Boss withholds commission paycheck from sales employees because the business is struggling, blames missed paycheck on employees work ethic: 'We've got to do better, we got to get more.'

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Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Apr 21, 2026 3:45 PM EDT

He can't withhold paychecks because the business is struggling, and yet, that's what he's doing.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the sales industry. There is usually quite a low barrier to entry. Someone can get a sales job with little field experience, or even without a degree. Getting the job is the easy part, but succeeding takes a lot of finesse and skill. A salesman can either make more than an engineer or make less than a minimum-wage employee, depending on their base salary and the amount of commission they earn. Some sales jobs don't even offer a base pay, forcing employees to thrive or starve, which can be a strong motivator for some. 

A work environment that fosters intense competition and continually raises expectations is not for everyone. Some people just want to do the tasks they are assigned and go home, without having to grind to make the big bucks. The new salesman in this story is one of those people, and he made a bad decision when he accepted his friend's offer for him to work at his company. 

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  • Mature businessman with laptop at the desk in the office working
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The boss glares at his employees after they failed to exceed his high expectations. 

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I was burnt out of my middle management job I had for 6 long years. I was looking to go back to school since I'm halfway done with a teaching degree from a decade ago. The credits are still good and I've been a long term sub before. I know
    via u/redsocks246
  • I like the job, so why not. I applied in August, a week after the deadline. OFC. I would have to wait 4 months. A few days later old friend called me out of nowhere. He offered me a job. It's B2B
    via u/redsocks246
  • sales and he painted a beautiful story. He's making very decent money. The big sales guy is making BIG money. He told me how simple it was and yada yada. So I decided why not, I'm in a rut so why not challenge myself. This could be a life changer!
    via u/redsocks246
  • The job turns out to be pretty close to what my buddy described. The potential for money really is there. The job is really not that difficult. The thing is though, I hate it. It's a smallish family business and my boss is insufferable. He is
    via u/redsocks246
  • "always right" and if you did anything different than he would, you're doing it wrong. The best compliment you get comes with a backhanded jab. My friend is a total sycophant who worships the ground the boss walks on. The job also requires me to travel. Locally
    via u/redsocks246
  • right now since I'm new but talks of traveling to other states have been coming up. I did not know this going in. Last week our commission checks were withheld. The business is apparently not doing so well. I was pied.
    via u/redsocks246
  • I'm fortunate enough to have a savings account so my mortgage got paid but that account should never be touched. Much less because my promised pay was not given. We had a meeting Friday about it. His
    via u/redsocks246
  • words "So I'm sure you noticed you have not been paid yet, why do you think that is?" To which my buddy immediately replied "we gotta do better, we gotta get more". I was mentally screaming.
    via u/redsocks246
  • A man sitting in front of a laptop computer
    via Sebastian Herrmann

    The salesman is pulling his hair out after his boss suggests that it's his fault that he is withholding his commission paycheck.

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I want out. I want to go back to school, get some entry level job to make ends meet while I study. I just feel horrible that if I go it will reflect poorly on my friend. He has no idea I feel this way and I don't know how he will respond when I do tell him.
    via u/redsocks246
  • He really did give me a wonderful opportunity, I just feel like a square block and the job is a round hole. I'm going into my 8th month now, I feel like I gave it a good try.
    via u/redsocks246
  • erikleorgav2 Missed paychecks are never ok. A former employer, up until 2023, had some delays in paying. The first time he said it was an error, we got paid the next day. The second time, the excuse was a lame "I was late in posting payroll." We were paid the following Monday. The third time, he was incommunicado no matter what I texted to him (he barely answered calls). That's when I knew it was time to get out. This is your red flag to get out.
    via u/erikleorgav2
  • redsocks246 OP Yeah that feels familiar. Our commissions were held just over the weekend, but now it's got me thinking what's going to happen next month
    via u/redsocks246
  • Bigbigjeffy It'll probably get worse, unfortunately. These scenarios usually play out like this every time, and it begins with missed paychecks. Expect it to happen next month and again until the owners go under or disappear. Either way, it's the beginning of the end.
    via u/Bigbigjeffy
  • Cavalier1706 The second they withhold money - get out. Not only is that a morale ki er it's obviously shows the business isn't doing very well. Business and friendship are like oil and water they rarely mix well if at all. If this person was your true friend they'd acknowledge and accept your decision on what is best for you. Pull the ripcord.
    via u/Cavalier1706

  • It can be tempting to take a job that your friend offers you, but if you will be working together, you have to accept that it might change or end your friendship forever. If you refer your friend to a job, you have to be sure that you can trust them in the workplace, which you can't do with 99% of the friends you've never worked with before. I have no idea how my friends actually are as employees, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'd be really bummed out to discover my bestie is the kind of person who brings tuna sandwiches to the office.

  • MzOpinion8d Not only that, but then they act like it's the employees' faults for not working hard enough? F. That.
    via u/MzOpinion8d
  • AnamCeili Get paid, and then get out, and advise your friend to do the same. That business is absolutely failing.
    via u/AnamCeili
  • RogueShadow3 "Why do you think I didn't pay you" - came off incredibly arrogant and accusatory like it's your fault you're not getting paid for your job. You're never going to see that commission check.
    via u/RogueShadow3
  • Freudianslip 1987 If they skip a paycheck they have no money. Me and my family lost everything in 08 when the place i was working did that too me. Leave fast in fact in my opinion don't waste gas to quit in person.
    via u/Freudianslip1987
  • tiger_688 I would usually say you should stick it out longer since your friend got you the job. But once pay checks are late your obligatiation to give it some time is gone.
    via u/tiger_688

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commission employees degree business friends mortgage management paycheck sales bad bosses
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