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AIBU?

...to keep the extra money?

198 replies

sallydecker · 30/10/2009 13:55

Am a regular but namechanged...

This is the classic moral dilemma, and I fully expect to be flamed, but here goes

I returned to work in September on 0.6 basis after a year's maternity leave; most of which was on SMP only, so finances are still up the shitter.

I received a pay rise in Sept- this was due to be credited to my October pay packet; However, I just checked and I think they have paid me a full time wage+pay rise, as they have paid me at least a grand too much (by my reckoning).

Let's be clear- I desperately need this money; have so many bills, overdraft etc. to pay off and things are incredibly tight- DP was made redundant 3 times this year, and has now taken a job with a much lower salary. But does any of this matter?

Should I ring payroll and tell them they made a mistake?

Or should I keep the money, pay everything off and buy some things we need?

Hit me- AIBU to keep the money?

OP posts:

Report

eyetunes · 30/10/2009 14:51

If you are intending on trying it on for this month, you simply have to say something if you get the same extra pay next month. You couldn't fail to notice how much extra you are getting.

But still think if i were in your shoes I may not say anything until next payday.

What does your payslip say? Are you sure it is not tax rebate or some other payment?

RumourOfAHurricane · 30/10/2009 14:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

junglist1 · 30/10/2009 14:53

I'd keep it. If they ask for it back at a later date you can say you thought you were entitled to it, and pay back in installments. I've done this before and it always works out OK.
But if more money goes in again you won't get away with it. It has to be a one off

RGPargy · 30/10/2009 15:01

It could be that you have been paid the holiday you were entitled to whilst on mat leave. When i returned to work, i was entitled to sell back some of my holiday that i'd accrued whilst on leave and it equated to pretty much an extra grand. I bet you this is what it is! I would deffo ring payroll tho. It's really not worth the stress and worry of not knowing when/if they will contact you to ask for it back if it turns out not to be yours. Check your payslip - that should explain everything on it too.

Good luck - i hope it really is yours to spend!!

TrickOrTreatersDragOnYourNoose · 30/10/2009 15:01

"It's a no-brainer."

Yes, you're right - it's a no brainer that she needs to tell them.

You think it is OK to take money which isn't yours just because the company may not notice right away if at all??

the key is that the OP has noticed the apparent over payment and thus needs to tell them. Unless, as someone else said, she is an accomplished liar.

hf128219 · 30/10/2009 15:26

Yep I do think it is OK. She hasn't taken money from the company - they have given it to her.

nearlybeans · 30/10/2009 15:31

I would assume it were an adjustment, not spend it this month (just in case it's an overpayment), and see what happens next time. If it happens again, it's an error, and then it should be dealt with. It's a little early to be having a kitten about the moral implications of something that may well not have happened.

LaurieScaryCake · 30/10/2009 15:32

I would keep the money and tell employer next week and say that you need to pay it back in installments as you have already had an unexpectedly large direct debit come out to the gas company

junglist1 · 30/10/2009 15:33

Good one Laurie

flowerybeanbag · 30/10/2009 15:34

The trouble with asking for a repayment plan is that if the OP has only just been paid it, and knows it was in error, there is no way she should need a repayment plan as she shouldn't have spent any of it in the first place.

cakeywakey · 30/10/2009 15:36

hf128219 how the money came to be in her account is not the point - if she isn't entitled to it, then she shouldn't (and can't) keep it

deepbreath · 30/10/2009 15:36

What if they realise and decide to deduct some or all of the money from your wages next month?

Although you need the money now, you might end up with little or no wages at the end of next month - just before Christmas.

cakeywakey · 30/10/2009 15:37

I say can't because they will be able to take it back - whether through a payment plan or by taking it our of her wages.

LaurieScaryCake · 30/10/2009 15:37

Yep, thats why I said wait a week - anyone can spend a grand in a week on huge bloomin gas bills

LilRedWG · 30/10/2009 15:37

"People love to jump on the bandwagon about morals but would not hesitate in keeping extra change in a shop."

Do you really think that?

hf128219 · 30/10/2009 15:38

But she can keep it (for now).

TrickOrTreatersDragOnYourNoose · 30/10/2009 15:38

It is not OK to keep something you know isn't yours. The company haven't "given" it to her, they appear to have made a mistake and the OP has noticed this which is not the same thing at all.

Northernlurker · 30/10/2009 15:39

Of course you can't keep it - it isn't yours - as far as you know. If you don't tell them and it isn't yours because of holiday pay etc then they will either notice and think you dishonest - which you are. Or they will pay you the smae next month and the month after and you'll end up with thousands you haven't earnt. Your current dire straits will seem like a picnic compared to what will happen then. This is not an odd £10 or so. This is serious money and if you keep it without checking you are going to fuck up your life. Is that worth £1000?

Oh and I always hand back overpayments in shops and point out when I've been undercharged.

hf128219 · 30/10/2009 15:40

But she doesn't know for sure it's not hers, does she?

junglist1 · 30/10/2009 15:41

Don't spend it all on bills OP. Treat yourself a little, you deserve it after being in the crap financially

Northernlurker · 30/10/2009 15:41

no she doesn't - but using that marvellous thing the TELEPHONE she can easily check. There's no excuse for her not noticing and not checking!

GhoulsafraidofVirginiaWoolf · 30/10/2009 15:41

Pay it back. Get some brownie points for pointing out their mistake. Don't keep it. Your financial circumstances are not relevant. I am really skint and going through a break up - does that make it OK for me to pick up and keep the £20 you dropped from your purse when busy sorting out your baby? Nope. What goes around comes around

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LaurieScaryCake · 30/10/2009 15:44

Its not stealing if she intends to pay it back in installments - its just shifting the money from the company account to hers

it is NOT the same as nicking money in a shop

its more like an interest free loan

No excuse for not paying it back though

junglist1 · 30/10/2009 15:47

Fat turkey this Christmas eh OP?

TrickOrTreatersDragOnYourNoose · 30/10/2009 15:48

"its just shifting the money from the company account to hers"

Isn't that called embezzlement?

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