Case: Wage & Hour/Discretionary Bonus (C.D. Ill.)

A federal court granted summary judgment to Leidos, Inc. on the claims of an executive alleging a violation of the Illinois Wage Payment Act, after he was terminated without being counseled or reassigned, and Leidos allegedly failed to pay him an “earned” bonus. The court found that a bonus offered in a business development incentive program was discretionary under the wage act, because a memo describing eligibility for the program didn’t unequivocally promise it would be paid, and the memo expressly states participation doesn’t guarantee a payout or change at-will employment status. Though the memo outlined the goals on which ...