Writing a Strong Bonus Request Letter (with Sample)
Use this sample bonus request letter as a template for your formal request letter.
A bonus letter is something that most people are excited to receive. With many companies tightening their belts, bonuses are becoming a rarity and not part of a standard compensation package. However, there are times in a career when it may be pertinent to ask for a bonus.
If an employee has done more than what is expected, or they have went out of their way to do an exceptional job, then asking for a bonus is a reasonable request. This is not a raise, the bonus request letter is for something that is above and beyond the call of duty.
Legitimate Reason
An employee usually has a financial need to ask for a bonus, or they feel that they have a legitimate reason. Regardless of the motivation, the best way to request an increase or bonus is in a letter.
The letter should be formal in nature, and it should be addressed to the main supervisor. Start with the date, full address of the company, and send it to the attention of whomever can approve or deny this request.
Address them directly, like “Dear Mr. Smith” rather than using the first name alone. A supervisor should have some respect and addressing them by their first name in a letter of this nature is not appropriate. The only exception would be if the person writing the correspondence has a close bond with the supervisor, and they were on a first name basis.
If an employee has done more than what is expected, or they have went out of their way to do an exceptional job, then asking for a bonus is a reasonable request. This is not a raise, the bonus request letter is for something that is above and beyond the call of duty.
Legitimate Reason
An employee usually has a financial need to ask for a bonus, or they feel that they have a legitimate reason. Regardless of the motivation, the best way to request an increase or bonus is in a letter.
The letter should be formal in nature, and it should be addressed to the main supervisor. Start with the date, full address of the company, and send it to the attention of whomever can approve or deny this request.
Address them directly, like “Dear Mr. Smith” rather than using the first name alone. A supervisor should have some respect and addressing them by their first name in a letter of this nature is not appropriate. The only exception would be if the person writing the correspondence has a close bond with the supervisor, and they were on a first name basis.
First Paragraph
The first paragraph should start out with the request and the rest of the letter needs to provide concrete evidence why this should be granted. If there is a specific amount that is being requested, then there should be some sort of basis for this amount.
Prove why this amount is necessary. If it is an extra pay for the period, the employee needs to show why they feel they are deserving of this increase.
Not all people who write this type of letter will get approval. There are many factors that come into play. For instance, the employees’ record, and the type of work they do is a big factor in whether or not this request will be granted. Be specific in the request and make sure it is understood why this increase should be given.
Second Paragraph
Paragraph two should be where a person goes into the details of why this increase is deserved. This is a time when a person can pat themselves on the back a bit. There are many reasons why someone would ask for a bonus, one would be working on a project and not receiving compensation for it.
Salary employees can be required to work as many hours as a company needs, whenever they need it. However, when an hourly employee takes work home or is working off the clock, they should be reimbursed for the extra time they have devoted. Here is a sample of a bonus request letter for someone who has done beyond what their normal job entails. It is just an example of one style of letter.
The first paragraph should start out with the request and the rest of the letter needs to provide concrete evidence why this should be granted. If there is a specific amount that is being requested, then there should be some sort of basis for this amount.
Prove why this amount is necessary. If it is an extra pay for the period, the employee needs to show why they feel they are deserving of this increase.
Not all people who write this type of letter will get approval. There are many factors that come into play. For instance, the employees’ record, and the type of work they do is a big factor in whether or not this request will be granted. Be specific in the request and make sure it is understood why this increase should be given.
Second Paragraph
Paragraph two should be where a person goes into the details of why this increase is deserved. This is a time when a person can pat themselves on the back a bit. There are many reasons why someone would ask for a bonus, one would be working on a project and not receiving compensation for it.
Salary employees can be required to work as many hours as a company needs, whenever they need it. However, when an hourly employee takes work home or is working off the clock, they should be reimbursed for the extra time they have devoted. Here is a sample of a bonus request letter for someone who has done beyond what their normal job entails. It is just an example of one style of letter.
Bonus Request Letter Sample
DATE
Carmichael Company
9095 Sycamore Blvd.
Motor City, IN 85698
Attn: Jamie Smith
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to request a bonus for my recent work in a project for the companies HR department. The billboards designed were done on my own time and to help resolve employee shortages. By reviewing my personnel record, you will see that I am an hourly employee, not salary.
I logged over 50 hours of extra work on this project, all of which I have not been reimbursed for. While I don’t mind helping out a bit with projects and extra assignments, my hours have exceeded an acceptable amount of time to donate without payment.
Because of the shortages at the company, many people are working overtime and longer hours. I knew how import it was, to make sure that these signs were done, so HR can begin to promote our company at job fairs. I know that salary employees don’t have a say, but I am hourly and I have not been compensated for all this extra time.
After working more than weeks’ worth of extra time to help the company out, I feel that I should be reimbursed. I have been with the company for a long time, 12 years to be exact.
I have never had a write-up, an occurrence or anything. I have devoted myself to this company and always made sure that the best interests of Carmichael Company was protected.
My normal salary is $1,050 a week, or $26.25 an hour. I worked an additional 10 hours over a normal workweek, and at time and a half, that would be $328.12. The materials I spent on this project were $798.29.
This includes signage, paints, paintbrushes and other misc. items. I am requesting a total of $2176.41 to cover my time and expenses. I look forward to discussing this with you soon. I can be reached by phone anytime at 740-895-5987.
Sincerely,
Rachelle Hilton
By Andre Bradley
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