When people think about their payment for work, they may think primarily about their hourly wage or salary. However, your compensation often includes much more than that, and those benefits are often protected in the same way that your regular wages are. This includes commission earned on sales.
If an employer fails to pay an employee the commission they have earned in their sales position, what should that employee know?
What does the law say about unpaid commissions?
Commissions are a part of an employee’s compensation, and this is true even if you are no longer employed by the company. Under Ohio law, for example, employers must pay employees the commission they have earned prior to termination within 30 days of termination. This applies whether your employer chose to terminate your employment or you chose to leave your position.
What can you do if your employer fails to pay you the commissions you have earned?
When your employer does not pay your commissions or refuses to make those payments when asked, you have legal options. If you have an existing agreement in place, and failure to pay your commission is a breach of that contract. Fighting for your hard-earned commissions can not only lead to your employer paying those unpaid commissions but also provide other damages depending on the details of your case.
If you want to explore your options for righting this wrong, you may want to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. They can help you determine the best path forward for your situation.