I always thought it was unheard of too, until I worked for nonappropriated. They routinely give bonuses when automation improves productivity, greatly improves service to the soldier, or saves $. I received a few while I worked for the government. The best part though was the almost guaranteed pay increase and that does not include the annual cost of living increase so it equaled out almost a double pay raise. If the cost of living increase was 2.5% and the pay increase was 2.5% then in reality it was a 5% pay raise. The bonuses were a plus on top of it.

>>Not nearly as good as you made out, but I got a $2300 bonus and a 4.4% raise.
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>I've never heard of a government employer giving bonuses before (in Canada). Is this common in the US? I work for a hospital here... while is isn't directly for the government, it still is in the public service. I would imagine if the hospital gaves bonuses there would be a big newspaper story about patients going without treatment and someone would can canned.