Paid too much - keep quiet or come clean?

Earnshp

I’ve just received my first payslip since my (less than inflation) pay rise and I’m getting more than expected. From my calculations they have paid my travel allowance twice. My employer has done this before, I didn’t realise at the time, but it was discovered a year later, I wasn’t required to pay the £800 extra back, but after the changes my net salary decreased despite a small pay rise. Should I tell my employer (a successful financial investment company) and lose approx. £100 a month or wait for them to discover the error and hope they don’t insist on recompense? Without the error my pay increase will be £25 a month, and just to clarify I am paying the correct tax/NI for the amount earned.

nicechap

Plenty of advice in recent threads about same dilemma:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search.php?searchid=194264341

comeandgo

There is a very good chance they will discover their error and you won't be viewed in a very good light by not bringing it to their attention.

Earnshp

I have no doubt they will discover the error, but it is not my error and I'd be an idiot to admit I knew there was an error, should it be my responsibility to ensure they do their jobs correctly?

tealady

Tell employer

Its dishonesty and IMO I would consider gross misconduct and dismiss.

Manxman_in_exile

tealady wrote: »

Its dishonesty and IMO I would consider gross misconduct and dismiss.

Harsh! But fair...

nicechap

Earnshp wrote: »

I have no doubt they will discover the error, but it is not my error and I'd be an idiot to admit I knew there was an error, should it be my responsibility to ensure they do their jobs correctly?

IMHO, someone who spotted a mistake and highlighted it would be a decent employee.

I agree with others, dismissal for gross misconduct would be within the range of sanctions open to an employer.

DCFC79

Tell employer

Yes come clean now.


Put the extra money into a savings account and when its asked for you can give it back.

TELLIT01

As the OP says this has happened before there is likely to be an assumption on the part of the employer that the employee would realise what has happened. That being the case, the employer could reasonably expect the employee to tell them it had happened again. Failure to do so could have all sorts of ramifications up to and including dismissal.

[Deleted User]

Tell employer

Very simple.

Fess up after double checking your own calculations.

I once had employment when the boss handed out payslips advising some of us had been overpaid and some underpaid, I fell into the overpaid and had to deal with knowing it was a period when some of my colleagues were underpaid.

Doing the right thing ensured me a reference for years - even after the company closed!! despite the company's omission it had indeed made a mistake in first place.

Rosco62

Tell employer

OP......you know what the answer is....in the long run coming clean and telling them will be well worth it