I have the same problem with any "bonuses". Everyone who is paid a bonus inevitably starts thinking about it as part of their income. Banks don't help this as many of them will take bonuses into account when supplying loans. But your employer doesn't think of bonuses this way. Your employer thinks of a bonus as part of your pay they can take away at a moment's notice for any reason at all. Many of them will try to put workers on a lower salary and claim that the bonus makes up for it. Say no to bonuses! Agree what your time is worth and stick to it!
Wouldn't that be the point of bonuses? It's not inappropriate in all cases, if it lets the org pay you more now without committing to do so forever, even if the market turns around. Otherwise you have to deal with painful cuts, or even people losing their jobs. Depends on the circumstances, and I agree it's bad to use as a wage suppression tool. Would you rather not have the money, so it doesn't feel like anything's being "taken away from you"?
Isn’t the whole point of bonuses to make a position more attractive, by offering a possible total compensation that’s higher than would be financially feasible/responsible if it was all guaranteed? So might be a worthwhile trade-off for an employee, depending on their appetite for risk.
Unless you think it’s a scam and most companies could afford to pay you the higher salary but decide not to. I’m not sure that would be very sustainable though.
