What should I do if I was hired 2 months ago as an outside catering sales rep for a local restaurant but have not been paid a promised commission?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What should I do if I was hired 2 months ago as an outside catering sales rep for a local restaurant but have not been paid a promised commission?
When I was given the position, I was promised so much and hour, plus 15% commission, gas reimbursement and all that jazz. I just sold 2 very large catering orders and when I asked about my commission, my manager told me that they are still working out the details of my position (it’s a new position), and that I would not be getting commission on these jobs. She said that hopefully down the line commission can be incorporated into the job. She also said I would not be working in the restaurant, and she now has me prepping, preparing and delivering food. I have not been trained on any of it.
Asked on October 30, 2014 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
Ling Dai / The Dai Law Firm, PLLC
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
I largely agree with the previous answer. one note I would like to add is that if your employment term is one year or above, your claims may be barred by statute of frauds.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
You can sue the restaurant for breach of contract for not honoring their agreement to pay you the commission. (Suing is the only way to try to compel payment if they won't pay voluntarily.) Even if it was an oral (non-written) agreement, it is enforceable, though obviously, proving its existence and its terms can be more difficult, since you have to rely on testimony, not writing/documents, especially if the other side doesn't remember things the way you do.
However, while you can enforce an oral agreement as to work already done pursuant to it (i.e. for the commissions), without a written employment contract, employment is employment at will, so going forward, they can change your pay, your responsibilities (i.e. have you work in the restaurant), etc. Oral employment agreements are enforceable as to what you have already done before being told of a change in employment, but do not restrict change.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.