Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Vague Commission Plan- Part 1

In sales for a software start-up

that was recently acquired.

I was the first in sales hired on salary

plus commission.

My commission agreement from CEO

CEO states ''5% on all deals.''

He verbally told me he would pay me

on everything.

Custom in the industry is to pay on

the license, prof services,

maintenance and renewals.

My first commission check was

calculated and then I received two

lump sum payments after that.

Commission payments- no taxes, not

on W-2, no statement. Salary was

outsourced payroll ck.

During the pending due dill of

the sale of the company, the CEO

told me he would pay me a partial

lump payment and the remainder

after the sale of the co. He refused

to put this in writing.

Later that month, he decided that he

wasn't going to pay me anything.

He demanded that I put a

statement in writing that I was

owed no further commissions. I

refused of course.

My email was brought down, recvd

letter from their attorney.

He then claimed through the CFO

that they only pay on ''year one

license'' and not PS, maintenance or

renews. He claimed he verbally told

me this. He never did and knows he

is lying.

Do I have a case to be pd on ps,

main, renews?


Asked on 12/10/07, 2:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Ryan P. McClure The Law Offices of Ryan P. McClure

Re: Vague Commission Plan- Part 1

I don�t know if you have a case. You need a more in-depth review of the facts surrounding your situation. The state of California favors the payment of earned commissions. If you were entitled to the commissions and you earned the commissions as you have stated then you would have a good case going forward. However, the complexity of your case, of course, is the fact that the agreements appear to be mostly verbal. I suggest you contact an Attorney to discuss in more detail.

Feel Free to contact me if you would like to pursue this matter.

Good Luck!

LEGAL NOTICE: The information presented in this e-mail should not be

construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client

relationship.

Read more
Answered on 12/20/07, 12:59 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Labor and Employment Law questions and answers in California