Opinion ID: 1841665
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Unpaid Bonus

Text: With respect to bonuses paid to Rosno while employed with PBS, Strasheim testified that Rosno received a bonus on October 15, 1993, after his first year with PBS and again on December 31, 1994, after his second year with PBS. Thereafter, Rosno did not receive any further bonuses while employed with PBS. Rosno testified that when he met with another principal of PBS, Strasheim's brother, in the summer of 1995 to discuss Rosno's salary review, Rosno asked about his bonus. According to Rosno, Strasheim's brother responded by telling Rosno he would get the bonus in December. On cross-examination, Rosno testified that he was also told he had earned the bonus, but admitted he never received anything in writing stating he was going to receive a bonus for that year. Rosno also admitted that effective August 1995, he received a salary raise in an amount similar to his bonuses received in October 1993 and December 1994. Rosno contends that the trial court erred in failing to award Rosno his promised $5,000 annual bonus. The relevant section of the employment agreement provides: 3. Salary and Bonuses: . . . Employer may pay Rosno a bonus at any time during the term of the Agreement. However, Rosno shall be paid a bonus of $5,000.00 after Rosno's first year of employment. (Emphasis supplied.) According to the terms of the employment agreement, PBS was required to pay Rosno a bonus during his first year of employment only. PBS was not obligated to pay Rosno a bonus in any other year. While Rosno contends that Strasheim's brother orally promised him a bonus, the employment agreement requires that any changes to the employment agreement be made in writing. Rosno admitted that he did not receive anything in writing from PBS confirming that he would receive a bonus in 1995. Accordingly, this assignment of error is without merit.