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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Owed money

38 replies

Thistledew · 12/03/2011 23:57

More of a WWYD?

I am owed in the region of £5,000 by a charity that I used to work for on a freelance basis. The charity is in financial difficulties and struggles to pay its basic bills each month. I am friends with several of the charity's employees, who would lose their jobs if the charity went under.

I am re-training at the moment, and earning very little. 5k represents about a third of my income in this 12 months. I live with my DP, who has a comfortable salary, and who could afford to pay our mortgage and all our bills with no contribution from me, but things would be tight. I had planned on that money for living expenses, and also to do some improvements around the house, that I have been looking forward to for ages.

I tried to reach an agreement to be paid in installments, but the charity now seems to be wriggling out of it. I really don't know if they could pay if I took them to court - maybe they can, or maybe it would take them under.

What would you do?

OP posts:
ENormaSnob · 13/03/2011 00:04

I would try to get the money owed.

5k is too much to kiss goodbye to.

wellwisher · 13/03/2011 00:05

I would push them for the money without any further delay. It sounds likely they'll go under anyway, and if you wait for that to happen you won't see a penny of what you're owed. Don't worry about your friends, or the fact that it's a charity - not your problem! You earned that money - make sure you get it.

FabbyChic · 13/03/2011 00:06

If they won't agree to installments I'd take them to court.

You are not a charity and need to live.

Simple really.

vickster11 · 13/03/2011 00:07

I would contact them and say your circumstances have changed and you need your 5k back. And ask them whether they can pay you back this month or next. Dont be a pushover its alot of money. They should reply with some kind of plan or offer.

If the charity goes under your money is gone. Dont worry about the other workers they are already looking for other jobs. You need to look out for yourself in this situation.

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:16

The trouble is that I know that some of the other staff would find it difficult to get another job. There are several who are nearing retirement age. A couple of others who have caring obligations which mean they need very flexible, part time hours.

In about 9 months time, I should hopefully be earning a good wage again, and whilst 5k would still not be an insignificant sum, it would not hugely affect my lifestyle. OK, I would not be able to afford to go abroad for a holiday, or have the new bookshelves I want, or to do the garden up this summer, but is that really worth me potentially putting friends out of work?

OP posts:
Gottakeepchanging · 13/03/2011 00:19

A charity isn't there to ensure that staff have jobs! If it can't psy wages how is it functioning as a charity?

FabbyChic · 13/03/2011 00:20

If they are going to go under for such a small amount, it won't be long before they go under anyway.

If they owed you say 20k be different, but if they cannot pay the small debts it looks like they are already on their way out.

TheVisitor · 13/03/2011 00:21

You could offer them a deal for payment within 7 days, say, knocking off maybey £500? If not, then yes, moneyclaimonline is your friend. You are not responsible for other people's jobs, and you need to make sure that your debt is officially registered before they go under.

TheVisitor · 13/03/2011 00:21

Maybey? Maybe!

Maryz · 13/03/2011 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:22

The only trouble is that right now that 5k means the difference between me being able to contribute to the monthly food bill, or not.

OP posts:
frgr · 13/03/2011 00:23

The wellbeing of the charity's staff are not your concern.

I think you've been patient enough already e.g. requesting payment in installments.

Why did they let you do the work if they had no intention of paying?

As harsh as it sounds, you have to treat this in a professional manner - and you cannot function as a freelancer, surely, if you find yourself cutting back on your family's spending because you haven't been paid what was agreed.

I would go after the money, of course trying to ensure as flexible an attitude as possible (although i think you've pretty much done this with the installment idea!). Being flexible because it's a charity does not mean you have to write off the cash.

HalfTermHero · 13/03/2011 00:23

I would get a county court judgment against them. If they cannot satisfy the judgment, then have a court approved payment plan put in place. This will make the charity less likely to default on payment by installment.

ninedragons · 13/03/2011 00:25

If they're close enough to the edge that 5k is going to push them over, they're as good as gone already.

Get a county court judgment. Your actions will not be solely responsible for putting your friends out of work.

wellwisher · 13/03/2011 00:26

OP, man up and stand up for your rights - you earned that money! How would you feel if someone broke into your house and did £5k worth of damage? It's basically the same thing.

ladydeedy · 13/03/2011 00:26

it doesnt matter if they are a charity or any other kind of business. They still have to manage their finances and have employees that need to be paid. Get straight in there and take action. It's your money.

BitOfFun · 13/03/2011 00:27

Are they the charity, or are you?

Get your money back.

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:29

It's only money. The charity does far more good than I will ever do with my 5k.

OP posts:
frgr · 13/03/2011 00:31

Well my mortgage payment won't be paid with thin air. It may only be money, but my bank manager doesn't think that's a good reason not to pay my bills Grin BUT if you think "it's only money" and feel it's better to write it off, and can afford to, so be it. it's your call.

But I couldn't choose to follow that path, in my circumstances. i think the charity have got a good deal, if you do write it off - not everyone could, or would, be as generous.

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:31

Don't get me wrong- I would love to get my hands on the money. I am just having difficulty in justifying it when the consequences could be so severe for so many people.

OP posts:
ladydeedy · 13/03/2011 00:31

presumably your bosses are being paid more than you? and still being paid? The amount of money spent on administration by charities often equals, or is more than, the amount actually spent doing good. Dont worry about it - just get your money (give it to charity once you have it, if you like..)

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:33

I know how the charity is run- it is a local one rather than national. They spend the very minimum on administration, and help hundreds of people in the community.

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 13/03/2011 00:38

If they couldn't afford to pay you then they shouldn't have had you do work for them, I fail to see why you even asked us the question when you already have your answer, you won't take it further you will let them rip you off so they get work for nothing.

That is no way for anybody to run a business.

Try to make plans so they pay you a £100 a week then if you are happy to accept that, or just write it off and when you can't contribute remind yourself why.

Have you spoken to your partner? What has he/she said?

Original poster
Thistledew · 13/03/2011 00:43

I did the work last summer. I have had some money paid since then, but still have 5k owing, and nothing has been paid since November.

DP has said it is a matter for my conscience what I do.

Obviously, if I won the lottery, there would be no question I would write it off.

On the other end of the scale, if it meant that DP and I could not pay the mortgage or essential bills, I would have demanded it back already.

But at the moment, it only has an impact on the amount of luxuries that DP and I can afford.

I am finding it hard to see where I should draw the line.

OP posts:
BuzzLiteBeer · 13/03/2011 00:44

5k is not going to be the difference between them going under or not, don't be silly.

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