Pay & Bonus Disputes Lawyers
Glasgow, Scotland

Expert Employment Solicitors for Pay Disputes in Glasgow

Miller Samuel Hill Brown are leading Scottish employment lawyers advising clients across Glasgow and throughout Scotland on contractual pay disputes and remuneration claims.

Our employment law team acts for employees, senior executives, directors and employers in relation to:

• Unpaid wages
• Bonus disputes
• Commission disputes
• Equal pay claims
• Unlawful deductions from wages
• Breach of contract claims
• Incentive schemes
• Deferred remuneration disputes

We provide practical, commercially focused advice designed to resolve disputes as quickly and effectively as possible.

Workplace Pay Disputes

Employees are entitled to receive the pay and benefits agreed within their contract of employment. Even where salary arrangements appear straightforward, disputes can still arise over entitlement, calculations or deductions.

Pay disputes commonly involve:

• Unpaid salary or wages
• Incorrect deductions from pay
• Holiday pay disputes
• Overtime disagreements
• Equal pay concerns
• Disputes over contractual benefits

Disagreements about pay can damage workplace relationships and often require urgent legal advice to avoid escalation.

Unlawful Deduction from Wages Claims

An employer cannot usually make deductions from wages unless:

• The deduction is authorised by law
• The employment contract permits the deduction
• The employee has given written consent

Examples of disputed deductions may include:

• Overpayment recovery
• Training costs
• Damage to company property
• Salary deductions linked to performance
• Unauthorised withholding of pay

Employees may be able to bring claims for unlawful deduction from wages before the Employment Tribunal.

Equal Pay Claims

Equal pay disputes arise where employees believe they are receiving less favourable pay than colleagues carrying out equal work.

Equal pay law may apply where employees perform:

• Like work
• Work rated as equivalent
• Work of equal value

Claims can involve salary, bonuses, pension benefits, overtime rates and other contractual terms.

Our solicitors advise both employees and employers on equal pay legislation, pay audits and potential Employment Tribunal claims.

Bonus and Commission Disputes

Bonus and commission arrangements are often complex. Disputes commonly arise where there is uncertainty over entitlement, calculation methods or employer discretion.

We regularly advise on disputes involving:

• Discretionary bonus schemes
• Guaranteed bonuses
• Sales commission
• Annual performance bonuses
• Deferred bonus arrangements
• Share incentive schemes
• Long-term incentive plans

The wording of the employment contract, bonus scheme rules and historical payment practices will often be central to the dispute.

Discretionary Bonuses

Many employers retain discretion over bonus payments. Even where a scheme is described as discretionary, employers must still exercise that discretion fairly and rationally.

A bonus decision may potentially be challenged where:

• The employer acted irrationally
• Relevant factors were ignored
• The decision was discriminatory
• The process breached contractual obligations

Legal advice can help determine whether a bonus decision may be challenged successfully.

Commission Disputes

Commission disputes often arise when employees leave employment, particularly where deals complete after resignation or dismissal.

Questions frequently arise regarding:

• When commission is earned
• Whether targets were achieved
• How commission should be calculated
• Whether commission survives termination of employment

Careful analysis of the contractual wording is usually required to determine entitlement.

Breach of Contract Claims

Where an employer fails to comply with contractual pay obligations, employees may have grounds for a breach of contract claim.

These claims may involve:

• Failure to pay agreed remuneration
• Withdrawal of contractual benefits
• Breach of bonus arrangements
• Failure to honour commission terms

Depending on the circumstances, claims may proceed in the Employment Tribunal or civil courts.

Advice for Employers

Pay disputes can expose businesses to legal, financial and reputational risk.

Our employment lawyers advise employers on:

• Drafting bonus and commission schemes
• Reviewing employment contracts
• Equal pay compliance
• Handling wage disputes
• Resolving executive remuneration disputes
• Defending Employment Tribunal claims

Clear contractual drafting and consistent processes can significantly reduce the risk of future disputes.

Advice for Employees

If you believe you have been underpaid or denied bonus or commission payments unfairly, we can assess your legal position and advise on the available options.

Our solicitors can assist with:

• Reviewing contracts and bonus schemes
• Negotiating settlements
• Employment Tribunal claims
• Equal pay disputes
• Recovering unpaid wages
• Senior executive remuneration disputes

We provide straightforward advice focused on achieving a practical outcome.

Why Choose Miller Samuel Hill Brown?

Our employment law team has extensive experience handling complex pay and remuneration disputes across Scotland.

Clients choose us for:

We advise clients throughout Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and across Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions