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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To quit my job

20 replies

Anxioussssss · 08/02/2022 06:57

I’m so anxious I need to get this out before I lose my head.
I started a job in October, i was working for a guy with a few businesses. The role has now changed and I now look after payroll for his 150+ employees. I’ve never done this before, I’ve never done anything like this, I send hours to an accountant, send their payslips to them, then fill out a spreadsheet with their wage for our boss to pay them.

It’s really unorganised and I’ve tried my very best to make it easier. I’m now alone in the business as he’s away for a while. This was my first time doing this alone, and on the spreadsheets the people who have left are still on this spreadsheet. Due to being so rushed because people left giving their hours until the last minute. I’ve now accidentally given my boss with a spreadsheet paying a person who has left last month instead of another person.

I really can’t afford to lose this job as I’m a single mum, this person has ignored me after I asked for it to be repaid. I haven’t told him yet, I’m shaking and crying because I feel like I’m going to get sacked

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxioussssss · 08/02/2022 07:18

Anyone

OP posts:

Lampshading · 08/02/2022 07:20

I'd start applying for jobs in the background, the jobs market is pretty good right now. If you ask for help and when explaining you don't know how to do x, do it via email so that you can keep it as documentation.

WhatNoRaisins · 08/02/2022 07:23

A sensible boss would be taking a look at the system behind this and how it could be changed to there is less room for error but obviously it's anyone's guess what he'll do.

Look for other jobs just in case.

fishoutofwine · 08/02/2022 07:25

Assuming he’s a reasonable human being this isn’t that big a deal. Most companies will overpay someone at some point. It’s not unusual, it happens with the best run departments.

PurpleDaisies5 · 08/02/2022 07:25

You just need to own up...you can't hide it. Just bite the bullet, email him and say x person was paid last week in error, you're sorry and how should you proceed.

At the same time I would say you're concerned about the timings as last week you didn't get the final hours to add to the spreadsheet until x time (quote the date and time of the last person to update) and this obviously means a huge rush to complete which you feel contributed to the error. Ask if you can send out a company wide email quoting a deadline time each week for hours to be updated by for payment that week. He may appreciate you being proactive.

GlamorousHeifer · 08/02/2022 07:27

Jobs are easy to come by at the minute, even if you don't get sacked (and you shouldn't be, if you're being forced to do a role you have no experience in) why would you stay?
Get your CV up to date and get something else!

Inspectorslack · 08/02/2022 07:28

You need to own up ASAP. What about the person who should’ve got paid and wasn’t put on the spreadsheet?

Bouncebacker · 08/02/2022 07:29

Just call your boss and him admit the mistake - unless payroll is the main part of your job, as if you can get some quotes from payroll companies and see if you can outsource the task. If that’s a no go, ask your boss to sit with you and watch the process once to see if you can make changes, or stress the importance of doubling checking payroll data. Send the spreadsheet to your boss next time so he has the final responsibility

Original poster

Anxioussssss · 08/02/2022 07:31

He does have the final responsibility and he pays people manually so he does usually know who has left and who hasn’t.

I haven’t had any experience with paying people ever, I was just so glad to have a job after Christmas. It’s not even difficult but lots of chances for it to go wrong. I will own up but he has a temper so I’m really scared right now. Everyone has been paid it’s just this lady who has left, I even messaged her once I realised the mistake but she’s ignoring me.

OP posts:

lambchop81 · 08/02/2022 07:32

Just be honest and explain the stress you feel you are under and tell him you need some assistance. Your both human hopefully he has some compassion. Just take a deep breath, tell him 💪 you've got this!
PS never be afraid to ask for help or admit you feel stress or pressure x

lambchop81 · 08/02/2022 07:35

@Anxioussssss

He does have the final responsibility and he pays people manually so he does usually know who has left and who hasn’t.

If he has a temper and looses it with you, remove yourself from the situation but have a think if you even want to be there. Things always seem worse in your brain then they will actually be in reality.

VivX · 08/02/2022 07:59

@Anxioussssss

He does have the final responsibility and he pays people manually so he does usually know who has left and who hasn’t.

If he knows who has left - would he have actually sent a payment for someone who has left, then?

GrazingSheep · 08/02/2022 08:04

Surely if he knows she has left he won’t have paid her.
What about the person who should have been paid but wasn’t ?

Aprilx · 08/02/2022 08:08

It doesn’t sound like you are running payroll, this is surely what the accountant involved is doing? You are maintaining a spreadsheet or two and making payments, you need to own up about the mistake and start self checking work and discuss with your manager now review should work too.

It isn’t great to mess up any step of the process in paying staff, but this mistake you mention is not the end of the world either. I think that hiding it would be a greater issue for me, so get this out in the open asap.

Hankunamatata · 08/02/2022 08:16

You need to say to boss about setting deadline for time sheets. If they dont have then in by x date, they dont get paid.

Original poster

Anxioussssss · 08/02/2022 08:20

There’s no one who hasn’t been paid I just put the same number in twice. I’m hoping he hasn’t paid her, I will speak to him after he has his meetings

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxioussssss · 08/02/2022 08:23

Yes I’m not actually doing payroll ie generating payslips. But I do update 150 employees hours, manage holidays, any issues they have with payslips etc. This is amongst other things. I will own up I won’t hide it

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lambchop81 · 08/02/2022 08:31

Good luck x

Iputthetrampintrampoline · 08/02/2022 09:12

Just a thought but could you ring the accountant first maybe then tell your boss? It would look like you were being pro active to me ? It will be ok lovely you haven;t done this on purpose, I find when bosses have tempers its because they dont cope well either and stress about them juggling multiple things make them forget themselves! Your boss is only human too remember. Either way do all you can and then forget it,your head will make it seem worse than it is bless you!

ThankGodImAnAtheist · 08/02/2022 10:29

The facts that you’ve spotted a mistake has been made, and are aware the system you’ve inherited is messy, and are doing your best to cope with something you haven’t done before shows what a good employee you are … definitely go through it all with him, if he is a good boss, he will appreciate you bringing it to his attention, and your anxiety about what has happened and the chance it might happen again. If he doesn’t treat you well over this then he is the problem, to you, and I would look for another job. Good Luck !

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