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Help! Overpaid!

11 replies

hoolagirl · 19/07/2006 17:04

I returned to work part time after having ds and was on correct pay for part time.
I was going to hand in notice in Jan (too much travel), when a job came up within the office looking for someone to work from home full time.
It was lesser paid (different job from what I was doing).
Anyhow, i have been up and collected a few bits and bobs from the office and also the past 3 months wage slips (which should have been posted out). I have checked the total before deductions and they have me on my full original salary for my previous job !!
I should have checked my previous wage slips, but to be honest i don't usually bother to even open them never mind check them !
Now im worried that they will whip back all the money they've overpaid me in some big lumps, can anyone give me advice?
I've just found out about 5 mins ago and haven't told them yet !!

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CarlK · 19/07/2006 17:39

No real advice just thought I would keep it bumped.
When this happened to one of my staff we negotiated a fair and reasonable repayment plan with her, we were most careful to let her know that it didnt matter how long it took to pay it back, just that she could afford the repayments....

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southeastastra · 19/07/2006 18:08

didn't you notice before? you'll have to tell them asap they might let you keep it

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Blondilocks · 19/07/2006 18:13

This happened to my cousin who had already spent the money & I think they took bits out of future wage packets until it was paid off.

You definitely should tell them & also look at future wage slips each month.

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hoolagirl · 19/07/2006 18:58

I've worked with them for years so just got out of the habit of checking wage slips as they were always for the same amount !
I haven't noticed before because i've only been doing the new job for around 4 months !!
I'll phone them tommorow and tell them !
Hopefully they won't do anything too drastic.

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hoolagirl · 20/07/2006 10:33

I have just spoken to my work, they have suggested repaying at £300 per month. There is no way I can afford this and have told them so, they are going to get back to me.
Does anyone know if they are able to take what they want?
They have admitted it is their mistake.

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hoolagirl · 20/07/2006 10:34

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hotmama · 20/07/2006 10:41

I think that you have to come to some sort of mutual agreement - this is what happens where I work.

It is their fault but you have a responsibility to tell them as soon as you found out which you did - and later than you could have but that is their fault as they didn't post out your payslips - so hopefully they will be reasonable.

Open your payslips in future- you wouldn't have known if they were underpaying you.

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annh · 20/07/2006 10:51

Have to be honest and say that if they are suggesting you pay back at the rate of £300 per month, the total amount overpaid by them per month is obviously much more than that. How could you not have noticed that you were overpaid by that amount each month, especially as you have presumably spent the money now?! Sorry, that's not very constructive but once you get over this shock I think some serious budgetting is in order so you can figure out how to live on a reduced amount.

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hoolagirl · 20/07/2006 11:48

It is £300 per month that they have overpaid me, I honestly did not know, I presumed i was paying much less in tax and ni etc. I don't like owing money and don't have credit cards or things like that which is why im gutted about this.
I am incredibly slapdash though when it comes to checking things and if you knew me you would know that i really didnt know!!!
I am already sitting down with calculater to see what i can do !

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SlightlyFamiliarPeachyClair · 20/07/2006 12:44

This happened to me after ds1. I did admit straight away. After discussions, they agreed to let me have as a backdated pay rise (continued) but I wouldn't get one that December, when the rest did. Except nobody else did- company had financial problems.

It was a reward for my honesty apaprently although I suspect some sympathy as my Dh also worked there and they knew how pitifully poorly paid he was (and that the person who did the same job as him but was newer had bargained an extra £7k- alot when Dh got £11K at that time, some years ago now) and I think they felt more than abit guilty too.

Honesty best policy i feel

There's a thing called unlawful deduction from wages, I think this means theyc an't just take the money you 'owe' them without agreeing it first. I would chat to ACAS as theya re immensely helpful and know their stuff. Give them a call when they get home (you could also search the website too)

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hoolagirl · 20/07/2006 13:04

Im hoping they will let me off with it, or let me repay over a while. I didnt get my usual payrise when i was off on maternity, so may use that as a bargining tool.
May also get some sympathy for being single parent!!
I looked at ACAS and they are allowed to whip whatever they want off if its a wages overpayment. I suspect they won't do this though as they're pretty reasonable.
I guess im a bit peeved after I thought I was doing so well managing my money, thats cos i had too much coming in