Money Moral Dilemma: Should I own up about my day off?

elizabethhull

I'm working as a temp at the moment and had a day off the other week. I told my manager I didn't want to use my holiday allowance, so expected to only be paid for four days. However, they forgot about the day off and I've been paid for the full five days. Should I own up?

Let's see, um, of course you shouldn't own up. Keep the money, after all it's only another big company, they can afford the mistake. Oh and don't forget to boast about it to your co-workers, they will be pleased for you.

crmism

Now stop and think - should you even be asking this question?

You didn't work that day, you didn't earn any money that day, and you have taken money under false pretences. Can I make it any clearer?

If you still believe it's reasonable to keep your mouth shut over a simple mistake on your employer's part, then you don't deserve your job and would be looked upon by him and any other employer as untrustworthy when you're found out. Furthermore, if your employer has a small business it's probably hard enough, with all the rules and regulations he has to abide by, for him/her to run it without having to keep his eye on the staff too.:mad:

chrisdy34

If you don't own up I guess it will come out of your holiday allowance anyway so you will have one less day to take later.
Honesty is usually the best policy, especially if you want to continue a relationship with this agency.

wardds

Score yourself for morals, ethics and your own conscience then add how you would feel if you were the employer = only you can decide

Fitzmichael

I'm very pleased to see and agree with the first four replies. From much of what I have observed over the past few years, many people now (compared to when I was younger - I'm 75) seem to have a much more relaxed idea of the honesty they owe to people they deal with, inc the idea that their personal honesty is not compromised if their dishonesty is just 'doing their job'. That seems to have been the attitude, from top to bottom, of directors, management and customer-facing staff in all sectors of the financial services.
I would further advise the temp that, even or especially if she knew it would not be discovered, she should tell the boss, as I would expect it would be a big + to getting taken on again or going into a reference.

badmemory

Even if you take the morality part out of this question (as I fear some people appear to have no morals), the answer remains the same. A temp caught out in this has ended this job, possibly the next few jobs if they are working through an agency, and the possibilty of becoming permanent. I just can't believe anyone would need to ask!

happyinflorida

You're working as a temp and maybe hope to get a full time job with this employer but you have to ask this question first as you are on the dishonest side a bit?!!!
Don't expect to keep your temp job when your employer finds out will you!
Idiot

gocurlygirl

Yes,let your employer know,they may have used your holiday day but at least you will be aware.
Is this a genuine question?

agrinnall

MSE Nick, do you make up this nonsense for a living? If so are there any more non-jobs going, I'm sure there are plenty of us who can come up with scenarios that present no moral difficulty whatsoever for a reasonable fee, and then you could go off and get a proper job.

yvonne13_2

MSE_Nick wrote: »

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I'm working as a temp at the moment and had a day off the other week. I told my manager I didn't want to use my holiday allowance, so expected to only be paid for four days. However, they forgot about the day off and I've been paid for the full five days. Should I own up?

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

Of course you should own up. You've spotted the error so put it right, you never they could offer you a perm job so don't mess that up.