NationStates Jolt Archive

Last year my employer changed accounting firms. Today I recieved a letter claiming that the new accounting firm's software has made several errors over the last year and I have been over payed piecemeal to the tune of almost US$1000 (about 5% of my annual wage).

Before everyone starts screaming advice, I already have legal advice and know what I'll be doing about it, so don't try and give me any advice, as that's not whta this thread is asking.

I now reserve the right to call anyone who can't understand the above an idiot. :p

That being said, what would you do about this situation?

Shotgun rampage. That'll clear things right up.

Me? I would probably quit. Not my fault they "overpaid"

There is nothing to prevent them from taking it out of your salary so that is why I would quit.

Unless of course the lawyers tell you they can't do that......

Its like shopping:

If a product has a price tag that says $10, you have to give it to them for $10, even if its worth $15.

Quit, and get a real job.

I'd get a higher paying job. You're getting screwed if you're full time and only making 20k.

Get upset, and see if I had any avenue to dispute this, then wait for over two years for the final numbers for repayment to be figured out, then give up on the thing entirely because people can't get their shit together, knowing that this will come back to haunt me in future years, but not wanting to fight about it any more.

Been there, doing that. They overpaid me on my Mat leave, despite me repeatedly asking if they were making a mistake. But the onus is apparently on you to understand all the complicated accounting, and they can screw up with impunity. They being the government of course.

I bet in America a lot of people would spend the $1000 on a lawyer to tell the company they can't deduct it. :rolleyes:

Its like shopping:

If a product has a price tag that says $10, you have to give it to them for $10, even if its worth $15.

You are incorrect. There is no legal requirement for a shop to sell it's goods at the displayed price.

Me? I would probably quit. Not my fault they "overpaid"

There is nothing to prevent them from taking it out of your salary so that is why I would quit.

Unless of course the lawyers tell you they can't do that......

Actually, the union lawyers say exactly that. Japanese labor law says they can't take it out without my permission. :D

(And I'm not alone in this. This is actually the second wave of letters. The first wave was a month ago with employees who were leaving. Fun with seasonal migrant white collar work...)

I would explain to my boss how valuable I am, and that he should simply raise my salary retroactively to reflect the increase, and keep it coming.

I once got a paycheck for 10 hours of temp work at $10 an hour (so it should have been, for those who don't want to do the math, about $80 after taxes). When I opened the check, it was for a little over $100,000. I was tempted to go cash it and bring the cash back, but I decided not to be that mean to the bookkeeper who would have had a LOT of paperwork to do to explain that one.

I bet in America a lot of people would spend the $1000 on a lawyer to tell the company they can't deduct it. :rolleyes:

Wow two digs on the US inside of 5 minutes. You are on a roll today.

You are incorrect. There is no legal requirement for a shop to sell it's goods at the displayed price.

No, but I have never been to a store who's policy is different.

I bet in America a lot of people would spend the $1000 on a lawyer to tell the company they can't deduct it. :rolleyes:

Thank goodness I recently joined the union! My annual union dues are US$300. One of the best investments I've made, as it's paid off here as well as in some other areas. :D

I would explain to my boss how valuable I am, and that he should simply raise my salary retroactively to reflect the increase, and keep it coming.

I once got a paycheck for 10 hours of temp work at $10 an hour (so it should have been, for those who don't want to do the math, about $80 after taxes). When I opened the check, it was for a little over $100,000. I was tempted to go cash it and bring the cash back, but I decided not to be that mean to the bookkeeper who would have had a LOT of paperwork to do to explain that one.

I would have no problem not cashing that paycheck.

Thank goodness I recently joined the union! My annual union dues are US$300. One of the best investments I've made, as it's paid off here as well as in some other areas. :D
Thank goodness you have a union. Many are not so lucky.

Thank goodness you have a union. Many are not so lucky.

I was fairly resistant to the union until quite recently, as a certain policy (regarding the national pension plan) was something I saw as detrimental because of the possibility I'd have to pay 15 years back payment. When that was cleared up (I can get in straight up, no back paymernts at all), and several advantages were pointed out (getting in on a class action suit to have my overtime paid for example), I joined up right away.

what i would do is completely dependant on the other factors of the job.

supposing that it was legal and that their hands were tied about forcing me to repay

it depends on

how much i was being paid and if i could easliy get that rate somewhere else

who i was working with and how well i got on with them. plus all the other pleasant workplace issues

how my boss treats me. as i have to remind my sister now and then, all bosses are assholes. some because of their personality (or lack of) and sometimes because they have to enforce stupid rules that they dont support but its their job. a boss who isnt an asshole is a rare gem.

whether or not this job might be a stepping stone in my carreer.

if im working in a great job with fun people that pays well and will enhance my career, im gonna bitch about it but pay the $1000 back as slowly as possible

if im working at a piece of shit job that is easily replaced and means nothing to my career, im quitting today and letting them sue me for what i owe them.

No, but I have never been to a store who's policy is different.

I used to work for blockbusters and their policy was you pay the actual price and not the marked price.

I'd get a higher paying job. You're getting screwed if you're full time and only making 20k.

Hell Id be happy with a 20k a yr job. Right now I make between 10k and 12k yearly. But I'm in school training in something that might get me to 18k soon. And will go to school for something else better paying after I get this done.

Last year my employer changed accounting firms. Today I recieved a letter claiming that the new accounting firm's software has made several errors over the last year and I have been over payed piecemeal to the tune of almost US$1000 (about 5% of my annual wage).

I know of two or three occasions (here in the UK) people (unfortunately not me[1]) have been inadvertantly overpaid/undercharged in some manner (excuse me if I don't go into the specifics, apart from anythng else I'd probably be innaccurate over frankly unnecessary details) and in at least one case the advice that was sought from an accountant friend was "keep that extra money, keep it in a high-interest account and if you get asked for it back you should do so without question, but you may keep the interest". I'm not aware that this particular instance has ever spawned a request for a refund, over the last couple of decades, and I think the nestegg (even minus the original amount) is now quite significant. There's probably a statue of limitations that means it's all his now, but he's a cautious fellow.

This isn't quite the same, as you haven't had the benefit of taking advantage of the error before being told of it, but if your legal advice hasn't advised you that you should pay no more you were given (assuming you have been told you have to give it back, of course) then they are either severaly remiss or there's some principle of law that doesn't translate well crossing the pond.


[1] Ooh, just remembered, the other day a till rang something up as £3 when it was labelled (on the box itself, and the shelving) as £40, and they ummed and ahed and let me have it for that amount (while the staff rushed to the shelves to take the items off, possibly to get them for themselves ;)) and I got some shoes for half the labelled price. I was half tempted to go and buy a new car to see if I'd get lucky a third time... ;)