I achieved my turnover target by over £100k and profitability target by almost that too.
There was a £6k carrot for achieving my targets so I went knocking on the appropriate door only to be told that the target set wasn’t meant to be achieved and they had no money to pay me!
I quickly found another job and handed in my notice. They said they’d pay up if I stayed so I said I’d stay then asked for a letter clearly explaining they would pay the bonus.
Luckily they omitted the bit saying I had to stay to get my bonus and the next day I handed my notice in again. (I went to the dizzy accountant when he was busiest looking to get the letter)
The MD wasn’t at all happy but congratulated me on having him over as nobody ever pulled the wool over his eyes like that before and congratulated me again on engineering and executing such a well devised plan
I replied that I didn’t know what he was talking about in the most insincere way possible so he bloomin well knew I’d just shafted him good style with a perfectly executed plan but without saying those words.
I got paid a few months later, a few months before they went pop.
I’ve not bothered with jobs that offer bonuses because I’ve never got one without taking steps.