Customer wants to give my tech a cash bonus (gift)

[CheddarPCsKP]

Whatever you decide you must speak with the tech first, but it might be best to accept the tip.
If you refuse the tip what happens next time your tech visits the client?
Will the client handover $250 in cash anyway saying "Your boss didn't want us to tip, but we're grateful for what you've done for us, etc". If the tech was previously unaware of the offer made how will that alter his relationship with you, and on the other hand even if he is aware of your position on the tip and accepts it how does he refuse without affecting his and your relationships with the client?

 

[RocklandCompRepair]

If you ask me, allowing your employees to receive tips just makes them want to work that much harder in order to get tips! Nothing bad about that!

 

[GTP]

For some reason this is now stuck in my head:

Some folks give tips at Christmas
And some of them forget
So when he picks their bins up
He spills some on the step

"My Old Man's a Dustman!" Lonny Lee? Still a funny song!

 

[Zanthexter]

The amount is $250. What would you do? Am I over-thinking this?

There's a difference between a tip and a bonus. A tip comes from the client, a bonus comes from you. What is your normal method for rewarding employees that go above and beyond?

I wonder if the client would be willing to contribute the $250 towards some paid time off for the tech? Extra vacation/personal/holiday time? A few half days? Invoice them for the $250, and give the tech a couple of days off.

Personally I think paid time off is almost as appreciated by people as extra cash, is less likely to cause friction with other employees, and if taken during slow times costs you a lot less.

And in this situation, maintains your control of the relationships.

 

[JohnKennex]

Personally if someone came to me and asked, I would tell them not too and tell them I would take care of it. Slip the tech a gift card or something for doing a good job type of thing.

If someone just did it – then it’s there’s I really have no problem with it.

 

[pcpete]

I personally do not allow employees to take tips. I think clients are more likely to tip when they get freebies. I just think it would muddy the waters

 

[callthatgirl]

My onsite techs used to get tips, I was ok with it as long as it went through the tech personally and not via my books. Maybe he helped the client with personal issues during the visit. That can happen, "therapy" I call it. Who knows but the tech did something exceptional to get that large of a tip.