If you were overpaid by mistake would you tell your employer?
By pilbara
@pilbara (1436)
Australia
May 14, 2007 2:01am CST
A friend of mine does casual work and last week she got paid twice for the same job.
She knows it is a mistake but has said that she won't be telling them and if they work it out she will just say she didn't notice.
I think she should tell them and give the money back, she says they make so many millions that she doubts they will notice and they can afford to lose a few hundred dollars.
Would you tell them or not?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
14 May 07
I would most definitely tell them. Here's a point to consider. If they had underpaid her, or had not paid her for the job at all, what would she have done? Would she consider it as them stealing from her ? Taking her work without pay? I am a pretty honest person, if a cashier gives me too much change, I give it back to them. I really adhere to the policy, " do unto others as you would have done unto you" If you wouldn't want someone stealing from you, don't steal from them. This mistake will likely be caught be HR at some point, and even if she says she didn't notice, they'll know she did. They may not fire her as it was their initial mistake and they've no proof she did notice, but they will definitely change their opinion of her.
1 person likes this
@pilbara (1436)
• Australia
14 May 07
You make a number of valid points and all of these were things that I said to her about it, but it wasn't enough to get her to change her mind.
What really got me was her effectively bragging about it. What was I supposed to do, congratulate her for being lucky?
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
14 May 07
She should tell them beause by not telling them she is being dishonest. her excuse that she did not notice would make her sound like she is not attentive and is not a consciention, reliable person. She could even be accused of stealing by the comapny for keeping it.
My pay is done by direct deposit into my bank account. There is always a paper trail of sorts and it would be found probably quickly. Even if not found right away it may be found when she cannot afford to give it back and they take it from her pay anyway.
Are you sure you want this person as a friend? What else is she dishonest about? I would be wary of her.
@pilbara (1436)
• Australia
14 May 07
I agree they probably will find out about it, and, as you say it often is at the worst possible time.
this is the first time I have ever heard her say anything like this and yes it does make you think, because in my opinion there is no question that you get it fixed as quickly as possible.
