As bonus season wraps up across the energy trading world, many businesses breathe a sigh of relief. But at Charles Levick, we’ve worked with some of the most competitive and fast-moving energy trading firms globally, and year after year, we see the same pattern: once bonuses land, the market wakes up.
Why it matters
For employers, this season can feel precarious. Top performers, freshly rewarded, often start to reassess their path. Some will double down and recommit; others will begin to explore new horizons, especially if deeper motivations like growth, recognition or purpose haven’t been fully addressed.
But this isn’t just a risk – it’s also an opportunity. The post-bonus window is one of the few moments in the year when high-calibre candidates, previously uninterested in a move, become open to the conversation.
Our advice for retaining top talent
Initiate honest career conversations
Don’t assume your top performers are content. Help them visualise a future with you—new challenges, broader scope, and a long-term path. If you’re not discussing growth, someone else will be.
Recognise beyond compensation
Bonuses may retain people for a season, but autonomy, mentorship, and meaningful work are what keep them long-term.
Check the pulse
If you’re only finding out someone’s disengaged during their resignation conversation, it’s already too late. Stay close. Ask the right questions. Listen hard.
For Those Looking to Hire
Act fast
Once someone is open to a move, the window doesn’t stay open for long. Top-tier talent won’t hang around. Momentum is everything.
Tell a compelling story
What makes now the right time to join your team? Why should they choose you over the firm they just got a bonus from? Be clear, be confident and be authentic.
Don’t wait
The best firms are already active – strengthening benches, lining up interviews, and locking in offers. Recruitment is a strategic move, not a reactive one.
Final Thoughts
This season presents a rare alignment: individuals reassessing their futures, and businesses with the chance to shape that future. Whether you’re focused on keeping your best or bringing in new energy, the months following bonus season are not the time to sit still.
In an industry as interconnected and fast-paced as energy trading, standing still is rarely a neutral position—it’s often a step backward.
