Because I believe the bonuses were contracted at a time when the company was losing massive amounts of money. I own a business and would not give someone a bonus if we were swimming in red ink. I’m not sure about this, but I believe it is the case. If the bonuses were designed to retain top performers, then I would retrace my statement. If they were given only to employees who actually had profitable departments, then I would also retract. If they are broadbased attempts to curry favor among friends, they are in poor taste. In other words, if the bonuses were handed out by people who thought they were going to lose their jobs, and given to people they thought could help them down the road, that is in poor taste.
Would you renege on your contractual obligations to your employees?