All too often, employers cheat their workers out of earned bonuses and commissions. If this has happened to you, you might be nervous to speak up for the money you deserve. After all, your employer might give you excuses that seem reasonable at the time, but you really shouldn’t let them get away with not paying you what you’re owed. So, how can you position yourself to successfully recover the bonus or commission that should’ve been paid to you?
Tips for building an unpaid bonus claim
If your employer unjustly withholds a bonus or commission from you, then you need to be prepared to take legal action to set the matter right. But how can you do that? Here are some tips:
- Review relevant policies and any agreements you signed with your employer to confirm payment timelines.
- Document and retain any information pertinent to your performance and data metrics that are relevant to your bonus or commission.
- Follow up with your employer in writing to inquire as to why it’s taking so long for your bonus or commission to be paid out.
- Keep all written communications you’ve had with your employer on the issue.
If you think that you’ve been wrongly denied a bonus, remain professional with your employer and try to gain an understanding. Then, compare your employer’s justification with applicable policies. Hopefully then you’ll clearly see a discrepancy that will position you for legal action.
Don’t let your employer cheat you out of what you’re owed
You’ve worked hard to earn your bonus or your commission. Don’t let you employer wrongly withhold it from you. Instead, take steps to protect your interests and find accountability for how you’ve been unfairly treated.