A Sales Employee Hit Their Bonus Quota for 3 Years Straight—So the Company Decided to Change the Bonus System

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 26, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Why do some employers penalize success?

Every company seems to claim that they want the best, highest-performing employees, but when they actually get their hiring decisions right, they don't seem to be interested in treating them in a way that is going to encourage them to achieve. They do not want to learn the lesson that the carrot is always going to be more enticing than the stick.

Maybe it is true that business is complicated, and just because a worker desires a certain level of recognition doesn't mean that they are going to get it. Still, companies cannot get away from the fact that the main reason that most people are working for them is money. Incentivising employees with a little added compensation now and then is much more of a motivator than a pat on the head or, even worse, being ignored or criticized for doing something right.

One thing is for certain, and that is the fact that underappreciated employees are more likely to find another employer who seems to value their skillset more if they get snubbed the wrong way. Even in this job market, the talented and savvy applicants are capable of being snapped up fast.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • A male business employee smiles and looks to the side while leaning against a glass wall
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A male business employee smiles and looks to the side while leaning against a glass wall

  • As explained in this post, an individual working in sales for their company felt like they had discovered a great strategy for hitting their targets and subsequently getting a bonus each quarter. This strategy had worked for them over the course of several years, with a side of the business that had always been considered more difficult to sell. 

    Despite this long-term success, it was revealed to them by their employer that the way that they secured their bonuses may soon no longer be viable. They had decided that they wanted to review the bonus structure to make it more challenging to earn that money, something that seemed to be in direct response to the way they had handled their targets.

  • A male business employee smiles and crosses his arms while leaning against the glass wall of an office building
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A male business employee smiles and crosses his arms while leaning against the glass wall of an office building

  • Company changing bonus structure because of me “working system”

    I was told last quarter that company is reviewing bonus structure because of me and my “sales tactics”.

    Long story short we have 2 segments of our sales. One of which is materials the other is a more service side. The service side has always been harder to crack and sell. I have found a customer who is using that side of our business that puts me over my quota in just their purchases alone. Naturally I’ve concentrated more on them and helping with more projects and uses. The material side has suffered but I have hit the bonus quota and then some the last 3 years. I was told today they are going to move the materials side to a certain number (number that is not feasible) while moving the other service side to a number where I could still hit quota but not go too much above. But both have to be hit to receive a bonus.

    Their years of honing a skill would no longer qualify them for the big reward.

  • Not to mention the service side pays a higher commission. I know I’m stuck but it’s just s***y and makes me not want to continue. It’s not like company isn’t making money, but they think I’m making too much and abusing system.

    Maybe I’m overreacting but just got me real upset after the meeting.

    Their hack was taken away from them with not much warning.

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

employee bonus sales workplace
Scroll Down For The Next Article