Mistake at work - help please!

[nevereverplease]

I had a client who owes £500 for work carried out, instead I sent the money to the wrong place for £1100.

I made this mistake an hour ago so will speak to the merchant first thing but assuming I can't reverse it, will take days to refund back to the client.

I will explain all to the client tomorrow, process the refund ASAP and offer a gesture of goodwill of £50.

Is this reasonable? I guess I'm just looking for someone to say it'll be fine in the end although I think it won't 😬

Btw I'm self employed so job isn't on the line but I just feel terrible

I've only had half a glass of wine but I can't for the life of me work out what's happened.

Hope you get it sorted though OP. Mistakes never feel good but we all make them from time to time.

Hi OP. I can't actually understand what you've accidentally done, but if you've accidentally taken money out of a client's account then I would be inclined to pay it back from my own business account immediately, and then you can have your money back when the banks (or whatever) have sorted it out.

Stop worrying it's a mistake which can be rectified.

@Viviennemary yes that's correct they are in deficit £600, temporarily until I arrange a refund.

I don't have the funds because I am a middle person the money was to pay a third party. Hence why it is more out of my control than I'd like. I hope that makes sense.

[quote nevereverplease]@alliejay81 thank you so much. That is very kind of you, I cannot face the client tonight. I will apologise in the morning. I can't do it today I'm exhausted. [/quote]
I think you should make every effort to speak with the client tonight. It's the right thing to do. If you leave it until tomorrow, you risk them finding out themselves or being inconvenienced which would make matters worse.

Nip this in the bud to minimise the problem.

I know it will be hard, but I promise you'll feel much better after you've spoken with them and reassured them of your plan of action.

It’s not clear from your OP that you’re an intermediary and acting on behalf of someone, so instead of taking £500 from them you’ve taken £1100 and sent it to the wrong account.

Get on the phone to the merchant or bank now and also let the client know ASAP. Mistakes happen. You need to calm down and explain it in a measured way though cos it isn’t making much sense this way and the client will be very annoyed if they get the wrong end of the stick.

Don’t give yourself too much of a hard time, mistakes happen. Just try your best to get it rectified

Thanks all, sorry if I've made it confusing probably my anxiety.

Make it simple - the client has had money go the the wrong place for £600 they don't owe,

OP It will be fine. Just deal with it professionally. Own the mistake, apologise, rectify and offer a goodwill gesture. Nobody died.

I have no idea what's going on owes, is owed.... what?!

@Gazelda I can't face it tonight, I really can't. Would an email be unreasonable? Honestly I just can't face it

Just send an email ASAP, telling them of the mistake & that you’re working quickly to resolve it. Apologise, tell them you will give them an extra £50 for the trouble. Case closed. No more stressing OP! Are you going to be worrying about this on your death bed? No. It’s small stuff, honestly, we’re all human!

You need to notify the client tonight. If I logged onto my business online banking right now and found a payment for £1100 to a merchant I had no idea of I'd be onto the 24 hour fraud hotline.

Ah I see now. I would explain the situation and offer your goodwill gesture now, and then make steps to rectify in the morning. Contact them before they contact you and they'll think a lot better of you.

And be kinder to yourself.

[quote nevereverplease]@alliejay81 thank you so much. That is very kind of you, I cannot face the client tonight. I will apologise in the morning. I can't do it today I'm exhausted. [/quote]
Sorry OP but this is totally wrong. It’s entirely your mistake and not fair on the client to have that much money taken out of their account and then not told because you’re tired Get on the phone and let them know.

@UsernameSpoosername that is a good way to put it you're right on my deathbed I would not be thinking about such matters.

Thank you

I can't face it tonight, I really can't. Would an email be unreasonable? Honestly I just can't face it

I'm sorry, op, but you must deal with your client asap. Avoiding this will only make matters worse.

I really think you need to let them know right now. If I discovered I was £600 out of pocket this close to Christmas I would be really annoyed, more so if I found out the company I had trusted to deal with my finances knew and didn't bother telling me.

If someone contacted me and explained the error and what was being done to rectify it I would be far less annoyed.

It's much better they are told than find out themselves.

Honestly I just can't face it

It won't feel any better if you leave it until the morning. Give yourself a break. Why choose to spend the night worrying when you can make the first steps to resolve it this evening?

[quote nevereverplease]@Gazelda I can't face it tonight, I really can't. Would an email be unreasonable? Honestly I just can't face it [/quote]
Sorry OP, I sympathise but you really do need to deal with it now.

Imagine if you woke up tomorrow to find £1110 gone from your account with no explanation?

It's not the mistake it is how you deal with it.

Not contacting the client because you are stressed and tired is not going to do you any favours. You will lose any respect they may have for you by hiding behind your feelings.

Be an adult.

You must tell them tonight.
THEN tomorrow morning, retrieve the 1K+
and Deposit £600 back into their account + £50.

I’m sending you a big hug.💐
I know exactly how you feel, I made a mistake yesterday which inconvenienced a few people, nothing major but enough to annoy them. I didn’t sleep last night and have cried every time I’ve thought of it today. Tiredness does not help your emotions!
I think the £50 gesture is a good touch and I’m sure you can remedy the payments with the merchant tomorrow. Try and stay calm, I know it’s difficult. Tomorrow is another day. You’ll feel much happier once you’ve sorted it with the client xx

I would be angry if you didn’t tell me and I discovered it myself.

I would not be angry at all of you phoned tonight and let me know that I was getting my money back plus an extra £50 in the morning.

I have absolutely no idea what is going on - and i’m only drinking coffee.

Let’s hope it all gets sorted out.

Thanks so much all honestly you've helped massively - I just called my client they did not answer so I've explained in an email. I've also said I do t mind sending them money temporarily if it's going to disrupt their finances.

I hope it's ok x x