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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I quit my job and they've paid me a full wage by accident

25 replies

walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 12:36

I worked 6 weeks and then resigned. I didn't work notice. It was dreadful job and I was miserable / having a MH crisis. We also lost our childcare overnight (grandparent) so it didn't make any sense financially. I was paid for the 4 weeks I worked, so this payday I was expecting the last 2 weeks wage but instead I've been paid a full 4 week wage like I never left.

It's a big company so all I can think is that it is an error. Problem is, this will affect my benefits.

Do I contact them and get them to rectify the mistake now? Or do I wait and see if they ask for it back? I'm sure legally I can offer it back in installments, does anyone know?

OP posts:
Willowkins · 21/09/2020 12:38

Chances are you left after the pay run and they couldn't stop it. Legally you have to pay it back.

DobbyLovesSocks · 21/09/2020 12:39

I'm guessing they haven't received the paperwork to say you have left. Alert them now so they can reclaim the money. Else it's fraud

CitizenFame · 21/09/2020 12:40

Why can’t you pay it back in full? If you weren’t expecting it anyway then isn’t it spare cash? Not that I think paying in instalments is a bad idea, just wondering why.

Wiredforsound · 21/09/2020 12:40

I would phone them and ask them how to proceed. I’d be totally upfront and transparent about this.

Yawningyawning · 21/09/2020 12:42

Contact them and pay it back.

Original poster
walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 12:44

It's spare cash at the moment yes, and I've put it aside but it will affect how much we get in benefits, it's likely to take £400-500 off that figure because hrmc will report that I've earnt this money. I'm just worried that if I give it all back now, I'll be short down the line...

OP posts:
Redcrayons · 21/09/2020 12:44

I’d phone them and tell them. Most likely the person who was supposed to tell HR, didn’t do it in time.

lyralalala · 21/09/2020 12:44

@CitizenFame

Why can’t you pay it back in full? If you weren’t expecting it anyway then isn’t it spare cash? Not that I think paying in instalments is a bad idea, just wondering why.
Presumably because, as she said, this payment will affect her benefits.

(and it won't be as remotely simple as just telling the benefits people of the error, sadly)

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/09/2020 12:47

Argh, nightmare.

Ring them and ask how to repay it.

Find, somehow, a human who deals with UC and let THEM know and ask their advice but its likely they will pay you as if that wage was real and it will leave you short for some time :(

NoahsDove · 21/09/2020 12:56

You might have been due a small amount of holiday pay too so you might not have to pay back quite as much as you think.

SpaceOP · 21/09/2020 13:05

I would contact them. However, what does your contract say? If you and your boss agreed you could leave immediately but you usually have a notice period, it may be that they've paid you that notice period in a sort of "gardening leave" style. You should check in with them asap to get this sorted.

Original poster
walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 13:20

Nobody agreed I could leave. I just left and emailed the same day to explain my reasons (many) so I really doubt they are giving me extra pay for this.

I'm scared to call them in case they demand the money back and I cannot reason with UC. I will have no money to live on...

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 21/09/2020 13:23

Definitely alert them and get it paid back. We had someone at one of my old jobs who was accidentally paid for 3 months after she left. When the company figured it out they asked for repayment and she just ignored it. It went on for about a year. In the end she was served a writ for the debt and I imagined it completely screwed her credit. That’s a worst case scenario of course, but shows how avoiding it means it can escalate.

There are some people who think if companies makes a mistake then they just have to eat the costs and can’t get it back. But they very much can.

Doingitaloneandproud · 21/09/2020 13:28

You'll have to tell them, if they find out later they'll chase you for it. Explain the situation and ask if they can allow you to pay in instalments

Hardbackwriter · 21/09/2020 13:34

This happened to me. I told them, repeatedly, and they said that it would be sorted out. Then they paid me in full again the next month Hmm. I told them again and got told 'they would write to me at some point about paying it back'. So I put it in an account and let it sit there - eight months later (March, so I suspect it was related to the end of year) they finally asked for it back!

WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo · 21/09/2020 13:35

They may have contractually had to pay your notice period even if you didn't work it. Give payroll a call and ask what happened.

nettytree · 21/09/2020 13:45

It wasn't whsmith was it. They did this regularly when I worked there. Then asked the person to work the hours already paid if they did not pay it straight back.

Original poster
walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 13:49

No not WHsmith.

I've just checked my contract (that I never signed btw) and it says minimum 1 month notice period and that they can withold funds if notice not given, or they can give payment in lieu of notice if appropriate.

I think I'll have to call payroll and discuss it realistically.

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 21/09/2020 13:53

Yes, call payroll and talk to them. Explain about the benefits and establish a realistic timescale for paying it back.

They can't just whip it out of your bank account, you have to send it. So you are in control. And it's in their interest to have you just pay it, rather than have to go down a legal route to enforce payment (which would take longer than instalments anyway, probably). So you should be confident in your position, not letting them set the agenda.

Azif · 21/09/2020 13:54

You will need to contact payroll. If it’s already been received at HMRC it will affect your UC.

Original poster
walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 13:55

Well I actually bank with monzo so I can see the payment is going to go in tomorrow, so I assume its already been processed with HRMC at this point?

OP posts:
Terrace58 · 21/09/2020 13:56

Call payroll. They will want the money back. Tell them you will need documentation this was an error so that you don’t lose benefits.

slashlover · 21/09/2020 13:57

If it's UC will you not be sanctioned for quitting?

Puppy72 · 21/09/2020 13:59

Phone them and tell them. Universal credit can adjust payments.

Original poster
walkingout101 · 21/09/2020 14:00

@slashlover Apparently not because I have a baby.

OP posts:
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