Understanding Bonus Payments: A Guide for Educators in Inclusive Environments

Bonus payments relate to the rewards received by employees from their employer in addition to their base salary or wage payment. The specific details of how these are paid or determined are generally defined in some kind of agreement – either implicit or explicit. From a legal perspective, the law requires such agreements to be clear and transparent so that everyone is aware of their duties and responsibilities, as well as their rights. However, this expectation for clarity and transparency should not be limited to the realm of employment law, but also extended into other areas, such as education, where there are also obligations to ensure all stakeholders, including children, know and understand their rights.

In this article, the concept of fairness across many aspects of life for children with special needs in an educational setting will be explored using the law on bonus payments as a grounding to demonstrate how it can be applied. Related to this is the concept of duties and rights, which are often outlined in the form of the law. In the context of a bonus payment, it is the duty of the employer to set out all elements of the deal, including what is expected from both the employer and employee, as well as the outcomes of this. The employee has the right to be given clarity about all aspects of their work and what is required of them. Any changes to this contract must be communicated and agreed to in writing. These principles can also be transferred to educational settings.

An employer must not abuse their power in any employment situation and should make their policies fair to all employees. This means ensuring those impacted have a clear understanding of what is expected from them and what they can expect. In a school setting, this can also apply to children with special needs. Children with special needs can have difficulty communicating, digesting information, or relating to the world around them. As a result, it is essential that their teachers and educators communicate clearly so that students are aware of what is expected and what they can do to improve their behavior.

High standards of fairness in all aspects of life are particularly important for children, especially those with special needs, because they may be used to unfair treatment. For example, they may have been frequently told that their behavior was unacceptable, when in reality it is their capability to behave that is the issue. This can lead to low self-esteem and a reluctance to make new friends or learn new things. Therefore, by offering a fair experience, teachers can help to undo the negative impact overly strict rules may have had and cultivate self-esteem, engagement, and encourage children to take risks and learn new things.

A bonus payment is essentially some kind of reward for the service offered or for good behavior, in the case of children. The law on bonus payments ensures that neither party can be unfairly treated and that the terms and conditions of the contract are clear. Fairness is important at an educational level too, as it ensures children are given the opportunities to embrace everything their education has to offer and overcome any obstacles in achieving their goals.

Some examples of how the law on bonus payments can be adapted for an educational setting include: If a school is offering a special needs child a reward for good behavior, then this should be clearly communicated, with expected outcomes set out in writing, so that everyone is on the same page. If change occurs to the initial contract, then again this should be communicated to the student clearly so that they are given the opportunity to agree.

Again, like the law on bonus payments, implementing a fair system into a school or educational environment can encourage transparency and promote communication. Rules and policies should be clearly set out and understood by all. For example, if an inclusive school wishes to promote positive behavior to a child with special needs, then they may provide reward coupons for good behavior, which could be exchanged for something special, such as going to the front of the lunch queue or using the school computer.

Just as employers must be held accountable for their overly strict rules, schools and teachers must also promote accessible environments for all students, including those with special needs. Any unjust or unfair issues should not be tolerated and promoted by educators, as otherwise this would be unethical and could limit potential for children to grow and develop.

There have been many instances where a better understanding of the duties and rights related to laws such as bonus payments has resulted in improved outcomes, including: There are plenty of examples of schools implementing a fair system, such as Excel Academy in New York, where the principals shared the value of hard work and collaborated with students to ensure their behavior beyond that classroom and into the neighborhood.

There is much to be learned from how the frequencies of expectation of fairness in the law on bonus payments can be adapted and translated to a special needs education setting. By implementing clear and coherent rules and guidelines that are fair to all concerned, teachers can ensure they are promoting opportunities for children.