Working World

Dear Jewish Fairy Godmother,

My boss is playing favorites, and it’s about to cost me money. I work as a salesperson where 25 percent of our compensation comes from a year-end bonus. My boss recently hired someone who is just not pulling his weight, which drags us all down because our numbers are not as high. The problem is that the boss really likes this person. What to do? —Feeling Stiffed

Dear Stiffed:

A lot depends on how the profit distribution is structured. If it’s all your boss’s discretion, you may be stiffed with no recourse. If there are established policies, principles and procedures, you may have some hope of seeing your fair share, assuming they are applied consistently.

Being the squeaky wheel will probably leave a black mark by your name. If the favorite truly hasn’t produced, it’ll show in the books, and there’s only so far even an indulgent boss can stretch zero. Use an occasion like a sales meeting to ask him to summarize the bonus-distribution principles, prefacing your request with an appreciative, short of obsequious, public thank you for his generosity. Express the hope that next year is a better one for you all, then sit back and hope he’s fair. If the favoritism is memorialized with cash, and continues, you may have to decide if you care enough to stay. Money will only keep you so happy.