Moral Dilema (overpay in wages).

[j0nb0y]

I work as a fork lift truck driver for a large international company. Last month when I recieved my wage slip, I noticed my net pay semed too much and informed my manager. He rang the head office wages department for them to check it. They apparantly checked it and confirmed it was correct, no errors, the apparent overpay related to some holiday back pay. BUT...... I have now checked my payslip and I can see their mistake and as I first suspected they have made a mistake and I have been overpaid.

So my question is: Do I go back once again and tell them or do I keep the money???????

[redcrx]

if you keep it, dont spend it, they can request it back at any time!

[mxyzptlk]

I would suggest that it is for you and your conscience. Having said that think of any consequences should it come to light on a company accounts audit albeit unlikely.

[ummmm]

It's obviously bothering you or you wouldn't be posting about it. So do the right thing.

[Greedyfly]

They will more than likely notice at some point and when they do they have every right to take the whole amount from your next pay - don't spend it be honest!

[boxtops]

You'll only have to pay it back as redcrx says, better to come clean now than to find yourself in an embarassing situation later.

[ummmm]

It won't be embarrassing as he's already alerted them to the mistake. He should really be able to take their word for it.

What if he didn't check again and spent the money? It wouldn't be his fault...it would be theirs as they made a mistake TWICE..

[ChuckFickens]

I have to say that personally, if I had checked with them and they had confirmed there was no mistake then I'd ask for that conformation in writing and then keep it.

[j0nb0y]

I don't think that if it came to light would cause me any problems as I informed them straight away, they checked it and found it to be correct. I am just a lowly fork lift driver, surely it isn't my job to double check my pay slip after they have looked at it and told me there is no discrepancy.

[ummmm]

They have paid him what their payroll package has told them to pay him. Their accounts will tally up at the end so the chance of the mistake being spotted is almost zero.

[rowanwitch]

Take the money out of your normal account put it in a high interest account until the end of the next tax year, if they do ask for it back you have it available but you keep the interest...seriously though if you can get it in writing that the amount is correnct then keep it with a clear conscience and enjoy.... how many times in life are we short changed without knowing its swings and roundabouts

[j0nb0y]

It took me quite a while to realise what they had done, the payslip was quite complicated due to some holiday pay and a quarterly bonus which had been missed off the previous month. But having scrutinised it, there is DEFINATELY more money gone into my account than should have done. Probably about 2 days pay.

[ummmm]

This is a large international company....Unless someone goes through the years payroll and checks everything one by one it won't be spotted. As long as the balance of net pay matches what has been paid they will never know.

[ummmm]

Does what you got paid match the wage slip?

[shiznit]

I have been in the exact same situation last year. I work for a large Printing Group, our wages are done at head office not on site. There was a mix up over some time off sick and holiday pay plus I had done a lot of overtime the previous month which is paid in lieu. Anyway the up shot was I informed our accounts, they said it was correct, twice, so I kept the money but didn't spend it. About 2 months later, during an audit, it was discovered and they simply took it from the next months wages. Glad I didn't spend it, it would have screwed up my monthly budget.

[craft1948]

Well they may find out if the extra was actually meant for someone else and paid to you in error............I did payroll for a large company and people had numeric ids on the computer, I just keyed in 1 wrong digit and overpaid someone by several hundred pounds...........it came to light when the other person complained.

[j0nb0y]

The overpay wasn't meant for anyone else, that is a definate. The amount paid into my bank matches exactly what it says on my wage slip.

[ladyalex]

I don't think employers are allowed to take money off your wage slip without your agreement, so I don't think they can just remove it without asking you and getting your permission. (Truck Acts ?)
I think I would do what a lot of people have suggested and keep it (in a separate account if necessary) and be ready to pay it back if asked. (I am assuming that you want to keep this job. I think you can refuse, but it wouldn't look too good to your boss/his boss/the accounts department, so I think you would have a limited career.)
You have done everything that you reasonably can be expected to in telling them that you think a mistake has been made.