Ask the Business Coach Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges. Find out more about Joyce's coaching practice. Sign-on Bonus Question: I answered an ad for a job (car sales) in which one of the opportunities of hiring was a sign-on bonus of $1000.00. Upon hiring into the company I asked more about the bonus and was told by my new boss that he would didn't write the ad and he would find out about it. Later, after asking several more times I was told that there were some stipulations of this sign-on bonus. (First question, I thought sign-on bonuses were just that, if your hired you get it, isn't that true?) He told me that I needed to sell a certain amount of cars and I would than receive my bonus. Now, I'm finding out that there supposedly was another stipulation; a time frame to sell that amount. Now, I still have the ad and I never signed anything about the sign-on bonus. What can I do to get what's coming to me? A.H. Answer: This situation could be instantly cleared up if you had in writing all the new job 'opportunities' including the $1,000 sign-on bonus. Since this doesn't seem to be the case, there are just a few alternatives for you to consider. First, you are correct, a sign-on bonus is a sign-on bonus. No strings other than you go to work for that company. Since you kept the ad using that terminology, you might consider approaching your boss with it - this time asking him who you should see about claiming what was advertised. This will side-step the excuse that 'he didn't write the ad.' Somebody in his organization did and published what was to be considered an bonafide offer from the company. You'll want to impress on him that you'd like to know who that person was as you took the offer in good faith and expect it to be honored. Hold your own if he claims there are stipulations on it. Clearly state that you will be pleased to work hard to earn any subsequent commissions but that a sign-on bonus - as was advertised - has nothing to do with sales. If, at this point, there is no positive action on his part towards helping you, it would appear that this offer was bogus and you'll have to decide if you want to continue working for the company. If that turns out to be the case, you might as well cut your losses now unless you're willing to meet their new requirements and get the rest in writing. Also see: • Ask Joyce your workplace questions • More questions • One-on-one business coaching Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.