New York Executive Bonus Disputes

The largest part of an executive's compensation package is often the bonus, which is relied upon to motivate top performers and keep compensation systems flexible. When the employment relationship ends, these bonus payments are often reduced or not paid. Employers argue that they have the discretion to pay the bonus or not, but it is typically never as simple as that.

Many executives rely on their bonus as a significant percentage of his or her annual earnings. They may feel frustrated or discouraged if their employers refuse to pay them their earned bonuses because the employment relationship has ended for various reasons. Despite the circumstances of their employment, executives are often entitled to the bonuses that they worked hard to earn prior to leaving. With the increasing significance of bonuses in executive compensation packages, courts are also allowing bonus dispute claims to proceed to trial more frequently than before.

There are many considerations that go into determining whether executives are owed their bonuses at the end of an employment relationship, such as the difference between an “integral” bonus and a discretionary one and the appropriate procedures in determining the type of bonuses an executive has received. Although the agreement concerning your bonus may not be precise, if there is any written or oral indication that bonuses were included in your package, as well as a reasonable way to figure out that amount, your claim for compensation will be taken seriously.

The bonus dispute process may be frustrating for someone who has worked diligently for a company and expects to be compensated for his or her work, but we are here to successfully assist you through all of your employment issues.

Executives who receive bonus compensation as an integral part of their compensation have won substantial awards in bonus disputes, and your New York employment attorneys at The Ottinger Firm have successfully navigated the bonus dispute process for New York employees for over a decade. In addition to extensive experience representing the interests of New York executives facing bonus disputes, we have successfully represented New York employees on a variety of employment law issues.

If you were denied a bonus after your relationship ended with your employer or you have more questions regarding New York executive bonus disputes, contact your New York employment law attorneys at The Ottinger Firm for a free case review today.