New employer promised high commissions to offset a low base salary — when he broke his word, the employee quit and made the company pay even more
Work agreements are built on trust, especially when employees make major career decisions based on promised pay and opportunities. One worker experienced this after leaving a long-term job for a new role that offered the chance to earn more through commissions. They later shared the experience on Reddit under the username u/crimsngaze on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where they explained how a disagreement over promised earnings pushed them to take action. The situation became a lesson about checking employment terms carefully and speaking up when something does not match expectations.
My employer misled me about my pay and now they’ll owe more than if they’d paid me fairly.
by u/crimsngaze in antiwork
The new job came with a low base salary but promised a strong commission rate after reaching monthly targets. After joining, they handled a demanding client and worked nights and weekends while hoping the additional earnings would make the workload worthwhile. However, when the first commission payment arrived, they were shocked to find it was far below what they expected. They said it was “1% compared to 10%,” leaving them confused about the difference. After quitting later, they successfully received unemployment benefits, which resulted in the company paying more than it would have if the original agreement had been followed.
The Reddit user first contacted HR for clarification, but was directed to their manager, who claimed the commission details had already been explained. They disagreed, saying they had repeatedly asked about the expected amount before receiving the payment. When they requested a breakdown, the manager provided a spreadsheet that included deductions they had not expected, including business expenses and the salaries of offshore employees hired before they joined. After realizing the issue would not be resolved, the employee gathered documents to support their case.
They saved emails with HR, the original offer letter, sales records, and conversations about their commission. They then submitted their resignation and applied for unemployment benefits, despite knowing approval could be difficult after leaving voluntarily. They explained that they were unsure about the outcome but wanted to show that they had a valid reason for their decision. Their careful record-keeping helped present a clear picture of what happened. The individual shared that the hearing ended in their favor and that they received back pay for the period they were unemployed. They described the result as “a victory” against what they believed was a misleading pay arrangement, adding that they were "fortunate enough to be offered a job to start next month."
Knowing your rights can make a significant difference when disputes arise. In another incident, a renter discovered important housing rules after receiving a handwritten rent increase notice from their landlord. Instead of accepting it, they researched their rights and found that the notice did not follow the required process. Their search also revealed unresolved issues with the property that needed attention. After authorities became involved, the landlord agreed to settle the matter with a payment of $4,000. The renter explained that they were “not a lawyer” and said, “I just had a bad afternoon and a working internet connection,” showing how simple research helped them take action.