Veterinary Contract Nightmare
Hello everyone! I wanted to share my situation and see how other people’s contracts are structured, especially regarding production pay.
I used to do relief work because I needed the flexibility since I travel frequently. One of the hospitals I worked relief for offered me a part-time position. I initially said no, but the owners kept insisting until I eventually agreed. They knew from the beginning that I travel often and said they were completely fine with it. They also told me the contract would benefit both of us because I would still have flexibility while also having more “stability.”
I was offered a base salary, and my contract explicitly states:
“Employer agrees to pay Employee twenty percent (20%) of Veterinarian Production (defined herein) on all fees collected above the base salary for veterinary services.”
Before signing, I specifically asked them to explain how the compensation worked, and they basically repeated the same thing: 20% on all fees collected above my base salary.
The production bonus is supposed to be paid quarterly. During the first quarter, I was away for one month. I was supposed to receive my payment on April 30th, but after not hearing anything, I casually asked about it a week later. That’s when they told me I wouldn’t be receiving any bonus because I “didn’t generate enough revenue.”
The issue is that they calculated my production as ProSal, even though the contract never specifically states that it’s a ProSal structure. Because I was away for one of the three months, I obviously didn’t hit the target under that model. But according to the wording in the contract, I understood it as a straightforward base salary plus 20% of collected revenue above that amount.
For context, I still generated about 3.5x my base salary during the quarter.
The main dispute is that the contract never mentions ProSal or a production threshold calculated that way. It literally says 20% on fees collected above base salary.
I already had a lawyer review the contract before signing, and I’ve spoken with him again now. He agrees that based on the wording, I’m owed that money. We’re likely heading toward a legal dispute, but before that, I’d really like to hear other veterinarians’ experiences.
For those of you on ProSal, how is production wording written in your contracts? Does it specifically mention negative accrual, adjusted production targets, or ProSal calculations?
Also, does anyone here have a contract that is simply base salary plus a straight production percentage above that amount, without ProSal adjustments?
Thank you in advance to anyone that is willing to read this long message and provide some advice, opinion, etc.