Money Moral Dilemma: Would it be wrong to keep compensation for a flight my employer paid for?

MSE_Sarah
MSE_Sarah Posts: 327 MSE Staff
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This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
On a recent business trip to the USA, my return flight was overbooked, so the airline offered passengers $800 to fly the next day instead. Delaying my flight wouldn't have affected my return to work as it was over a weekend, but as my company paid for my flights, I wasn't sure I should take the offer. Next time, would it be wrong to fly later and keep the compensation for myself?

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Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Haven't we had this one before! 🤔

    Trying living in my world sunshine, been sent home early twice - does my employer carry on still paying erm NO.

    How's about you run it past the CAB.
  • El_Torro
    El_Torro Posts: 1,463 Forumite
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    In a situation like this I'd say it's pretty clear cut that the employee can take the compensation and keep the money. They are not losing any work time and it is eating into their own weekend.

    Personally if I were in this situation and it did mean getting back late for work I'd still take the compensation and keep the money. My employer's pretty relaxed about such things though, other companies may not be.
  • KatrinaWaves
    KatrinaWaves Posts: 2,944 Forumite
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    Deleted%20User wrote: »
    Haven't we had this one before! 🤔

    Trying living in my world sunshine, been sent home early twice - does my employer carry on still paying erm NO.

    How's about you run it past the CAB.

    I'm concerned you have lost all reading comprehension...
  • ReadingTim
    ReadingTim Posts: 3,970 Forumite
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    Same as when you last asked. Use the search function, just like everyone else.
  • REJP
    REJP Posts: 325 Forumite
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    edited 17 September 2019 at 8:52PM
    Your employer paid already for the flight.
    The 800 dollars is to compensate you for inconvenience and presumably go towards hotel room overnight plus meals etc. Spend what you need to be comfortable and safe, if any left give it to your employer who can decide if you should keep it or not. Chances are the employer will find out about the compensation anyway so it shows you to be an honest employee.
    I am assuming you would be on an expense account paid by your employer, so it is a no brainer to offer to give the money you did not use to the employer You never know, you might even be told to keep what you have left of the 800 dollars to make up for the inconvenience. Better than being sacked for what might be viewed by some as theft? You can bet that if you don't tell your employer what happened, someone else will.
  • Johnru
    Johnru Posts: 1 Newbie
    Provided you are not on company time; YOU are the one being inconvenienced, not your employer. so the compensation should be yours. However, if in doubt, ask your manager. Compensation is NOT a refund of the ticket price - it's a payment because YOU were inconvenienced. If the delay meant you missed a company meeting, then it[s a different matter. If you've a good boss and you stay in communication, he may allow you to keep it anyway.
  • jonam.forum
    jonam.forum Posts: 8 Forumite
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    Work has paid for you to travel there and for your time working. The airline is paying you to spend a day of your personal time so it’s your money.
    If it would result in a day off work it’d be different
  • renifer7
    renifer7 Posts: 160 Forumite
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    ReadingTim wrote: »
    Same as when you last asked. Use the search function, just like everyone else.
    Sorry, but isn't this post selected by the MSE team? As such isn't it their "fault" if the question is repeated?? :huh:
    B)
  • KatrinaWaves
    KatrinaWaves Posts: 2,944 Forumite
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    renifer7 wrote: »
    Sorry, but isn't this post selected by the MSE team? As such isn't it their "fault" if the question is repeated?? :huh:

    Apparently real people send in these random daft ‘moral’ dilemmas. I think they’re just clickbait to drive people to the forums.

    You do occasionally get a random new poster stating this was actually their dilemma but... call me a sceptic.
  • Cimscate
    Cimscate Posts: 145 Forumite
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    Just make your own decision, most people would take it I'm sure!!
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