Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to use staff discount after I've quit?

Rusty_Moskvitch

I think it depends on the terms of the discount. Is it written anywhere that this is ONLY for current employees? Many organisations allow ex-employees to still enjoy the benefits of being associated with the company. OK, so you are getting a discount but they are still making a sale and also making a profit (because their mark up must surely be more than the discount). So you are helping the company to turn over its stock and also  to keep people employed in these difficult times. I would say that you should continue to enjoy your association with the firm and their discount scheme for as long as you want to unless it is specificly forbidden to ex-employees.. Don't feel bad about it - they were making a profit from your labours for many years and no doubt they are grateful for the time you spent with them.

Ali_&_Dave

MSE_Kelvin said:

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

It's a year since I left my job with a large, well-known fashion brand, which I still buy from regularly online. As employees, we got a secret code for 20% off and free delivery, which I assumed would be deactivated after I quit. Evidently, this isn't the case as I still use the code for every purchase. It's hardly a MoneySaving brand, so I couldn't afford to buy stuff from it as often as I do if I had to pay full price. My mate who still works there says the company won't care because they're still making a sale, but it feels dishonest. Should I stop?

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If you really want the correct answer why don't you contact your ex-employer and ask them rather than just hope everyone says "it'll be ok to carry on". I think you know the answer already.

rachellelouise

I would continue to use it!

REJP

Keep using the discount which is only for staff members and quite bluntly you are a thief.
No dilemma here.  You are just trying to get people who are dishonest to tell you it is alright to steal.  As noted previously, the words "staff discount" should tell you not to use the discount scheme.
You are not staff.  No discount.  Don't steal.  What will you do if the company finds out you still use the discount scheme dishonestly, and they find out on the day you ask for a reference for a new job? While the law regarding references says they must not write anything derogatory like " this ex employee steals via our staff discount scheme", they can refuse to give a reference which is a red flag to prospective employers.
Do the right thing, you know it makes sense.

davidmcclen

As I see it, there are three issues here.

1. are you permitted to do it? Rights to staff benefits will be contained within your contract. It’s almost certain that the staff discount is contractually only offered to those whilst in employment with the company. 

2. Is it wrong to keep using it? By feeling the need to ask the question, it shows you feel that it is wrong but understandably don’t wish to give up the discount. And as some have pointed out big companies offer discounts all the time, make lots of money, should keep a tighter track of what staff are doing etc. But at the end of the day, the discount is clearly intended (and almost certainly only contractually entitled) for current employees and use of it is a misuse. 

3. Should you keep using it? This is something you have to decide. Strictly speaking you are most likely in breach of your employment contract and liable to repay any misused discounts. But it’s extremely unlikely that your ex employer would seek to recover these - it’s just not worth the hassle. So you’re left with a pure moral dilemma that only you can decide how to navigate. Save a bit of cash by doing wrong that you’ll most likely get away with or stop using the codes and stop stressing, knowing that you’re acting with integrity and honesty. 

pammieb

It's a bit cheeky, really, isn't it? 

And, if you were rumbled for your dishonesty, I think that you can say kiss your chances goodbye, as regards any future unforseen favours that you might require from your old employer.

Such as a decent reference, for example?

Your choice, but it wouldn't be mine!

sarahsays

Each to their own - may be some awkward questions from the company in the future though! The worst one I heard on here was someone on the mortgage free wannabe forum, whose husband booked business travel on hotels.com on his personal credit card, claimed those expenses from the company he worked for, and then, without making the company aware of it, used the free reward nights accrued on hotels.com for personal family holidays!  He seemingly travelled a lot for work so had a lot of free reward nights for personal holidays. His wife put herself across as being a paragon of virtue, emphasised church-going, helping out at church etc, but saw nothing wrong with this! Decidedly dodgy I would have thought.

Matt8888

sarahsays said:

Each to their own - may be some awkward questions from the company in the future though! The worst one I heard on here was someone on the mortgage free wannabe forum, whose husband booked business travel on hotels.com on his personal credit card, claimed those expenses from the company he worked for, and then, without making the company aware of it, used the free reward nights accrued on hotels.com for personal family holidays!  He seemingly travelled a lot for work so had a lot of free reward nights for personal holidays. His wife put herself across as being a paragon of virtue, emphasised church-going, helping out at church etc, but saw nothing wrong with this! Decidedly dodgy I would have thought.

This is the worst you heard?! This is very, very common practice and businesses will be well aware that frequent travellers build up benefits from airmiles and hotel loyalty schemes etc (or even just basic credit card reward points). Some businesses may have policies against it, but none that I have worked for or heard of. I have top tier travel status with several airlines thanks to business travel which gets me huge benefits including, upgraded flights (often free or using accrued airmiles) and free flights using airmiles. This is no secret. On a really lucky run, I was upgraded for free on four out of five personal flights in a row, free of charge at the gate, thanks to the airline policy of overbooking (pre-Covid). This was all because of the "status" my frequent flying got me, much of which was as a result of business travel. The companies know full well. Perhaps they see it as a non-taxable benefit? Perhaps it is too much hassle to find a way to claw rewards back for business use, which would be very complicated. Perhaps it is seen as a perk for spending time away from family in boring hotel rooms around the world, sleep deprived in different time zones? Or perhaps it is because the senior decision makers over such things usually benefit themselves from such things!? Take your pick, but it is not "wrong". It is entirely accepted practice and no company out there is unaware that employees can and do get such benefits. I know that it may grate and seem unfair to people who do not get such benefits from their employment, but there is nothing underhand about it. It is entirely above board and normal.

eddmac2

 ex-staff are entitled to keep using the discount.

Bashyacta

I’m saddened by comments that have suggested it’s OK to use a staff discount you’re no longer entitled to if your employer is a large company but not if it’s a small family-run one; and that it’s OK as the company has not taken steps to prevent you. Do the same arguments apply to stealing?