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

kazt2006

Yes Yes Yes, please tell your employer!

From someone who works with payroll data, they will find out eventually and then either deduct it from your next months salary, ask you repay in instalments or if you've left pursue you for the overpayment which could result in debt collectors coming after you with all that entails. That's my current employers policy.

Having said in as a student I was overpaid for 2 weeks I didn't work (due to Uni exams) and the employer seemed not to care or notice. I put the money away in a savings account for 12 months (called bank of mum). Having done a 6 month contract though, you could always say it was holiday in lieu of payment. That was 15+ years ago and if they want the £275 back they can have it!

Fitzmichael

As someone who works with payroll data, what do you think might happen if your old employer spotted what you had done, then came across you and where you work and told your boss? Chickens/roost?

General_Grant

The supposed OP situation is one where the questioner could simply complain that they had been paid holiday pay they wanted to save till later.

(Depending on tax situation I have certainly in the past delayed claiming holiday pay for temp work even when taking holiday so that I could move it into the next tax year and probably pay less tax on it because I would be taking a longer break in the next tax year and not moving into the higher tax bracket.)

Bellisima

I worked as a temp several years ago. At the end of the week I filled in, on an official time sheet, the hours I worked. This form was signed by the manager of the firm I was temping at, and then I passed it to my Agency, From that they worked out my wages for that week. Maybe things are different now, but I wouldn't have thought a verbal communication was enough? Are time sheets no longer used?

If this really happened then of course you should tell the agency you were overpaid.

Cloudane

Yeah, own up. Treat others as you wish to be treated. If we all go around with the attitude of "well they'd rip me off given the chance, so I might as well" then... well we often do already... it just feeds into it. Be the honesty you want to see in the world and all that

Barryfan

OF COURSE you should tell him! You wouldn't be asking this question if you were underpaid would you? What about showing some loyalty to your employer. As you're temping you'll presumably want a reference if you move on to other employment.

Kazykazbar

be honest dont become a thief if you no something is wrong and dont say anything it shows poor moral character ask that the money is deducted at a set amount per week until repaid that way it wont impact on you too much:)

Growmac

Unless you want to become unemployable because you've been caught being dishonest then yes, of course you should point it out. No dilemma.

Dwalsh45

It's all about Trust and having a sense of well being - If you had no MOT on your car, the moment you see a police car, the feeling becomes very uncomfortable. Each time your employer wants to see you about something or you talk to your boss for something completely UN-related, the feeling becomes uncomfortable. Best to feel good about yourself....always!

gaving7095

Yes, definitely tell them - obviously. Sorry to sound judgemental but only a scumbag would even ask this question.

Also, why not just give your poor employer a break and take holiday from holiday allowance?