MY FU money came in handy at a moment 25 years ago, where I was hired as the credit manager of a regional branch of a national copier company that was floundering - and that was why they needed me, because they could not keep up with the receivables. The credit department was so overworked, that I would get 80-90 messages per day with NEW problems for my staff of 6 to address, on top of the previous day's, such that by friday I had over 400 messages that I could not return, after spending all week working on last week's 400 problems. Management was patient, and I was making progress, hiring 4 temps, getting the staff humming as a team, and collecting more money each week, reducing receivables outstanding by 15% in the second month, 25% by the third month on the job, etc. A real pressure cooker environment. In month 4 the CFO leaves, leaving me the 2nd highest financial executive in the region, after the comptroller, who has no idea how I do my job. Then the company hires a general manager VP with no credit experience - fun ensues. Without any research or understanding of the business situation, he calls a meeting of the department heads and gives a speech to "lay down the law" - including "as of now, all bonuses are cancelled" - so I raise my hand and ask the question: " Does that include bonuses that are legal obligations under a properly approved employment contract between myself and the company?" Steam comes out of his ears....and then the HR head confirms in front of the entire management staff that, yes, I am the only one with an employment contract that obligates the company to pay me bonuses if certain targets are met (and I am ahead of those targets already) for the next 2 years.... Then he goes on ... "All vacation time or days off are cancelled for the indefinite future" I raise my hand: "I have a day off Friday which was approved months ago by your predecessor for me to participate as best man in a wedding. It is out of town (250 miles away) and I cannot be here Friday" His response: "YOU WILL BE IN THE OFFICE THAT FRIDAY" My response: "Sorry but that is not possible. I will be out that day" Steam comes out of his ears again... and he storms out. After the wedding, I come in bright an early Monday to find he calls me into his office and suspends me. I am to return to my office and sit there doing nothing. I read the paper all day, and the next and the next. The Comptroller is told to do my job too, on top of his own. The Comptroller begs me to help him handle the weekly conference call with the main office CFO and Credit Manager who grills him on our progress ... and I answer all their questions. By the next week, I am reinstated in the job. But the finances worsen to the point that within a few more months, the situation is hopeless, and I am let go with the comptroller, and the VP, and the region is shut down. Soon after the entire company files for bankruptcy. But thanks to my employment contract, and my FU money, I had a helluva fun time pissing off the jerk VP, and became a bit legendary among the company staff - many of whom keep in touch.