Read how your contract really sets your pay
The compensation clause states the salary, but the parts that move, such as bonus, commission and equity, often depend on targets, discretion, plan rules or still being employed on a payout date. Ask Search+ what your pay consists of, which parts are guaranteed and what conditions apply to the rest, and open the cited excerpts from the contract and any plan documents.
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Last updated October 2026
How to check compensation terms with Search+
- Upload the contract and pay plans
Add the contract with any bonus plan, commission plan or equity grant documents it refers to. Variable pay is often defined in those plans, not in the contract.
- Ask what is fixed and what is variable
Ask "Which parts of my pay are guaranteed and which depend on conditions or discretion?" Then ask about each variable element on its own.
- Ask what happens when you leave
Ask whether bonuses, commission or unvested equity are paid or forfeited if you resign or are let go. Open each citation and read the conditions.
Questions about compensation
Does the contract promise a salary review, and does it commit to any increase?
Is the bonus guaranteed, target-based or discretionary, and what is the payout date?
How is commission calculated, and is it paid on deals that close after I leave?
What vesting schedule applies to my equity grant, and what happens to unvested units if I leave?
Can the employer recover a bonus or sign-on payment if I leave within a certain time?
What to look for in a compensation clause
A bonus described as discretionary can be reduced or withheld. Target figures do not change that unless the wording commits to pay.
Many bonus terms require you to still be employed, and sometimes not under notice, when the bonus is paid.
Commission and equity are usually governed by separate plans that can be amended. The contract may say the plan prevails over it.
Sign-on bonuses and relocation payments sometimes must be repaid if you leave early. Look for clawback or repayment language.
Search+ can answer from the contract and the pay plans together and cite each one, so you can see where every condition comes from.
Compensation wording and what to ask
| Wording you may see | What it usually signals | A follow-up question |
|---|---|---|
| "at the Company's sole discretion" | Variable pay is not guaranteed | Is any minimum bonus stated? |
| "target bonus of" | A goal, not a promise | What determines the actual payout? |
| "employed on the payment date" | A stay condition | Does being under notice affect eligibility? |
| "subject to the terms of the Plan" | The plan document controls | Which plan, and can it be amended? |
| "repay a pro rata portion" | A clawback on early exit | Over what period does repayment apply? |
| "vesting schedule" | Equity earned over time | What happens to unvested equity on termination? |
What is compensation in an employment contract?
Compensation is the pay an employee receives for work, typically base salary plus any bonus, commission, equity or other cash payments, together with the conditions that govern them.
Questions about compensation terms
Can Search+ tell me if my bonus is guaranteed?
Can it read the equity agreement with the contract?
Will it find clawback terms?
Can it explain how commission is calculated?
Is this financial or legal advice about my pay?
Know which parts of your pay are promised
Start a workspace, upload the contract and pay plans, and ask how your pay is set.
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