An IBM sales executive on a salary of $295,000 is suing the company because it paid her a bonus of $543,000 – half a million dollars less than she believes is owed to her.

Fiona White is an account manager in IBM's business solutions area who, according to a statement of claim filed in the Federal Court, is suing the company for loss and damage.

Bonus battle: Fiona White.

Ms White has worked for IBM since October 2010 and is still working at the computing and consulting giant – despite suing the company and attempting to penalise it $138 for each day that her outstanding bonus is not paid.

Legal counsel for Ms White appeared in a directions hearing on Monday morning over the matter. IBM had a two-person legal team opposing Ms White.