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Four-grand retention bonuses.....why is my BS detector going off the dial? And where is Duckers getting this cash (401Ks? Salaries from departed employees/fired "terrorists"? Lucky day at Choctaw Casino?)?

And who used the cord "terrorists" in the first place for those who didn't buy the bullcrap Essent was/is dishing out? Or is this one of Ducker's pet words?

Anonymous said...

I heard it wasn't Ducky who coined the terrorist word for employees...but I'm sure he still regards those poor folks as enemies.

Anonymous said...

Ya wonder, how long can they dangle the 'bonuses' to keep people? If the initial payment is late, will staff charge the door? What about the last? Will they hold on for that additional 45(?) days to keep the bonus while 'accounting details' are sorted out?

Anonymous said...

They're gambling on two things:

1). Strong family ties in this rural area

2). The current economic downturn


They're probably also going on the basic human element of greed and hoping folks are gullible enough to stay.

But hey, they're "just employees"...they're all a dime a dozen. Right, Duckers?

Anonymous said...

or they just stay until the bonus checks are cut, then move on....

Anonymous said...

Well, March 13 has come & gone, did the checks get distributed yet? And if so, how much?

Anonymous said...

Not at MVH - The only thing that is happening if that it is getting worst.

Anonymous said...

i got mine from prmc in the amount of $695.05 after taxes and other taken out. i am only prn and i was shocked.

Anonymous said...

Bonus checks were given out on 3/13 much to the suprise of employees! Full time employees who worked all of 2008 fiscal year got a little over 2K (minus taxes,etc, net was a little over $1500) No word if more would be coming or not.
Most folks I talked to said they were saving it up as "everything is so iffy" whether that meant the economy or PRMC or both I am not sure.
Heard some dept managers were urging their folks to send Ducks a thank you card "as they didn't have to do this." Did they or didn't they??

Anonymous said...

Oh and one of the issues discussed at the Town Hall meetings was the new sick leave policy (Employees must use vacation time for the first two days off sick, then sick time may be used) Feeling generous admin now have revised the policy to read that if you have 80 hrs of sick time then you can use sick time from first day. Two bad if you don't. So much for benefits. Sick time should be for when you are sick! Vacation time for when you are not!!!

Anonymous said...

Heard some dept managers were urging their folks to send Ducks a thank you card "as they didn't have to do this." Did they or didn't they??

Send him a cookie. Being "urged" to send a thank-you card is classless at best. Ooops, I forgot, it's Duckers here.

Show some love to da Duck, lest ye find thy head on the chopping block next time. Kiss the Duck's butt, and never mind the feathers in your mouth.

Anonymous said...

I learned the new Radiologist Director is none other than Stephen Haas, MD. Wasn't he the one Knizly accused of starting this very blog???