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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to pay salaries?

45 replies

Trenisenne · 23/02/2022 16:57

After some advice on this one. I worked - until last month - for a very small organisation of about 7 people. As part of my role, I was one of two people (need both people) to release salaries (and other payments) using on-line banking.

I resigned at end November, and obviously raised this as an issue. Today I received a call from my former boss asking me to approve the payments through online banking. I have no connection with the company anymore, and while practically there is very little risk, it’s obviously not correct that I do this.

AIBU to not pay the salaries?

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 23/02/2022 17:01

Oh yikes, YANBU to not touch this with a barge pole.

NorthSouthcatlady · 23/02/2022 17:01

I wouldn’t get involved. You don’t work there anymore and they need to sort themselves out

DetailMouse · 23/02/2022 17:01

The risk is mostly with them but I wouldn't do it. There are other ways they can make sure staff get paid and if it's only a handful, it won't be onerous.

thing47 · 23/02/2022 17:03

'Sorry, no, as I don't work there any more I don't think that would be appropriate'

SugarAndCoffee · 23/02/2022 17:04

I understand their problem. But it is their problem..

LesterKnopf · 23/02/2022 17:04

Surely if you no longer work there you have no way of verifying the payments are correct? Seems like an employer who hasn't organised themselves properly and I wouldn't trust them at all.

Mrsmadevans · 23/02/2022 17:05

Don't touch it with a barge pole , no wonder you left .

Mumdiva99 · 23/02/2022 17:06

Who sorted salaries in December and January....surely they can do that again. Not that it's any of your problem

Say what Thing47 suggested.

Crimesean · 23/02/2022 17:06

That would be too risky for me - hoe do you know they've not been up to anything dodgy since you left? Or that your former boss isn't trying to snatch the cash and run? Don't bloody do it!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 23/02/2022 17:06

You left in November?

AfraidToRun · 23/02/2022 17:08

If we did that where I work there would be fines, regulatory action and reputation loss. It's not your problem.

Regularsizedrudy · 23/02/2022 17:08

@Mumdiva99

Who sorted salaries in December and January....surely they can do that again. Not that it's any of your problem

Say what Thing47 suggested.

Wouldn’t surprise me if the boss had just been fobbing the employees off for those two months!
RebeccaCloud9 · 23/02/2022 17:09

Can you say you'll do it this once as long as they sort the procedure ready for next time? And charge them a MASSIVE consultancy fee?

Original poster
Trenisenne · 23/02/2022 17:09

Oh, I’m so relieved that people agree with me! The only thing that is making me hesitate is that I know the other employees will suffer.

And to the pp who said this - yes, it was a nightmare place to work.

I resigned in November, but had a two month notice period, so I did Dec and Jan.

OP posts:
WotgunShedding · 23/02/2022 17:10

I think OP resigned in November but only left last month

OurChristmasMiracle · 23/02/2022 17:10

I would also say no. You are no longer employed by them and you notified them prior to leaving that it may be an issue.

I would literally just say that unfortunately it isn’t possible for you to do it

Original poster
Trenisenne · 23/02/2022 17:11

@AfraidToRun

If we did that where I work there would be fines, regulatory action and reputation loss. It's not your problem.
This is good to hear - it’s just bad management to expect a former employee to be doing this.

Although I do like the idea of a massive consulting fee! (Joke)

OP posts:
Whydoesthecatalwaysdothat · 23/02/2022 17:11

You raised it at the end of November and they didn't do anything for three months?

Not your problem.

Let them use this as a learning experience.

riverpebbles · 23/02/2022 17:12

With a two month notice period AND you warning them that this would be an issue, they had plenty of time to sort themselves out. Someone else will need to be authorised to release payments and that is totally normal?

saveforthat · 23/02/2022 17:13

How come you still have access to their bank account if you no longer work there? That's madness.

Original poster
Trenisenne · 23/02/2022 17:16

@saveforthat

How come you still have access to their bank account if you no longer work there? That's madness.
Yes, it really is. It would have been the first thing I would have sorted out. Mind you, I also have access to servers, email, calendars…
OP posts:
Iggly · 23/02/2022 17:17

😱😱😱

Xenia · 23/02/2022 17:19

Also often directors fall out and the bank might have stopped payments being made and this might be some trick to involve you in a dispute. If they want the money that badly they can go into the branch and ask for a cash payment and hand that to people whilst they get the new bank mandate sorted out.

Sheilablessus · 23/02/2022 17:26

I would not because of the responsibility for things that have happened since my departure.
I would be willing to go to bank with Director to get change of signature tidied up. Which I had to do this for a charity once.

Furries · 23/02/2022 17:35

As everyone else has said, absolutely no way should you do this.