For the past 5 years I've been working for an agency in the live entertainment industry. I started out as an assistant to the top producing agent, and was training under him as a junior Aaent. Unfortunately, that agent unexpectedly passed away during the pandemic. The owner of the agency then asked me to take over for him.
During the pandemic, my workload tripled, as the owner decided to lay off the other assistants to cut back on costs. The owner then decided to cut back everyone's salary. During 2020 and most of 2021, I was making less than minimum wage in my state. I later found out some people within the company weren't even getting paid! They were living off off unemployment, but continuing to work. I understood why the owner was doing what he was doing, the way our company works is we don't get paid unless the events we book actually play. And during the pandemic, 90% of what we booked was either canceled or rescheduled. But even so, the company was still making more than enough to cover what each employee was being paid.
The reason I've held on for so long is the pressure I've received from others within the industry. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of my immediate boss passing away, I basically jumped 10 years in my career, and others see it was “the opportunity of a lifetime”. But in reality, the owner of the company has just been taking advantage of my loyalty and he makes me feel like I'd be an idiot if I walk away. When I did take over for my deceased boss, my salary was bumped back up to a reasonable number, but definitely not enough. Also they refused to hire an assistant to support me so I was expected to take on my deceased boss's position while also still doing my previous job, essentially doing the job of what we used to have 5 people do….
Now before COVID, agents were paid commissions on their bookings. With my current numbers, I'm owned about $10,000 in commission this year. But the owner of the company refuses to let us know whether we'll be receiving our commissions at the end of this year or not. I am also the person who handles all of the internal accounting reports. With where our numbers are this year (and the fact that the owner received $1.4 million in PPP loans in pandemic relief) it makes absolutely no sense for us to not be paid our commissions for this year.
I've decided to tell the owner of the agency that I expect my commissions I'm owed for 2022 by the end of the year, and that if I'm not paid my commissions, I'll be submitting my 2 weeks notice. Long story short, do you feel it's best I tell him this on the phone, or via email???????
Any and all advice is much appreciated.