Trouble at work..Help!

[House of Light]

I am not sure what to do , or how to handle a work situation. I am a florist for a small greenhouse, earning an hourly wage. I was asked, after our landscape designer quit, if I would design landscapes(thats what I actually went to school for) besides keep doing the floral work. My boss said, that if I saw the client, designed, and sold them the design and he didn't have to deal with it, I would earn 7% commission, which can add up fast. It was a great incentive, and since my wage isn't really high, it was a great "add on". I sold 5 jobs in one day, all smallish, but would give me about an extra 700.00.

Now, my boss says, since I was not on the job site, directing the guys(Remember, I am the florist in his shop...so I have to be there...I am the only one) that I will not be getting commission on these jobs. I feel used....for what I know how to do well...and while he made money, I actually lost it. I used my own vehical getting to and from clients, my own camera, paper, computer, and some of my own time. It was not up to me whether or not I could be on site.....in fact my boss went with them one day, and he can do floral too, but he chose to go and had me stay. Am I wrong in this?

My hubby is upset, and says that if I am not paid for the commission, I can no longer work there.

[IMSAVED]

I think your hubby is right.Someone is trying to rip you off. I thought that he originally said that you could have 7% commission?Would it be a huge financial sacrifice to approach your boss and tell him that he owes you?Because I know their is always the risk of him saying "You are so out of here".

[Buzzardhut]

Show your boss everything you put into it and remind him what he told you in the verbal agreement.

Give him the ultimatum; either he pays or you walk.

[pixelpusher]

And, if he wants to continue, get it in writing.

[Acts5:41]

Yeah, get it in writing.

It sounds like he is trying to "pinch pennies". Stupid way to do it.

My husband and I own a small business and we would never do that to an employee.

[IMSAVED]

And, if he wants to continue, get it in writing.

OH YES,always getting everything in writing.Sometimes people will decline because they do not want it in their face later on.It will protect you.

[Steve53]

Get paid or walk away. Everything in the future on paper.

ing you see right and just compensation.

[mbrown1219]

Does not cost much to take a case to small claims court. Also, if you get fired, file for unemployment and make a very good case against that employer.

You just can't trust anyone anymore, it seems.

[Raphael]

Looking past this - If I were that successful at selling my plans, I would start my own landscape architecture business. Depending on how you want to operate, you can oversee the work you plan, or just sell your plans for fees. In either case, of course, have a written plan for the project which your client signs.

[gma dolittle]

I agree with Raphel. It sounds as if you could start a business of your own. Think about it and when you talk to your boss, tell him that if you can get jobs on your own and not get paid for them, then you might as well quit and start you own business and keep all the money. grandma

[Lynn]

Looking past this - If I were that successful at selling my plans, I would start my own landscape architecture business. Depending on how you want to operate, you can oversee the work you plan, or just sell your plans for fees. In either case, of course, have a written plan for the project which your client signs.

I agree with Raphel. It sounds as if you could start a business of your own. Think about it and when you talk to your boss, tell him that if you can get jobs on your own and not get paid for them, then you might as well quit and start you own business and keep all the money. grandma

Count me in. You apparently have quite a talent in this area of landscape design. Perhaps you could try it as a home-based business at first. Even if you decide not to go it on your own, I'd be looking for a new employer (soon!). I wouldn't, however, discuss the possibility of starting your own business with your current boss. The less said to others about our future plans, the better, usually.

[Acts5:41]

I did have one last thought before you walk off: write him a letter. Explain you trusted him, and were expecting the money to take care of a litter of sick kittens you found [ - I'm sorry!]

Seriously, just lay it out, start with how you always enjoyed working for him, respected him, appreciated how he valued the employees as family members, you wanted to help him when asked, trusted he would treat you right, and then this. Also lay out you don't want to leave, but your husband will insist if you don't get paid.

That may break down whatever justification he has going in his own head. Keep the exclamation points to a minimum.

[Joseph The Carpenter]

Take it slow, first ask him for a written evaluation of the work you did in the design and than say by the way can you give me an evaluation of the floral work, so he can not say you under perform. Than start looking for another job. Than you tell him you want to paid. Start a notebook of all dates of conversations and a brief description of what was said. If you go to small claims or have to fight for unemployment it can help.

[jeri559]

I agree with others that you do not want to tip your hand to your employer about starting your own business. You will need documentation if you contemplate small claims court. With the compensation being verbal and not in writing, it becomes your word against theirs and harder to win. I agree with others that you should document any further conversations with your employer. With your talent you may strongly want to consider working for yourself. If your employer doesn't have a designer, and seeing that you sold 5 jobs in one day, I would say it sounds like you have what it takes to strike out on your own. Many businesses start out as a home business. Pray about it and God will open that door if it is His will for your life. I would definitely ask for the commission he/she promised you or quit. That employer's word can't be trusted if they are going to renege on their promise. That fact you trusted them and believed they would honor their commitment to pay a commission for these jobs shows that you were a trusting employee acting in good faith and they took advantage of your trust. Not the attributes of an honorable employer.

[House of Light]

Your posts have given me courage. I do not like confrontation...and have a habit of trusting most people. I go back to work Tuesday, and either I will be paid that day or not. Please pray for me that I would have courage and wisdom to speak the words that I may have to. Yes, the thought of going out on my own have occured...God will lead the way

[Lynn]

H'ofLight, I trust that you will 'prayerfully' consider 'how' to discuss this issue of not being paid the commission you were promised. A time of gentle questioning to see if he remembers the conversation the way you remember it might be an approach to consider. As Christians, we are to be gentle and not quarrelsome, not that you were planning to deal with it in a quarrelsome way.
It's just a reminder, that's all. Sometimes when we've been mistreated/slighted/etc., it's easy to allow our emotions to get the upper hand, especially when we know that we are right. In this case, just a quiet reasoned logical questioning of the verbal agreement as you understood it to be is really all that is needed. If he remembers it differently, then that might be a marker to excuse yourself from his employ. Blessings to you, dear sis, and I pray that it goes well.

[House of Light]

Its not that my boss "Remembers" it differently. He did say, "If I never have to think about the project...", which, if he thinks about it even once...he doesn't have to pay me( an excuse I just found out that he used with a woman last year). The problem is, he made money off of my plans...and my ideas... and regardless if has thought about it or not...he still owes me for my work. I have a problem with confrontation(not meaning arguing, but facing someone about an issue). I usually ending up crying, and I can not help it.

[TimothyK]

Show your boss everything you put into it and remind him what he told you in the verbal agreement.

Give him the ultimatum; either he pays or you walk.

This is wrong on so many levels. Listen to your husband and quit. Your husband is acting in your own self-interests. If your boss doesn't honor his word he's a slime ball, an awful person. That's not someone you want to keep working for.

This is a valuable learning experience: Get everything in writing. Watch out for vague language 'if I never have to think about it', make everything clear, black and white in no uncertain terms.

If you're asked to do something or other extra on a job you're not obligated to do and promised commissions, reimbursement, or extra pay, you get that put on paper for you and have them sign it.

Get it notarized. It's about $5 per signature at most places. It's free at some banks if you're a customer of theirs. After that, document everything you do. Keep receipts and budget the cost of everything you put into it.

Without all that, it is your word VS his.

If he's not willing to honor his word, he has you in this instance and I'm so sorry you've been conned by this person. God sees from Heaven.

If this is a normal thing for him, rest assured the wages he cheats from his workers will cry out against him and God will see your plight and take pity on you and vengeance on him.

He best run to the feet of Jesus Christ, pleading for mercy and forgiveness before something awful happens to him.

[Mommytoa3rdgradeboy]

Any update? Don't feel bad...I was dumb enough (too trusting because he said he was a Christian and was even an usher and/or deacon at a local Christian church) to continue working for THREE MONTHS for my ex-boss without pay! He eventually filed for banruptcy, and I will pretty much never receive a penny from him. My ex-boss who was an atty. He has since been either suspended or disbarred.

[Wally]

I have a feeling this may be why the prior designer left.


Designers are typically compensated for what they draw, configure, produce. Normally by commission.

The verbal agreement was made and you should be compensated. Any future agreements need to be written.
As a caution, if moved to a designer position, you may be classified exempt/salary and loose overtime options.
Your boss should also consider the investment a good word makes...

as well as the cost of a bad reputation.