Bounty - are we worth it...?

[veryparttimer]

I know this will get a few people's backs up but follows a conversation at our last drill night...

Given the current JPA debacle and rush to get bounty, this got me wondering about the merits of bounty. I certainly was not aware of this payment when I decided to join but it is a nice little fillip to the finances! However, given the current budget strictures just think how much more training/travel/equipment could be funded if we waived our entitlement?

If we take a ball park 2000 RNR with an average bounty entitlement of £500 (as a rough guesstimate), that's £1m back in the pot...better still, use this to fund equipment for front line troops where its really needed.

I have heard the argument that it is vital to retention, but surely better traing and equipment would also help? We get paid (in theory) for the time we put in and for expenses incurred (again in theory!). This seems to be a drain on resource in a time of financial hardship.

I will don my flak jacket now and run for cover.....

 

[WarMonger]

I would.....very fast!!!

To me the bounty payment helps /recompense me for the amount of work I have to put in outside of RNR time organising training etc etc which I dont get paid for! Based on the unpaid time I put in I would need a bounty payment of double its current level to get even close!

Besides...you would be surprised how many people dont qualify for bounty I have heard figures that some units were only running at a 50-60% bounty qualification rate....how accurate this is not to sure!

 

[rosinacarley]

Oi mate, you waive your entitlement if you want but I would refer you to the JPA thread in which it is clear that pay generally is an issue.

I can assure that that I will not only want my bounty this year but also any interest on the £1000 that is owed me.

 

[Maxi_77]

Of course you are worth it Rosina, and so is every one else. I certainly thought I was worth it when I got it many moons ago.

The bounty has been an integral part of the RNR budget for as long as can remeber and should remain so.

 

[Handsome]

Keep the Bounty - the year i don't qualify for bounty, is the same year i'm gone..

 

[buster]

the whole point of bounty (imho) is as a retainer.
we want you to do XY and Z, plus CMR inspections, Captains divs, NBCD weekends etc etc.
in return you are given a "prize" of £1500 approx.
it's a simple carrot on a stick evolution. no :?:

 

[Shakey]

Has anyone resolved the question of whether or not it is in lieu of contribution to armed forces pension?

This was discussed on another thread, to divided opinion.

 

[veryparttimer]

the whole point of bounty (imho) is as a retainer.
we want you to do XY and Z, plus CMR inspections, Captains divs, NBCD weekends etc etc.
in return you are given a "prize" of £1500 approx.
it's a simple carrot on a stick evolution. no :?:

Not sure I entirely agree - inspections, divisions, NBCD is all part and parcel of what we do surely? Should a bus driver recieve a bonus for turning up on time? No, its a requirement of his paid job.

I am playing devil's advocate to a degree but I still haven't been convinced by the arguments to the positive - surely cash is not the motivation for retention, and if it is then there must be some bigger issues here (and yes I know the pay system is crap and people are owed money, but shiuld this be used as a salve?)??

 

[buster]

appreciate the fact you are playing DA; but it is a fact that reservists do it for the money. i would not like to say which proportion, but i will bet signifigent.
it is also a wonderful sop to her indoors when you pay for the family holiday - outright. tax free. life is all about balance. :wink:

 

[Uncle_Albert]

The existence of the bounty enables a unit to specify their own bounty requirements in addition to those specified by branch. Granted, it's never anything huge - a handful of compulsory attendance drill nights and some ceremonial.

 

[chieftiff]

Believe me, even if your figures are correct at approx £1M that is a mere drop in the ocean, you might just get a basic Harrier Engine for that! It's far better spent as an incentive for the RNR, possibly the cheapest retainer for 2000 people in any industry in the world!

 

[dubaipusser]

If someone wants to give up a perk to fund better facilities etc for more deserving causes can I suggest that useless bunch of tossers in the Houses of Parliament sacrifice some of their non-essential benefits like secretarial expenses, 1st class travel, protected pension schemes, research expenses, foreign junkets etc etc etc - You would get a damn sight more than £1 million back if they made a few sensible housekeeping cuts (and there are a lot less of them than there are RNRs!)