Can An Employer Set Goals After You Start Employment And Constantly Threaten You ?

I am set annual targets at work in what I do, then have an intrim appraisal. Though my employers don’t cut my wages, they wont give me a payrise either if I fail to meet the targets. Having no payrise these days actually amounts to a paycut due to rising prices. They would love to actually cut my pay, but I don’t think they can legally. It should all be outlined and explained in your contract of employment – which YOU signed and agreed to of course.

Hello George
This is very much dependent upon what type of job you’ve been employed to undertake, and the duties and expectations of that job.
First and foremost you should have signed an employment agreement or contract which includes a job description, company policy, compliance with labour laws and remuneration details.
If your job description outlines the expectation that you must meet set sales targets, then it becomes a condition of employment that these targets (or sales goals) be met. If the contract stipulates that there will be a cut in pay as a penalty for not meeting these targets, then this also becomes a condition of employment.
These things need to be understood and negotiated before an employment agreement or contract is signed and employment commences. If these conditions aren’t detailed in such a way or weren’t made aware to you before undertaking the work, then you could have a case against your employer.

When you joined the company you should have had a contract of employment – this may not have been in writing but you should have been given a clear statement e.g. a letter of appointment, of your role and responsibilities and of the pay you would receive for performing your duties. Typically, in a sales job, you would be paid either 100% commission on sales, or you would be paid a ‘basic’ wage plus a commission based on sales. The basic wage should not be affected by performance, but the commission payable could be varied over time.
If your employer is reneging on the initial contract and threatening to reduce your pay/commission you have to ask yourself some questions, like
1 Is your employer being unreasonable and unfair – if your sales performance is as good as that of other people employed in the firm is he treating them the same way or picking on you?
2 Are you as good at the job as he wants you to be? If not, are you in the wrong job? Do you think you have it in you to improve your performance to the level that he expects.
3 If this is having an effect on your health, e.g. by increasing your stress levels, are you sure that you want to carry on working for this guy?
Let’s face it – if he treats all his staff badly, the only reason that they’d stay is if the money is good enough for them to put up with him.
I suggest you get another job and then hand in your notice. Life’s too short to put up with people who make you sick.

Depends on your contract. If your contract doesn’t outline a set annual salary, then unfortunately yes he can. If you are perceiving it as threats he is obviously not a good employer and fails to understand basic motivational methods.

Yes, sales people often are required to meet quotas and to perform to standard.
That’s they way it is I’m afraid, there isn’t much to do about it.

yes