United replaced its performance-based bonus system with a lottery — and employees are furious (UAL)

pulse

March 5, 2018 3:06 PM

United Airlines employees are unhappy with a new bonus system that replaces quarterly, performance-based bonuses with a lottery system.

The new system replaces quarterly, performance-based bonuses for eligible employees and rewards for perfect attendance with a lottery system, where eligible employees are entered into a drawing for a variety of prizes if the company hits one of three internal performance goals during a calendar quarter.
Some United employees were not happy about the change

United Airlines on Friday announced a revamped bonus system to its employees, the Chicago Business Journal first reported. The new system replaces quarterly, performance-based bonuses for eligible employees and rewards for perfect attendance with a lottery system, where eligible employees are entered into a drawing for cash prizes, vacation packages, or a Mercedes-Benz C-Class if the company hits one of three internal performance goals during a calendar quarter.

A United spokesperson confirmed the change to Business Insider, which was announced in an email from United president Scott Kirby. Business Insider obtained a copy of the email, which noted that the company "set all-time records in almost every operating metric" before revealing that the company's performance-based bonus system would be converted into a lottery.

Other employees expressed similar feelings in posts from an internal employee website reviewed by Inc.