Old employer said I owe them money then ghosted

[Baggingarea]

Needs help from HR type people over an issue with an ex employer.

So the other day I get a (legit - checked it wasnt phishing) email from my old employer's payroll saying I owe them 2 months' salary as this was paid in error.

For context these were two months I worked. They seem to suggest I was overpaid but this amount was my entire salary after tax.

Its definitely error and they do have form for this (despite being a big company). But I dont earn very much and this was a horrible shock. I responded with evidence that this is not the case and have heard absolutely nothing back in days.

I emailed my old manager basically asking him to chip in and confirm I did work these months and essentially he's said its clearly an error, chill out. Reminding me why I left really.

Now I'm a bit pissed off tbh - this is such a horrible way to leave someone hanging. My worry is that they will come back demanding payment or set the bailiffs on me. I actually left the job because they had overpaid me a smaller amount which I was made to pay back (which I did and is all settled).

I'm no longer an employee but I am a contractor for them. What can I do? Im tempted to make an official complaint but is this worth it? Do I even have a right to complain?

You haven't been ghosted, no one's got back to you yet, in August. You can prove you worked so forget about and move on. If they were to stupidly pursue this, you have proof so don't give it any more headspace.

From what you describe the only way you could owe them money is if the payroll process covers time you didn’t work (2 weeks in advance, 2 in arrears monthly for example) or you’d taken more holiday than you had accrued by the time you left.

You’ve emailed asking for a breakdown and explaining why they’re wrong. Sit tight, it’s all good and likelihood is they’ll just let it go.

How long ago did you contact them with evidence? They might not respond for weeks. Do you have a union?

Thanks to pps for responding. I am not worried that its a mistake but i am worried theyll either pursue through incompetence or this will keep happening. I just want to send a message that they cant just harrass me willy nilly as i suspect they might.

Im not part of a union but think probably prudent to join one for my industry. Will see what they advise.

I honestly think this is a non-issue, and tbh I’m surprised that the reason you left your job was due to them overpaying you and you paying it back. These things happen, unless it was worded extremely aggressively it isn’t harassment and wouldn’t be worthy of a complaint.

They’ve just arsed up again. I wouldn’t worry about it. You know the deal. Your line manager does too. You’ve been paid so I’d suggest that’s that.

They should get back to you to confirm though. Couod taje them up to three weeks if their HR is busy though.

I guess maybe I havent communicated the full picture but don't want to be outing. I didn't ask whether anyone thought I was right or wrong to leave this job in the first place.

They are so incompetent. I like the work but even as a contractor they make it impossible to know when you'll actually get paid. When I was staff they repeatedly forgot to pay me. I think this may be where the issue lies. And this is a huge national employer, not a lil mom n pop outfit. Perhaps they've done the same to others and thats why line manager so chill?

If anyone is interested in an update - as expected, they have doubled down and are demanding this payment.

A union can’t advise on an ongoing issue. You have to have joined the union before that.

Presumably they have told you why you are liable for repayment? and you have provided proof that it was salary for paid work? and you have picked up the phone and had a discussion with them? and if still in disagreement escalated it higher in the big company food chain for investigation?

This.

They're wrong. You can prove they are wrong. Just email them a copy of your pay slip. Point out you worked a full week/month/whatever, and ask them to stop bothering you.

The employer needs to provide full workings. If they have overpaid they are entitled to money back, but they need workings. Ideally from a finance person

I would leave somewhere because of that. They sound like disorganised shitclowns.

If you are sure of your position, tell them they can fucking whistle for it and take you to court*

Not in so many words, politely and in legal language of course. But that would be the subtext.

Thanks all for replies.

I sadly dont have access to payslips as I'm a former employee - lesson learnt there. Going to get someone from HR involved hopefully as ex line manager doesnt want to get involved.

Annoyingly they only communicate by email with no contact number. Gargh.

Gd to know re unions.

Is it Boots by any chance?

You are entitled to request your previous payslips from them. I would make sure when you ask for it you mention that if necessary you will do it as a subject access request, as they are then on notice that they can’t destroy the records.

It might also be worth asking them to confirm the dates the overpayments allegedly occurred and to what bank account these were paid, ideally with some sort of proof on their end that these transactions took place. It could be an accounting scam where they record it as being paid to you but really it's being diverted into someone else's account. I've heard of that happening before.
If they keep pushing though, let them take you to small claims for it, show up with all your documents, and prove that you never received these "overpayments". Don't let any debt collectors scam you into agreeing to a repayment plan. I'd also reconsider contracting for them.

You are owed a reply to say whether or not they agree that a mistake has been made.
Not sure how long it would take to check if you worked then but they should have at least told you that they could get back to you within X days.

If I were you I wouldn’t want to suddenly receive a small claims court summons or something when you haven’t done anything wrong

I’m not sure that they’ve ghosted you but they should have sent some sort of reply.

Thanks all - I really appreciate this help.

If anyone is interested, they have tripled, quadrupled down so basically I have followed (politely) this pps advice.

I have repeatedly asked for them to provide more evidence to no avail. I have provided everything i can.

Repeatedly asked for a working number to call to no avail.

Seek legal advice how to get them to stop, get solicited to act for you and perhaps pay you some compensation for the worry/time and hassle their incompetence is causing you, plus legal fee repayment as they were ignoring you so you had no option other than to pay a solicitor to sort them out