Yep... basically, you have to work the full calendar year. Since I started halfway through 2012, I wasn't eligible in 2013 to get the previous year's profit sharing. At least I didn't start 2 weeks into January, that would have sucked to be so close.

I'm not sure how big the profit sharing check usually is, but my department also has performance bonuses around the same time. I was able to get that last year, since it was based on how much you made in salary the previous year (since I didn't work the full year, it was essentially pro-rated). That's the bigger of the two, and I'm looking forward to early next year when we get both bonuses and a tax refund around the time we'll start looking at condos (and need a down payment)