Opinion ID: 2778157
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Bahr’s Continued Employment

Text: TCP strives to foreclose summary judgment in Bahr’s favor by positing that her retention of the reduced sum in concert with her continued employment modified any contract rights she once had.7 The unreported case on which TCP relies involved a modification that resulted from a company’s repeated failure to pay an employee’s commissions due under an employment contract and the employee’s implicit acquiescence to the repeated practice of nonpayment. Friedenfeld v. Withrop Resources Corp., C5-0201606/C4-02-1659, 2003 WL 1908112,  (Minn. Ct. App. Apr. 22, 2003). Bahr’s bonus was derived from a distinct plan dealing only with her performance in 2011 and not an ongoing employment contract. There was one bonus, which she did not receive in full, and it vested prior to her resignation. See Kvidera, 705 N.W.2d at 423 (“[R]espondent’s right to the [bonus] vested . . . the day after the expiration of the [applicable bonus period].”). Thus, she could not have acquiesced to a new arrangement where it was generally understood that bonuses were a discretionary award. 7 TCP also asserts that Bahr’s continued employment effected an accord and satisfaction, but has waived this defense as it was not raised below. Macurdy v. Sikov & Love, P.A., 894 F.2d 818, 824 (6th Cir. 1990). 17 No. 14-3356 We recapitulate: the C&I Bonus Plan was a sufficiently definite offer; Bahr accepted the offer by giving the valuable consideration of her continued employment; TCP did not timely exercise its discretion to amend, change, cancel or modify the Bonus Plan (or Bahr’s award thereunder); nor did Bahr’s acceptance of the inadequate sum modify her previously vested rights. Thus, Bahr was entitled to an award equal to 200% of her base salary, and she is now due at minimum the $51,716 unpaid balance of her bonus. That TCP overextended its finances is irrelevant. A party may not forego one obligation merely because they believe the satisfaction of another is more important. There is no language in the C&I Bonus Plan that makes the payouts thereunder subordinate to TCP’s bank financing terms. TCP was aware when it offered the Bonus Plan to induce Bahr’s retention and continued excellence that her bonus liability in particular was tracking toward a substantial figure. TCP reserved many outs so that it would not be bound to its offer on the basis of substantial performance. That the company failed to exercise its reserved rights is the basis for its liability. We find it unnecessary to fully discuss Bahr’s breach of bilateral contract claim, but note our agreement with the district court’s grant of summary judgment on that issue. The preemployment email exchange does not support Bahr’s contention that she joined TCP based on the explicit promise that TCP would institute a specific bonus plan. Moreover, TCP instituted a bonus plan that was more advantageous than what was previewed in the email exchange. Bahr’s other theories of recovery are also fruitless, but need not be addressed. We do not pass judgment on Bahr’s right to amend her complaint. 18 No. 14-3356