Tennessee Employment Contract: Definition, Key Considerations

This is a great—and very common—question. Whether the company can legally withhold your performance bonus after resignation depends heavily on how your employment agreement is written and how the bonus is classified. Key Factors to Consider: 1. Is the Bonus Discretionary or Earned? If your contract defines the bonus as discretionary, the employer generally has the right to decide whether to pay it and can condition it on continued employment. If the bonus is based on meeting specific performance goals or metrics, and those have been satisfied, it may be considered earned—even if the payment date is in the future. 2. Does the Contract Require You to Be Employed on the Payout Date? Many agreements include language stating the employee must be actively employed on the bonus payout date. If such a clause exists, the company may be within its rights to withhold the bonus, even if the performance was completed. 3. What Is the Bonus Period? If your bonus was based on a performance period that has already ended (such as a calendar or fiscal year), and you met your goals, you may have a stronger case for claiming the bonus as earned compensation. Georgia-Specific Note: In Georgia, employment is at-will, and courts generally uphold the terms of a written employment agreement. However, Georgia courts have also recognized that earned wages (which can include bonuses if not discretionary) must be paid. If the bonus is performance-based and the company has paid similar bonuses under the same conditions in the past, you may have grounds to assert that the payment is owed. What You Can Do: Review your employment agreement and any bonus policy documents closely. Look for phrases like “discretionary,” “earned,” and “must be employed on the payout date.” If the language is unclear, you may want to consult an attorney to evaluate whether the company is legally permitted to withhold the bonus—or if you may have a claim based on how the bonus was structured and earned. If you would like help reviewing your agreement, I’d be happy to assist.

Personal leave sometimes replaces vacation and sick time. Some employers just give employees time off for whatever reason the employee chooses. To know more about the rights and responsibilities, you should speak to HR at your new employer who will help you with the employer's expectations and your rights under the leave provision in your contract. Also, look at your contract as it may provide insight as to how to implement the leave. When in doubt, speak to HR. Thanks.

Most employment contracts contain (1) termination for cause, and/or (2) termination without cause (also known as at-will employment relationship).

If you have an employment contract, the employer must adhere to the terms of that agreement. Similarly, if the company has an employee handbook, changes to benefits must align with the policies outlined therein. Courts may consider an employee handbook as a binding contract if it creates an expectation of certain benefits. If your benefits are guaranteed in a written contract or employee handbook and the employer did not follow proper procedures to make changes, you may have a claim for breach of contract. Employers are generally encouraged to provide clear communication and advance notice of benefit changes to maintain trust and compliance with legal and policy obligations. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

That sounds like it would depend on the reasons you were given for being let go. Did you document your grievances in an email or where they just done by word of mouth? You should consult with a GA attorney that specializes in employment law to assit. All the best Donya Gordon