Paid Too Much

[Kims20]

I got paid today and I have been paid for a week that I got paid for in April, so it is about �100 too much. My mum said I should keep it and if they notice say that I hadn't noticed it. Also my boss has been paid a week too much, but doesn't think we should say anything to our employers. My Dad has told me this is fraud, which is worrying, and I feel I should say something.

I just wanted to know what you would do and where I stand legally if I do not say anything.

Any help would be appreciated.

[stevie21]

Happened to me too. I had to phone my old personnell office and ask why I'd been paid.

"Your old manager hasn't told us that you'd left the company" !!

If you keep it, it's theft. Literally. You can dress it up however you want but it's dishonest. Phone the wages office and tell them of both overpayments.

[noxlumos]

Keep it and do as your very worldly Mum and boss says. Anyone who tells you different has had too easy a life:) It's not theft in any way since they gave it to you, it's a simple mistake and not your responsibility to give back unless/untill they notice it, which I doubt they ever will.Doubtless the moral mob will slate me for it, but do yourself a favour and get with the real world.

[Postdog]

TOTALLY ignore the last answer. This happened to me once, only I wasn't aware of it. At the time my wages fluctuated, and I knew I was getting more than normal, just not how much. It is THEIR money and they will find out - when they do, they won't get it back, they'll simply not pay you until the amount is accounted for, so one way or another - unless you leave and sever all connections - you will lose out. Let's just say I was not too happy to open my pay packet after working all week, only to find I had nothing coming.

[kempie]

As a postscript to Postdog's answer...

even if you did "leave and sever all connections" your (ex-)employer would still have at least six years to recover the overpayment through the courts and/or debt collection agencies before the debt becomes unenforceable..

[david small]

say nothing, but put it away for a month just in case.

[WendyS]

Yes, it is fraud if you are knowingly keeping money to which you know you're not entitled. Whilst everybody might be tempted, the honest thing to do is report it and the fact that your boss is advising keeping quiet too doesn't do much to increase the respect you should have for him/her.

I suggest you tell your employers that you think you may have been overpaid. At least they will know they have one honest employee. Who knows? Maybe they just paid a couple of employees over the top to find out who the honest ones are, to see if they're worthy of promotion.

[SaxyJag]

Thing to do is not tell them, but don't spend the money. Stick it somewhere where it could earn even a small amount of interest, then there'll ne no problem when (if) they decide they want it back.

If they'd underpaid you, you would only eventually get back the money - no interest, because they'd have earned that. So what's sauce for the goose ...

[Kims20]

Thanks for all your help.
It is hard for me to go against my boss because I have to work very closely with her, and the company only employs 4 members of staff. I work with children so we are on holiday at the moment and I have not really had a chance to talk to her about it, but being my boss I feel that she should respect and support me in decision's I make.
The company has recently changed hands so I think there has just been a misunderstanding between us and the new financial managers.
Honesty is best policy as they say, so I think I would rather say now than leave it, and I feel it shows that I'm trustworthy and honest.

[Trotbot]

Tell your boss that you are going to disclose the fact you were overpaid. What she does is her choice.

[stevie21]

noxlumos : "It's not theft in any way since they gave it to you"

I wish that were the case but it's theft in the eyes of the law. It's totally 100% clear cut. No room for debate. :-)

It's been debated to death on here in other questions.