I got a call fron the payroll dept of the very large comapny I WORK FOR CLAIMING TO HAVE OVERPAID ME FOR THE LAST YEAR!I changed location a year ago with a new contract and a four day week. However payroll claim not to have recieved notification of the change in my hours and continued to pay me for a five day week. They now claim I owe them 6600 euro through no fault of my own, and they want me to pay it back. I had a meeting with the head of payroll today and i offered to repay at a rate that suits me; However, it will take nine years to pay it all off! The head of department was not happy with this; I feel i have been very magnanimous about the whole affair. Should I now dig my heels and and say"If you want it, you'll have to chase me"or should I stick to my guns and say" Its your mistake; I shouldn't have to pay for it; or any ideas?
2006-11-02 06:13:44 · 18 answers · asked by marie m 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
You have already offered a solution to the affair that was caused by their mismanagement. You still work for them, so stick to what you agreed and pay it off at a rate that is comfortable for you until such a time when you can comfortably get rid of the whole debt of 6600Euros, it will not incur interest as they cannot do that to you so just take your time and pay what is affordable. Who knows what could happen in a years time, let alone 9 years, you might get a big lottery win!
2006-11-02 08:11:59 · answer #1 · answered by Latin Techie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is a thing called integrity and it means moral soundness, honesty, uprightness. People with integrity have already predetermined what they will do in a given situation.
You received money that was not yours and you more than likely knew that you were receiving more than you should. If so you should have corrected it then rather than allowing them to continue to over pay you. You know that they would not over pay you on purpose. If for some reason you didn't realize it, it does not change the fact that you got something that you were not in titled too. The company does have the right to recover their money but they should be willing to work with you on it, but 9 years is just plan silly. At the longest, It should not take any longer to repay it than it took for you to receive it. Honesty is always the best policy but there are a lot of people that are always trying to get something for nothing, which are you? Your reputation is all you have and it will follow you all of your life. Remember that your reputation is like fine china, easy to break and hard to mend.
Both of your choices are wrong, having them chase you or digging your heels in. Either way you will have to look at yourself in the mirror. If you choose to not return it I am sure that you will find a way to justify what you are doing but that doesn't make it right. Doing what is right is not alway easy or comfortable but you will have piece in your heart about it and people won't be talking behind you back about what type of person you are. You can always tell if your decision is right if you are at peace with your self after you make it or is there tension and stress. Hope this helps, see you in the mirror.
2006-11-02 14:36:48 · answer #2 · answered by David T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In all that time how did you not realise that you were being overpaid? In a monthly pay packet that is nearly one weeks pay. I'd certainly notice that on my salary! If that is the case then you should definately pay it back as quickly as possible. If somehow you didn't notice, then you should pay it back, but yes, at a rate that is easily affordable to yourself. You may not have any choice anyway, a guy at my work was overpaid and they just took a huge chunk out of his next months salary. Just hope they don't do that to you.
2006-11-02 14:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had been under paid the same amount you would have been straight onto payroll to let them know - I know - I have worked in payroll. this cuts both ways, so you should have told them when you noticed no change in your wages after change in job.
I suggest that you try to renegotiate the amount - i've just worked out that you are offering to pay approx 60 euros a month to take 9 years to pay it back. In the meantime you company have paid your tax contributions to the goverment, that could be profit to go in your next pay rise, which I guess they won't give you.
2006-11-02 14:38:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they can prove that you knew you were being overpaid (by reference to the contract etc.,) they have a case against you for 'Theft'. It is highly unlikely that they would pursue the matter in court, but they could construe that you committed 'gross misconduct' by keeping the over payments. It is a long shot, but there is a possibility that they could dismiss you. On the other hand, if you left without paying back the money, any reference from them as your last employer would not be complimentary.
2006-11-02 14:18:54 · answer #5 · answered by thomasrobinsonantonio 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it is likely that you knew you were being overpaid ie the new contract stated pay and hours then yes you do. if not it could be assumed that you believed that to be the rate of pay and it is not recoverable. if you have made an offer to pay it back then even in a court of law it is very likely the offer made without prejudice would stand.
2006-11-02 18:24:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends really on if you will be fired or not if you dont have to worry about being fired for your job then i wouldnt pay it i would indeed "if you want it youll have to chase me around". on the other hand if you are going to be fired for not paying its just not worth it pay it back. im not sure what your laws are where you are from but my job has a law that states if im overpaid and i had no reason to believe that i wasnt suppose ot be paid that money then the money is mine and i dont have to pay it back. so check into it and once again if you arent going to be fired make them wait for the money if you can after all it was there mess up and you shouldnt be penilized for it.
2006-11-02 14:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Payroll may not have received notification of changes to your contract but you knew about it and must have realised you were being overpaid. How long did you think you'd get away with it? Of course you must repay it. anything else is theft.
2006-11-02 14:26:04 · answer #8 · answered by Scitech05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should pay the entire amount before you go to prison.
You stole money from the company with the help of your payroll department friend and he will be arrested too.
This crime is very serious and you could be facing several years of prison if you are convicted.
That "They paid me by mistake" story is not going to work with a Jury.
2006-11-02 14:19:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, you obviously knew over a year ago that you were being overpaid and you chose to do nothing about it. So now you expect to be rewarded for your dishonesty?
Frankly, if I were the head of HR at your company, I would fire you. No one needs a thief working for them.
2006-11-02 14:15:53 · answer #10 · answered by kja63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋