I need to VENT......

[geffric]

I am a commssion sales rep, small base and commission is where I get the income. I just got back from being out of town visiting customers and recieved an email from the VP of Sales that the sales force was NOT going to get the January commssion check at the end of this month because the exec's have not decided on our compensation plan yet..

I am very angry... One would think that the Exec's would feel that employee pay might be a big enough issue that they would determine the pay before the 1st time one is to be paid ... or we could be paid on last year's plan until th exec's decide this years plan..

Does anyone else's company treat their sales force like this????

I feel like writing an email to my manager but I know that is not the right thing to do... BUT I AM REALLY ANGRY THAT I DID MY JOB! AND SOLD WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO SELL and i can't get paid because someone is not ready to make a decision about my pay plan .... I Bet that they are getting their pay ......

Thanks for letting me vent...

 

[ByTheSea]

that's not good. I also work under a comp plan that possibly changes each year, and one year the new comp plan wasn't in place on time, but it was clearly communicated, and included in our prior plan, that the prior plan would carry over.

I totally understand your anger. Most in management know or should know, never mess with or delay people's pay unless you want very un-happy and possibly disgruntled employees.

 

[doxdogy]

That really stinks. I just hope that when they do decide on your compensation plan, that they pay you your back commissions. Hugs to you.

 

[DMickey28]

My fiance's company has done this. They were invovled in a major merger and the new company doens't have all their ducks in a row. They tried that with the December comission check which are supposed to come on the 15th of the month. The December one they said wouldn't be out until the 30th of the month. The VP of his actual company (now the VP of the new company as well) through a stince and they mailed them right out...

THis month it's the same as yours. They want to get on the same plan for the new year...we haven't recieved February's yet...

 

[Mary Anne]

I was a Compensation Manager responsible for writing, managing and analyzing Sales Compensation Plans for over 10 years.

You situations is very typical in today's business market. It is also 100% WRONG. Please do not shoot the person writing and administering the plans; That person probably wants to string the VP of Sales up too. I'd bet my bottom dollar the comp director has left 50 voices mail; 25 e-mails telling the VP they HAVE to do something NOW!

At a minimum, I'd do the following;

1) tell them you have obligations that need to be meet. You want a draw on your money based on last year's performance. (I'd say at a minimum 60% of your targeted incentive pay for the month. Yes, I know you want it all but at least it's something.)

2) Ask them point blank when they expect the plans to be available and when the first payment for the year can be expected. How soon do they anticipate bring the payments up to date?

3) Don't laugh - go make friends with the compensation/accounting/payroll person that is doing the actual calculation of your payment. She/he can be your best friend in all of this and might be able to give you some real answers.

4) Have you spoken to Human Resources? Trust me, I bet anything this VP is a pain in butt and someone in HR would live to give it to him LOL

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yea, dh has been ripped off thousands of dollars...

 

[nativetxn]

I'm sorry. I know nothing about sales or pay that devolves from sales. I'm just sorry you sound so frustrated. I hope they pay you soon and that you are happy with the results of that.

 

[geffric]

Thanks for the advice Mary Ann.. Great ideas. When I am in the office next I will talk to HR and the comp person.

 

[powellrj]

I really feel for you, we went through the samething last year when they were revamping our pay schedule. I am sure the people making the changes were paid, but it didn't bother them that we were not. The suggestion they gave was to take a cash advance on you credit card until they could get this worked out, but oh yeah, we won't pay the interest on the cash advance....


Those were really great ideas, the only problem is I work out of my home so I never see any of these people...

 

[geffric]

Still no comp plan.. and it is only April 22. Makes me think that the sales rep just aren't important to the company..

However, I want to share the latest... the VP sent out a PROPOSED plan for how the variuos reps worked togethr and asked for input... I responded as well as most of the others..


His response was

"Give me a flipping break! I sent out something that was clearly labeled PROPOSED and immediately get flamed. In MY mind, "proposed" means I'm still looking for input.

Why don't those of you who responded take a deep breath, get your attitude in check and give some flipping ideas instead of whining.

I'm really get tired of this negative BS. It is in your best interest to figure out how to handle these situations better. I may be open with the information I communicate to you all, but that doesn't mean I will tolerate this level of crap from my staff. "


So do you think I should go to HR about the attitude?? or just find myself another job??

 

[llebrekniT]

Hey geffric, sorry can't relate to your problem or anything. Just wanted to let you know I came by and listened to your venting.

Deadheadbelle's DH is in a similar position and I know his "bonus" gets messed up sometimes. I'll tell her to cruise by here and visit.

Hope they get it all fixed up for you soon. And, looking for another job is always a fine idea. I don't believe in staying in a job that gives you too much grief, there's always something better out there. Life is too short.

I would start looking around, see what you might find.

New beginnings are a good thing.

 

[Dan Murphy]

April is WAY to late for this to be going on. As said above, maybe time to start looking. Come by for some pizza tomorrow, vent there too.

 

[RRBB]

OMG, talk about needing an attitude adjustment. How about sending back a proposal to him that he split his hefty pay check among those of you still without a compensation plan and he go months without.

I agree, it's time to move on. It seems the "powers that be" at your company don't really care about the employees that do the work around there. And there's certainly no respect for y'all from upper management.

 

[geffric]

i sent a copy of the email to HR so that they could see how mgmt talks to the employess.. may get fired for that but I don't think that this should be ignored..

maybe i am wrong but ..

now they are asking us to work 10 hours on Friday...

 

[TeresaNJ]

Gee, sounds like you must work for my husband's company. I swear I don't know how some companies get away with the things they do.

 

[RRBB]

Originally posted by geffric
now they are asking us to work 10 hours on Friday...

Well if they're "asking", I'd tell them to shove it. Tell them if they'd pay you then maybe you'd consider it, but until then...

 

[geffric]

i wish I could say " take this job and Shove it'..

but the reality is that I work because we need the $$$ to pay then bills....mortgage, food, etc..

so I have to play the 'game ' some .. I just need anothe r job..

 

[ohanafamily]

I know it is tough for you, but we on the Dis care...I liked the Idea of becoming friends with the HR folks though. I will echo what I said on another thread...If they aren't paying the employees that are bringing in the cash flow, then there may be a reason...You might start putting out feelers for a new job; it is always easier to find a new job when you are still gainfully employed...

 

[Mary Anne]

I'm really glad you went to HR. They need to know what is going on. That e-mail the Sales Director sent as very rude and nasty. To use the word crap in it is a disgrace. You don't talk to your staff that way.

I'd be intersted in hearing what if any reply you get from HR.

While I think they may sugar coat it in front of you, I think in the background they are seeing the situation for what it really is and are laying the plans to act accordinly.

Not to get personal, but have you gotten ANY commission/incentive checks for 2004 yet?

I would also start looking around for a position within another company. Better to have your ducks in a row then to be a sitting duck.