Transfer authorised
THIS DILEMMA, UPDATED FOR 2023, WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE JUNE 2012 EDITION OF THE REVIEW AS ‘BONUS POINTS’. IT INCORPORATES THE THEMES OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST, RESPECTING OTHERS, AND SPEAKING UP
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ay has completed nearly a year of his first job in a small branch of a bank, which he joined straight from school. His recent appraisal says that
he has performed well and shows great potential. Accordingly, he is not surprised to be told by the assistant manager that the branch manager, Christine, wishes to speak to him. Christine congratulates Ray on his
performance and says that although, as a rule, staff are not able to participate in the bank’s bonus scheme until they have completed 12 months’ service, Ray has done very well and she wants to encourage him. She hands him an envelope, saying that because of the special nature of the payment and the bank’s rules on bonuses generally, he must ensure that he does not discuss it with anyone. Ray feels a little embarrassed to have been singled out but pleased to have made a good impression. Ray enters the staff room where he
opens the envelope and is pleasantly surprised to read that £500 has been transferred into his account. Christine includes a message saying that the bonus
is her personal recognition of Ray’s hard work and good performance. Ray is a bit surprised at the comment, which leaves him unsure whether the ‘bonus’ is from the bank or from Christine herself. Although Christine has told Ray not to
mention the award to anyone, which is the bank’s normal rule regarding bonus payments, he feels unable to keep this to himself. On the way home, he texts his friend Dan, whom he had met on the bank’s induction course, suggesting they meet later for a drink. Dan, who works in another branch but lives nearby, readily agrees. Later that evening when Ray meets
Dan, he says he’s had some good fortune and offers to buy him a drink, “not just the usual pint, but anything you like”. They order cocktails. Dan asks what has prompted this
unusual generosity and Ray says that he is not supposed to tell anyone, but he has received a bonus. Dan expresses surprise, saying that they don’t qualify for the bank’s bonus scheme and that staff have been warned that bonus payments will be very limited this year, so Ray getting one must surely be a mistake.
THE REVIEW MARCH 2023
// HE WONDERS IF HE HAS DONE ANYTHING WRONG IN ACCEPTING THE MONEY //
IMAGE: ADOBESTOCK
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