Money Moral Dilemma: Should I keep the money I found at work?

TBagpuss

Savvy_Sue said:

Send an email saying you found some money, don't say exactly where, see who says they've lost £20

That person may be in even more need than you, remember.

This. 
The person who lost it will be able to say that it was £20. 
Also - -  does your employer have any policies or processes? It may be that you need to report it  - and of course, especially as it was in reception, it may have been lost by a visitor who might come back asking after it. 

ThomasDullan

I just joined the forum to offer advice on this topic, only to discover that the first posting made exactly the point I was about to make: "it may have been left there to test your honesty."  Many companies have CCTV.  As a trade union official I occasionally had the difficult task of helping employees to retain their job in such cases.  Take it to HR.  Circulate an email.  Don't say how much, nor when it was found.  After a month, if there is no claimant, it will be yours, risk-free, conscience-free.

Judes123

I think if you keep it, you may feel guilty for a long time.Chances are there is CCTV in reception or the person who lost it, is in more need of it..hand it in to reception, then its not your “ problem” any more.

dougalldeejay

Your email should be vague:

"Has anyone lost some paper money around the building in the lasy 7 days?" The right person should know what day and how much and where. If the correct person doesn't come back to you in a week, have a drink to celebrate

poppetgrant

I would just send out an email saying you've found some lost property, don't say its money, the person who has lost it will be able to tell you what they've lost and how much. I wouldn't keep it unless nobody comes forward. At least you have made the effort to find the owner, if nobody comes forward, by law it's yours.

honestcove

Send an email to all and if more than one person replies then arrange to meet them all together and recreate the judgement of Solomon.

Brie

Sending an email isn't always practical - we've had up to 5000 people working in our building in the past and no way to send an email that would ensure all of them would get it.  It's even trickier with so many working from home.  Maybe a notice in reception to say "contact me if you lost something".  

When money has been found in our department it's been easier to deal with due to a smaller number of bods and dept mailing list.  Normally for these we would state "if not claimed by 5 pm Thursday it goes in the charity pot".

Brie

As for worrying about CCTV and getting fired - that's just paranoid!  (and now someone is bound to quote a case involving their brother in laws cousin's wife.)

meknowalot-51

MSE_Kelvin said:

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

Walking into the office where I work the other morning, I found a £20 note on the floor in reception. There was no one around to ask if it was theirs. I work for a fairly big company - do I send an email around asking if anyone has lost £20, even though there would be no way for them to prove it's theirs, or should I keep it? I've had a rough couple of weeks, so could use the pick me up.

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If the £20 was in the street with no one around,what would you do?Your situation is slightly different as the reception area has almost certanly got cctv installed that will show who it belongs to.

JayD

Savvy_Sue said:

Send an email saying you found some money, don't say exactly where, see who says they've lost £20

That person may be in even more need than you, remember.

Savvy Sue has made a good suggestion. Keeping it vague should then show you if the person claiming is the one entitled to it - which is not you by the way!