Edit: Alright, I've decided that if I do leave before the bonus is paid, I will simply consider it lost and won't kick up a stink about it. Thanks for the input everyone. I've been with this employer for quite a few years and it's been the first time I have been in this situation, but I'm glad I asked about it.
Not too sure where to ask about this one, so I thought I'd try here.
Here are the relevant facts:
-Annual performance bonus based partly on company profits, mostly on personal performance (achieving goals etc)
-Bonus is paid as a percentage of earnings over calendar year
-Bonus is paid out around April once all the financials are done
My question is, if I leave the company in say February, after having worked the entire year before, am I still entitled to the bonus in April?
The way I see it, the bonus is part of my compensation and therefore earnings that I am legally entitled to. When I called the Government of Canada information line, they said since a small part of it is determined by company profits, the whole bonus is considered discretionary and if I leave before it's paid, I'm essentially fucked.
Opinions? Experiences? Obviously I can't just go and ask HR on this one. Not sure I can keep my sanity to stick around til April but the bonus is going to be like 25%.