MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Grant's been overpaid, should he keep it?

littlescousemouse · 23 March 2007 at 12:40PM

I have a similar dilemma to Grant's at the moment... I was overpaid by my last employers- big international book company- on my final paycheck. This happened at the end of January. I told them 5 days after when I realised what they'd done (was on SSP after being injured at work at the time so should have received approx £300- not the £1200 that I did receive). The store referred me onto payroll at head office who have messed me around since then with different calculations of how much I owe them. They reckon I owe them nearly £600, whereas my figures come out nearer to £300 (as they consistently messed up my SSP which will affect my tax refunds as well- grrr).

I'm a student and I need to be able to budget for this money, I feel really wound up with them as everytime I call them I get brushed off and spoken to like dirt. It's been nearly 2 months now. I've done everything I can, speaking to payroll, the store, the management, sending faxes containing my calculations, and they haven't shown me the same courtesy. What can I do next? I don't want to be chased down for this in months to come when I've booked a holiday or something! Please help!

2Princess_Mum · 25 March 2007 at 12:12AM

Own up - chances are the boss may let him keep it anyway since he's been so honest about it

Marlee · 25 March 2007 at 10:06AM

Own up ! If he was short paid he would complain. Treat others as you want them to treat you - remember what goes arouund comes around (eventually).

mindi_007 · 26 March 2007 at 4:51AM

Definetly own up. If they used to get on with each other it may cause bad feeling if Phil suddenly finds out he has overpaid Grant. Grant may need the job in the future and it may burn bridges. Grant can leave with a clear conscience if he owns up.

tiggat28 · 28 March 2007 at 1:10PM

Yeah, I would say definately tell Phil, cos I don't reckon you would enjoy spending it anyway!!!!!

siber · 28 March 2007 at 3:12PM

If the situation involved an entire full-time week's pay, then you should own up. However, in my part-time past I had a really useless line manager who never got the timesheets right (or submitted in time for payroll for that matter). Therefore, I kept track of my own hours worked and monies due. If my pay was under the amount I thought due, I'd question it. If I was significantly (more than 3 hours) overpaid, I'd own up to it and work time for free in order to compensate. If it was less than £10 over, I'd forget it, figuring that it'd take valuable staff time and bank transfers etc to sort it, and just call it quits for all the extra quarter hours I had to put in at the end of the day, covering lunches and having to keep my own timesheets etc.

Stupid line manager...

Lemhead · 30 March 2007 at 8:05PM

He should check it with the boss. It could be an error in his calculations and he is entitled to it. If it is an overpayment and the boss finds out what the reference going to look like.....!

:beer: Best stay friends!

smegger100 · 2 April 2007 at 6:56PM

I left a firm around six months ago and got a job nearby.

Previously the firm I worked for had been taken over/bought out as a going concern around 18 mths before I eventually left.

I Have just found out thet the firm I was working for for 10 yrs, which sold my part of the company as a going concern has been paying my gym fees for the last 2 yrs and nothing has ever been said.

I went to the gym for the first time in six months last week but it was only after going today I have realised the situation I appear to be in.

I have not given a thought to fees for the last 7 yrs as it was apparently taken from my wages but, after asking tonight I have found out I have always been a peak member (I thought I was off-peak) and my original company (a v.large multinational) are still paying.

Any thoughts??????

JayD · 3 April 2007 at 10:22AM

Well Grant should point out the error and repay the overpayment of course. Anything else is theft. Also, should the boss ever discover the mistake (which is highly probable) he has every right to reclaim the overpayment and the failure of Grant to have owned up at the time will have soured their relationship and shown that Grant is an untrustworthy employee.

PATRICIA_KELLY_2 · 4 April 2007 at 11:40AM

I Know Someone Who Had This Done In His Pay But He Didn't Know But Was Told Last Week It Will Now Be Tacken Out Of His Wages So They Do Catch Up With You In The End