Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tell my employer I've been overpaid?

lisa46_2

Report it, preferably in writing - email is best as it's difficult to say they never received it. If you get any response verbally, then put your understanding of that response in writing.

Basically, your employer can recover an overpayment of wages by deduction from your future salary. They have to do it 'reasonably' so if it's a large amount they should offer to do so over a period of time.

However, if you are told it isn't an error they lose this right, even if it turns out not to be correct. Then they would have to pursue it in court.

You might find that you're not the only one and that other people report it; or for some other reason the error is spotted. This could happen months down the line when you've spent the money and then find yourself short, so be careful if you decide not to come clean.