Please let me know whether the Diwali bonus is given after maternity leave or not

Please let me know whether the Diwali bonus is given after maternity leave or not?

If this 'Diwali Bonus' is statutory bonus payable during diwali termed as diwali bonus, then you should pay it along with other employees. The reasons are:

1. An employee on maternity leave is on service of the company.

2. Bonus paid this financial year, ie, 2024-25 though paid during diwali is the deferred wages of the preceding financial year, ie, 2023-24. Therefore, you cannot hold it till she resumes work after maternity leave.

If the person comes under payment of bonus act, then since maternity leave is considered as working, she is entitled to bonus

If this is other than statutory bonus, it is the managements choice. The rule will depend on how the management sees bonus. If you want to retain the employee, you should give the bonus. If not, you can always claim bonus is paid for achievements and since she was not working and had no achievement at the time it was not granted

You can pay the amount on later date, provided having the consent of the employee. The Bonus for the FY 22-23 to be disbursed to the eligible employees on or before 30.11.2024. Therefore any payment of bonus after this date is illegal and violation of the Act. So yo need to make and complete bonus payment on or before 30.11.2024, if Diwali comes in December.

Statutory bonus is applicable in case of maternity leave.

Hi,
If the Diwali bonus is a statutory bonus, then the employer should pay it. You should consult with your HR personnel.

Regards
Tapan Kumar

Obligation to pay bonus has nothing to do with one is on maternity leave or no leave. It's time bound and therefore shall be adhered to the time line stipulated in the Payment of Bonus act.

Whether a Diwali bonus is given to an employee after maternity leave typically depends on several factors, including company policy, local labor laws, and the specific terms of the employment contract. Here are some general points to consider:

### 1. **Company Policy**
- Review your organization's policy regarding bonuses. Many companies have specific criteria for bonus eligibility, which may or may not include employees on maternity leave.

### 2. **Legal Requirements**
- In some jurisdictions, employees on maternity leave retain their rights to bonuses and other benefits. Check the local labor laws to understand the entitlements.

### 3. **Pro-Rata Bonus Calculation**
- If bonuses are based on tenure or performance, companies may calculate the bonus on a pro-rata basis if the employee was on leave during part of the bonus period.

### 4. **Past Practices**
- Look at how the company has handled similar situations in the past. Consistency in applying policies is important.

### 5. **Communication**
- If there's uncertainty, it's a good idea for the employee to communicate with HR or management to clarify their eligibility for the bonus after returning from maternity leave.

### Conclusion
In many cases, employees on maternity leave are entitled to bonuses, but it’s essential to check the specific company policies and local labor laws to determine the exact circumstances.