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Been overpaid at work

I just noticed that I have been overpaid at work over the last few months. It's completely an error by the payroll department and I understand I'm going to have to pay it back, but is there any kind of law or anything that dictates how they're able to take it back? I'm worried to bring it to their attention as I don't know if they can just take the full amount out of my next pay, and I couldn't afford that at the moment.

Comments

  • There isn't any law, with the exception that the deduction cannot take you below the national minimum wage (except in retail, where I think the maximum monthly deduction is 10% of your wage or not below the NMW). But you stand a better chance of negotiating it if you tell them first. If they continue to make the mistake you will end up owing them more, and they may be less amenable.
  • just put the overpayment in to a deposit account each pay day so when they realise their mistake you are ready--Don't forget the over payment includes overpayment of tax & ni on your part too
  • how would you like for the recepient to respond if you were overpaying a standing order?????

    therein lies your answer
  • antonic
    antonic Posts: 1,978 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    My employer ( the Civil Service) could take disciplinary action against me if I failed to notify them of a mistake in my pay (ie I got to much).

    Did you tell HR of the overpayment or did you think no-one would notice ?

    If you had told HR and they hadnt done anything then I would have sympathy for you and you would have the upper hand in any discussions in repaying it back, but if you didnt tell them , then they can insist on you repaying it, but they should allow you to repay at a reasonable rate.
  • is it an error in calculation so payslip is inflated along with money received?

    Or does payslip have x amount and money received is y?

    You should report it immediately - that goes without saying. If it is the latter then when you get caught you are going to land in a lot of trouble. They will do the audit to make sure money paid out vs wage bill and notice the discrepancy and then find who is getting overpaid.

    The longer you leave it the worse it's going to look. Maybe you can tell them you didn't notice and you never check your statements on internet banking but that is a hard sell. So even if they can't sack you or give you a formal warning over it - they will never trust you and you will look like a thief in their eyes.
  • I believe I've heard you can ask for the overpayment to be spread over the length of time it built up, especially as it was not your fault.
    Clearly the longer it takes you to notify them the bigger the problem is likely to be.
    Are you sure it's wrong? Tax codes/income can be hard to calculate so maybe they're right? Double check.
    Over what time frame do you think you can pay it back? Can you offer a repayment plan?
    df
    Making my money go further with MSE :j
    How much can I save in 2012 challenge
    75/1200 :eek:
  • If you've only just noticed you've been overpaid for the past few months then presumably you have been using your money as if you had been receiving the correct amount, so isn't the additional money still in your account and available to pay back?
This discussion has been closed.
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