Tough year might end with happy news

This could be a good year for bonuses, despite the recession.

In fact, 30% of executives with companies that gave a bonus in 2010 say they plan to give higher bonuses in 2011, according to a new survey from Robert Half International. Only 14% of the respondents, meanwhile, expect to provide smaller bonuses.

Human resource managers, at 42%, were the most optimistic about higher 2011 bonuses. Technology executives followed at 25%, the survey states.

Menlo Park, Calif.-based Robert Half, a specialized professional staffing firm, polled more than 1,250 senior executives nationwide from companies that offered employee bonuses in 2010.