I'm really cross - need to rant...

[AddictedtoCrunchies]

I know that I'm being unreasonable but that doesn't make me any less cross.

i returned to work in October on part time hours (30 per week). when i spoke to my director he said that there was no problem and that we'd review it after three months just to check everything was ok.

I changed managers a month later and the review meeting got cancelled, my new manager was happy with my hours and I was coping well so no problem.

I opted for childcare vouchers starting on 1 January and expected my salary toc hange, which it did although it didn't go down as much as I thought. I assumed it was because they are tax and NI free so didn't give it another thought.

Now HR have just called my manager to sya they've been paying me as a full timer (35 hrs per week) since 1 January and that I've got to pay it back (21 weeks x extra 5 hours makes around £1500). It seems my original director's secretary filled in my 'return to work' form saying I was only part time until 1 January. We were reviewing it then, informally but they had agreed I was going part time permanently.

I know I've been paid the money I shouldn't have and maybe I should have noticed it but i can't pay back £1500 in one hit - I don't even earn that much in a month. My manager has said that 'it happens' and that I can 'probably pay it back over a number of months'.

I'm so feckin cross I could up sticks and walk out right now. Tossers.

As i said, I know I owe the money but surely payroll and HR have a duty to make sure their records are right.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Rant over. Anyone work for a union or in HR that can give me some advice? Or can someone just agree with me to make me feel a bit better..

BASTARDS.

Thats so shite, blatantly lack of communication between two managers... I was over paid on the firt 2 months of maternity and had to pay it back.

Only think I would advise is what I was told. Because it was HR error I was allowed to oay it back gradually..... But that was shite.

I would get in touch with your union just to check your rights.

I am very angry for you! Feel free to rant more

YANBU to be cross. It is rubbish I agree.

To be fair though, HR and payroll can only go on the information given to them by line managers - it seems they were told part time was only a temporary arrangement and I'm not sure it's realistic to expect them to physically check what they've been told is actually correct. If the form said definitely until January only rather than 'reviewed in January' I don't think they can be blamed for taking that at face value. If it said 'reviewed in January' then yes I do think they and/or payroll should have chased it up then.

Does your manager not have to sign off on the form though? Is he taking responsibility? Doesn't sound like it....

You do of course have to pay it back, but it is reasonable to negotiate a suitable plan for deductions over a number of months - I'm sure no one will expect you to hand over a cheque for £1500.

I rant every week/month about work so go ahead. BUT do you enjoy your job? Would you be able to get another job with the same conditions if you left?
Could you go out with your work friends and have a good time out (don't moan about work as it might backfire) Hope you have the weekend off and the sun is out.

Thanks all. I'm calm today..not so cross.

They did this to my partner - gave his increment too early, and then had to ask him to pay it back. They did agree to take it back at the same rate and over the same time they'd paid it out though, so it wasn't a lump sum. Would you be able to ask to do something similar?