TennisandSales profile picture
TennisandSales profile picture

TennisandSales

Head Of Sales

Politicker
Acclaimed Answer
Executive
+9

EDIT: Looking to leave....still need my bonus

Ok so here is the deal.

Im pretty much out the door at my current company. I plan on accepting an offer I just received.


The problem is I need to give that company a start date and I am not 100% sure when I will get my bonus for Q3+Q4 results.


There is a good chance ill have to wait until March 10th to get it.

BUT the new company has a leadership all hands in person the first week of March that it would really annoying NOT to be at.


Here are my options as I see it:


Plan A:

  • Dont say anything to anyone and just sit tight for the next 6 weeks and put my 2 weeks in once I have my money.
  • This seems the most dishonest thing to do
  • This would really negatively impact the start to the new gig.

Plan B:

  • Put my 2 weeks in soon at the current gig
  • Expect that my bonus will still be paid out to me on March 10th even though i dont work there. (In the company hand book it clearly states that as long as you are employed on Dec 31st, you get your bonus even if you leave)
  • I would be able to start my new gig at the right time
  • I feel like this is the best way to not burn the bridge, and do right by them and me.
  • ALSO is risky because I dont totally trust anyone when it comes to money.

EDIT: another part of plan B would be to set a meeting with the CRO and be fairly upfront about my situation (i wouldn't say I have accepted a verbal offer, I would say i was approached with a really exciting opportunity and needed to understand some key details)


Would you do that?

Does that change your mind?

What option would you take?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
💰 Compensation
👥 Hiring
🧢 Sales Management
17

38 comments

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braintank
Politicker
10
Enterprise Account Executive
You aint getting that bonus with option 2.

Can you attend the all hands while still employed at company #1?
SaaSsy
Politicker
4
AE
That was going to be my suggestion. However, I had a similar comp payout setup at a prior company and got my entire annual bonus paid out on March 1st even though I quit Jan. 2nd. All comes down to 1. Is your org big enough to not want to deal with bad PR/lawsuits, etc. so they follow through on what's in writing 2. Do you have enough trust in the leaders you work for to do the right thing?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
1. yes they are.
2. I am trying to figure this out...
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
This is something Ill have to ask the new company...ive thought about this. I have 5 different plans ive written down...but only shared the top 2 haha.

Another thought was.....can I actually start on March 1 for the new company....while STILL working for my current org, and then quit after the 10th? 😂 now its getting complicated.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I know people who have pulled that off.

IIRC your new co is actually a company you worked at prior, right?

Considering you have an existing relationship maybe they can help you out.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
yeah your right. I will reach out to them and see what they think
coletrain
Politicker
4
Account Executive
I'd do option A: wait for the bonus then go. I hear you on not being at the all-hands.

I have plenty of friends in investment banking, that's the MO there (same day the check clears) and why I agree with @braintank: you aren't getting the bonus with Option B and I would see if possible to attend that all-hands with a PTO day.

I think the best thing for you to do is evaluate how much that bonus is worth to you. I'm not you and can't make the decision, however that would be my approach

EDIT: he took option A
TennisandSales
Politicker
2
Head Of Sales
fuck. yeah i kinda agree with you here. but i dont want to agree with you. the next 6 weeks of just NOT caring about my job just SUCKS. especially when my boss is making plans, wanting to go visit prospects, and thinks im all in....ughhh
coletrain
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I wish I didn't agree with me either haha. I totally get the "playing the part" portion sucks, no one wants to be in that position.

My thought in this situation: "gotta look out for number one". That doesn't necessarily kill Option B. Another possible tack for B: make sure that you get that you will be paid the bonus in writing.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
getting it in writing is a good confidence boost. But how to do that?

My boss wont be able to answer the question. his boss is the CRO. im contemplating setting a meeting with her and asking her about it. shes far enough removed that she wouldnt have as much of an emotional response as my boss would. and depending on her answer im hopeful I could move forward with more confidence. what do you think about that idea?
coletrain
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I hear you and like it while totally agreeing it is easier said than done. Sitting down with the CRO also shows that you want to leave in the right way and address outstanding questions/help others during the inevitable transition.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
4
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I put B but only because the bonus was explicitly called out as payable.

I appreciate the integrity you show, but do you think they'll burn you on the $$? If you have it in writing, they shouldn't, but one never knows what loopholes or excuses may come to bear.

That said, I've seen people join meetings, etc., when their official start date is a week or so out. Is it possible to take PTO from the current job, and join the meeting, fully intending to be jumping in after you've officially given notice?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
Thanks! i dont THINK they would burn me....but i just have had such a bad experience in my career up to now. (normally with smaller start ups this company is much bigger).

I could probably take PTO and joining the off site. ill talk to the new company about this. it feels super shady to me but i guess thats what I have to do when im not 1000% confident I wont get F'ed over.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I've seen it where the incoming manager/VP will be officially starting at a later date, but joins an all-hands in advance to be introduced. I'm not sure of the exact employment status of those people at the time - I'd always assumed they were still negotiating the final contracts and were on a break before jumping in, but who knows - but I have seen it more than once.

Shady? No, you're not planning to be undercover, learn something, and take it back to the current employer. Nor are you planning to disclose secrets to your new employer. You're trying to bridge some timing and get introduced (or reintroduced) to the new team as you transition. Now, I do suspect your current employer might take a dim view of the situation, so I'd tread very carefully. And maybe you forgo the in person meet up and join remotely.

The only reason I think there's a chance they don't burn you is because it's in writing, and spelled out. This is why I think A is still a decent option. I was treated very well by a large tech company I left two years ago. My manager was super, and the company was very honest and forthright. I received all that was coming to me, and got all the help I needed to transition.
Lambda
Tycoon
3
Sales Consultant
Tell your new employer (manager) about the situation
I had this happen to me exactly and was still screwed out of a bonus so make sure that $$ is in hand before you give your 2 weeks!
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
fuuuck. i didnt not want to hear that hahah
Lambda
Tycoon
1
Sales Consultant
Truth always wins though ya know
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
It's an unfortunate case because you seem like a person with integrity from interacting with you. The truth is the company will screw you 95% of the time if they can and your comp plan needs to be carefully reviewed and understood. If the new company is flexible and wants you my belief is they will be understanding and willing to fill you in on the all hands if you can't attend it virtually. IF it has to be option 1, thats the way I would personally lean. Money doesn't have feelings... unfortunately.
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
well I appreciate that! means a lot.

I keep telling my self that if i go to the CRO of my current company, have a honest conversation and express my concerns and my thought process, that she will be reasonable.

but the comments here are not making me feel confident about that 😂😂😂
Justatitle
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Usually I'd say yes, but depending on the amount of $$$ you really might not be able to take the chance.
Corpslovechild
Politicker
1
Inbound Sales Manager
Most companies don't look out for their employees in times like this.... why look out for your company?
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
because im in a small industry and I really dont want to burn bridges. And doing what i THINK is the right thing, has worked well for me so far.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
it doesn't sound like you will get your bonus. You need to go back and read the terms of your employment and commissions/incentives.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
Is the bonus big enough that its worth messing with your new gig? If yes then option A, if no and you are willing to take the gamble, option B.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
You should look to overlap for a week or 2. Just make sure you onboard while you off board. That way, you don’t miss any comp and are insulated in case something happens
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
dang is that even legal? haha. im not opposed to it, sounds kinda complicated. have you done this?
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
1
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Of course it is. As long as you don’t share info or hurt either party, you are set.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
1
Sales Rep
I would tell the new employer the situation, maybe they let you join while still working at the old company...Or they offer you a signing bonus if they need you at the all hands.
punishedlad
Tycoon
1
Business Development Team Lead
Best bet would probably be Option A, unless your current employer has the integrity to stick to your pay out. How chill is your manager? Would it be a death blow if you asked him a "hypothetical" about receiving the bonus if you're no longer with the company?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
so my manager is the Head of Commercial. im willing to bet that he would not be able to answer the question, and would defer to his boss the CRO. So im contemplating just setting a meeting with her and being fairly upfront about the situation and my concerns. (id make it sound like the move is something I am considering, not that ive pretty much committed)
TheHypnotist
Executive
1
Sales Manager
Oh the irony - I voted option B, but wouldn't expect my current company to pay me commission for sales I have made that haven't yet been invoiced!
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Talk to company b and explain the situation.
ChunkyButters
Tycoon
1
AE
What does your comp plan say?

If you want your bonus, read your comp plan / bonus term sheet. I've been places that pay out anything you close or earned even after you leave. When I left, got a check at departure so they wouldn't have to deal with it in 2 months.

Other places say you are only paid if you are still employed.

Can you tell the new company you're expecting a final bonus / payout on March 10, and would like to remain to collect your bonus? Then submit some vacation at your current job for the new company all hands. Submit two weeks the second that clears.....or just quit without notice.

New job might give you a signing bonus equal to old company bonus to get you started. Never know.
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
SO this is the hard part.
The comp plan/company hand book mentions that if you are employed on Dec 31st you still get the company bonus if you leave the company before it’s paid out BUT. That specific bonus is for non sales ppl. My specific bonus is not mentioned.

That’s where all the fear/concern comes from really
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
can you put in the notice period to start at X date? They know and you are still there to get your bonus?
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
Yeah like have my last day be the day i get the bonus? This is an option. There is still a risk in my mind that when i put in my notice they just fire me. Now i don’t THINK they will do that….but it’s a risk
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
Yeah in Belgium that’s not really possible 😅 we are really protected here.
kelvin26
Fire Starter
0
administrative manager
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