Overpayments if you leave without notice

[Norton]

If you leave somewhere without notice and have been overpaid (& taken anticipated A/L, so owe that too) does that have to be paid back?

[flowerybeanbag]

Well, yes, in the same way that money you owe any company has to be paid back.

If your employer is not able to deduct it out of your final salary because you've walked out with giving notice, I would expect them to pursue it tbh.

[Norton]

Thanks - I thought so

[Norton]

But it's going to be impossible to get back isn't it?

[flowerybeanbag]

Well not necessarily impossible, no. Assuming this is you, you could obviously refuse to pay. But if it's overpayment and holiday it's likely to be a reasonably significant amount of money, and speaking personally, if someone had walked out without giving notice I'd probably be more inclined to take whatever steps I could to pursue the matter than I would otherwise.

The other thing you'd need to think about is a reference. You may need one sooner or later and obviously if you breach your contract by walking out without giving notice you will get a bad one.