Potential Overpayment from Employer

Plutonomics

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice and to see where I might stand around a possible over payment from an employer.

I've worked for a large company for some time, 5 years ago they announced the office I was working at was closing down, however they could offer an alternative job at another site, luckily enough this was a higher graded job which involved a pay rise. When I started the new job my pay was adjusted and travel expenses were paid for the first year, there was also an additional payment totalling just over £1000 a year. The pay slip layouts are quite complicated with many different additions and deductions so I didn't really question this. However, after speaking to several trusted colleagues, I believe I was the only one getting this payment. Following this I got a promotion in 2014 and had a letter sent confirming a new job title and pay, alongside this there was a section saying I was entitled to an 'allowance' of the amount of this additional payment. Subsequently I have had a further promotion within the last few months and again my letter with job title and pay includes this allowance. Going off the fact this has been paid for several years and has been confirmed in writing on two job moves, would it be safe to say this is just a part of my contract?

I'm pretty sure it's all fine.. but am slightly concerned that if it was an error I could end up having to pay back £4,000+ (and rising each month). The sensible thing would be to mention it to Payroll/HR of course, but if I'm completely honest I'd rather it not be looked into just in case!

As a side note, this hasn't been raised by my employer, it is just something I'm concerned could potentially come up in the future, any advice or experience of similar situations would be much appreciated.

sangie595

If you have a written confirmation that this is part of your pay, then it is part of your pay! Why would you think it isn't?

Plutonomics

That's a good point when you put it like that! I guess it just seemed odd that there's an allowance that I didn't get any real notice of in advance and I don't believe anyone else gets (unless they're keeping equally quiet about it), I was reminded of it when I got my new job confirmation letter through the other day so thought I'd ask here. Not complaining of course as it covers the cost of my commute each month!

sangie595

As long as you have written evidence that the payment was agreed and confirmed, then even if it was a mistake, the employer wouldn't stand much of a chance of reclaiming it. This is a rare case where estoppel would apply - you had every reasonable belief that you were entitled to the money because the employer repeatedly told you that you were. Just ensure that all the paperwork is kept intact.