What is considered a bonus in the context of employment?

In the context of employment, a bonus typically refers to an additional payment provided to employees as a reward for their contributions or performance beyond their standard compensation. This additional payment can be tied to various factors, such as dedicated work, quality of performance, or achieving specific targets.

The choice identified as the correct answer describes an end-of-the-year payment that recognizes extra dedication and an employee's work quality. This aligns well with the common understanding of bonuses, which are often used as incentives to motivate employees and acknowledge their hard work.

In contrast, other options do not fit the definition of a bonus as clearly. A standard salary increase is typically a regular adjustment to an employee’s ongoing compensation rather than a one-time reward. A financial reward for exceptional performance on a single project might be considered a bonus in some contexts, but it's more specific and not as broadly applicable as the idea of rewarding overall dedication and work quality. Finally, a mandatory payment for overtime hours worked is a legal obligation based on labor laws rather than an additional incentive or reward, and therefore does not qualify as a bonus.