VincentAdultman

Enterprise Account Executive

Opinionated

Fire Starter

Contributor

How to approach owed commissions when leaving a job

Hey guys,

Wondered if you could give your advice on how to approach my situation.

I want to leave my current gig because the culture is so toxic its a(e)ffecting my mental health.

The issue i have is, we have a bonus spiff going currently - Its a MBO where if i build x amount of pipe i get a $20K spot bonus.

I have already achieved the MBO, but it wont be paid until the end of July..... i hope to be long gone by July.

I could really do with the money, but i'm on the brink of accepting a new offer.

Is it feasible to ask the new company to pay me that $$? Will they even consider something like that? Has anybody here been in a similar situation?

Thanks in advance

TLDR; Want to leave current company - They owe me $20k as part of an MBO bonus. Will new company pay me that bonus?

💰 Compensation

17 comments

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TennisandSales

Politicker

Head Of Sales

hmm since its a spiff this is hard. I would go back and look at the comp plan and your offer letter to see what language there is around compensation like this. (also a $20k spiff? thats awesome)

I would 100% be asking the new company for a sign on bonus to cover lost income from leaving. since you are close to accepting the offer im assuming you have not brought this up yet? or have you?

When do they want you to start?

I would position it to them that you have this $20k that you obviously need, and you would be happy to make the jump to them quickly if they are willing to cover the $20k in a sign on bonus. If not, you would like to talk about signing an offer letter for a start date in July.

This is exactly what i did in my last switch and got a sign on bonus of $25K to cover lost commissions

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Very solid approach.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

What does your comp plan say?

In all likelihood you'll need to stay until July if you want that $$$

VincentAdultman

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Yeah im sure thats the case - Im wondering if i leave now and tell them to keep the $, i can some how negotiate with my new gig to pay me it.. as a joining bonus or something

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Yes! Start negotiating that now

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I'm inclined to agree with tank. The fact that it's a SPIFF just makes it harder.

Do try and leverage that with the new gig though.

hunnybunny

Opinionated

SaaS Sales

Absolutely! I was in a similar situation where I was leaving before a big end of year bonus once and my new company paid it to me as a signing bonus to incentivize me to start earlier!

ADudeBeingAGuy

Politicker

Account Executive

Repeat after me... "Fuck you, pay me"

SaaSam

Politicker

Account Executive

RIP Mr. Liotta

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I left $25k in a previous job. Absolutely no regrets.

If you decide to leave - leave.

antiASKHOLE

Tycoon

Bravado's Resident Asshole

Man, I had a similar situation when I jumped ship at my last job. I was owed around 18k in commission, but they take forever to pay out(part of why I left). The culture was getting so toxic for what I am trying to accomplish and I spent over 3.5 years there being #1 and being treated like poop.

I just said *f-it* and dipped. I have already made that money back and then some with the new job. I don't know if that helps you, but if it is so close to getting it, just be up front and honest with the new place and let them know if you were hired, it would be August to start.

VincentAdultman

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

Thanks for the advice people - Appreciate it

Qman

Opinionated

Business Development Rep

Damn that $20K sounds tantalizing... that would be sweet if the new company paid it, but a tough ask. Comments on here say that it's a real possibility. I know the feeling of wanting to leave at all costs though. Tough one... keep us updated on what happens

hunnybunny

Opinionated

SaaS Sales

I don't have anything to add other than to "ditto" what has already been said. Either way, just hope it works out for you! If you're ready to leave though, you just gotta do it.

Oldskool

Personal Narrative

Senior AE

In the future, I would always get specifics on comp and commission in writing prior to accepting an offer especially surrounding the circumstances of termination, and that means actionable (lawyer speak for you will likely win in court) language.

And I would read your agreement with current company to figure out exactly what the termination clauses are when it comes to commission payouts around specific circumstances. It is enough money to either hire a lawyer or threaten to if they don't pay out.

Pushing your prospective employer to pay that as a signing bonus is VERY risky, unless you have confidence based on some element that is not mentioned in your post, like your salary is over $100k and your OTE is half a mil. Then it would make sense.

On the other hand, if the bonus can be verified, it is great ammo for pre acceptance base comp negotiation. That's my 3 cents.

saaskicker

Celebrated Contributor

Enterprise AE

$20k SPIFF for building pipeline???? toxic or not, want to refer me to this company???

IYNFYL

Politicker

Enterprise SaaS AE

I've had to leave money on the table due to a toxic company, you have to find out if the juice is worth the squeeze in the end.

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VincentAdultman

How to approach owed commissions when leaving a job

17 comments

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