The situation
Fieldnote Studio had promised its lead designer a performance bonus in an offer email, but the contract she signed said something different. Twelve months later the bonus was due, the two documents disagreed and she had a competing offer on the table.
The founders wanted to keep her. They also needed to avoid setting a precedent for the rest of the team.
What I did
- Read the offer email, the contract and every message about the bonus, and set out where the studio was exposed.
- Explained the options to the founders in a one-page note: pay in full, pay a revised amount, or rely on the contract.
- Drafted a short variation letter with a clear bonus formula for the next three years.
- Joined one call with the designer and her adviser to agree the final wording.
The outcome
The designer signed the new terms nine days after the founders first called. She is still at the studio, and every contract since uses the same bonus wording.
