Slowdown doesn't stop bonuses

Even as national unemployment hovers near 10%, many firms continue to reward employees with holiday bonuses, a survey conducted by Challenger, Gray & Christmas suggests.

But while bonuses are continuing, it does not mean they are growing. Challenger CEO John Challenger interprets the data from this year's survey to suggest that recovering companies are finding stability, but are not yet growing.

“According to economists, the recovery began in July 2009. But, for many companies, the recovery simply means they are no longer hemorrhaging money,” Challenger said. “Most employers are still not at a point where profits are taking off. As a result, we are not seeing much hiring or other expansion efforts.”