Actually, speaking from experience…These “guarantee” bonus payments area always renegotiable when push comes to shove.’
During the dot bomb implosions hey-days, there were cases in which bonus/compensation was signed with a 2-3 year agreement with a full vesting clause for early termination from RIF. When push came to shove, and folks got axed, companies ended up cutting the “guaranteed” bonuses down to 40-50%. Companies figured that for the cost of a employee to hiring an an attorney, sue, and try to recoup the amount + time in litigation, it would bring the take home comp back to around 40-50% Pretty shitty thing to do from an employee perspective, but in this particular circumstance, it would be appropriate. Most people ended up settlng for the reduced bonus distribution, if any.