Moral dilemma

[Strokes]

If you started a new job and on the first pay packet you received, they accidently put your hourly rate at £2 higher than had been agreed. Would you fess up? wait for the next pay packet? Or just keep your mouth shut?

[sphericalfox]

if you take it and spend it, and they realise then you'll probably be short next month when they take it directly from your pay. Best to bring it to their attention, and not splurge.

[Strokes]

if you take it and spend it, and they realise then you'll probably be short next month when they take it directly from your pay. Best to bring it to their attention, and not splurge.

Im not really too worried by that as i have done plenty of overtime for next weeks money, so if they claim it back i wouldnt really feel it. Its more the moral side of it, i think i could turn a blind eye if its a one off mistake but if next weeks the same, im not so sure.

[The Year Of The Fox]

You should tell them, how'd you know they're not testing you?

[Rocket-Ron]

Hand it back, perfect opportunity to build your employers trust in you.

[Jimothy]

Hand it back, or at least make them aware so they can rectify it in your next pay. Like Ron says perfect chance to build trust with your employer. Also you'd be banging their door down Monday morning if it was the other way round.

[MooseBreath]

If it was a throw-away job that I didn't mind losing (eg part time while studying) then I'd probably roll with it. Who knows maybe the error was made when you were told an incorrect rate and actually the higher rate is correct. Plausible deniability.

If I cared about the job I'd probably mention it but without being specific. A little email to HR saying it seems to be different from the agreed rate but without providing any details. Put the ball in their court. If it's a small company without a seperate HR dept you're probably better off coming clean though.

[Finnegan]

You should tell them, how'd you know they're not testing you?

 

It's a pretty bollocks test. Not everyone's going to look that closely at their paycheck.

 

I've always been shit with money so maybe this isn't entirely normal behaviour but I usually just check my balance, if it's a lot higher I know I've been paid, then I crack on. I could have been underpaid for years and I wouldn't know.

[stix]

Wait until next week, if it's still the same then tell them. If they question why you didn't tell them last week just say you haven't opened your payslip yet.

[Strokes]

It's a pretty bollocks test. Not everyone's going to look that closely at their paycheck.

I've always been shit with money so maybe this isn't entirely normal behaviour but I usually just check my balance, if it's a lot higher I know I've been paid, then I crack on. I could have been underpaid for years and I wouldn't know.

Same tbf, i only checked my payslip to see if my p45 had gone on, or if they had put me on basic rate. I wish i hadnt checked

[The Year Of The Fox]

It's a pretty bollocks test. Not everyone's going to look that closely at their paycheck.

 

I've always been shit with money so maybe this isn't entirely normal behaviour but I usually just check my balance, if it's a lot higher I know I've been paid, then I crack on. I could have been underpaid for years and I wouldn't know.

No, I'm the opposite. I haven't checked my bank balance for a couple if weeks but always study my payslips!

[Rincewind]

Just ask what your hourly rate is. They are sure to notice at some point if they keep records and wouldn't it show on their NI and tax when they caculate the running total?

[MPH]

You can only be seen in a positive light by telling them. Nothing bad whatsoever can come from telling them...

honesty is rare these days... it would be a great way to be instantly in the forefront of your bosses mind.

[Rincewind]

Slightly off topic but I remember my mum going in a shop and when she checked outside the had given her too much change. She went back in and told the woman she had the wrong change and was told once she was out the shop that was it. My mum said fair enough you gave me too much and walked back out.

 

So just say theres been a mistake and see if they realise.

[wurmer]

You'll probably find a clause in your employment contract about your obligations to report overpayments, and failure to do so is normally considered a gross misconduct offence is such clauses...

[Orkneyfox]

You wouldn't have asked if you didn't know inside that you should give it back. Give it back and build trust, as several others have said but it is worth checking if it is actually correct, no harm doing it that way. Any member of my team that pulled a stunt that involved what could basically be theft would either be out or under extremely close and uncomfortable scrutiny for some time to come - so 'fess up!

[Webbo]

If it happens again next week and you report it they'll notice the previous week's mistake and ask you why you didn't mention it then. 

[Strokes]

If it happens again next week and you report it they'll notice the previous week's mistake and ask you why you didn't mention it then.

Well im still being paid by my previous employer, so legitimately i wouldnt have noticed unless i checked. Which i did.

[Jimothy]

Well im still being paid by my previous employer, so legitimately i wouldnt have noticed unless i checked. Which i did.

Of all the people here who've said they don't check payslips, not one of them won't have checked the first payslip of a new job. You start at a new place, you want to make sure you're on the right tax code, you want to make sure the payroll department isn't useless. So for that reason alone, go to them now, because they probably won't believe you next week when you say you've only just looked at your first weeks slip.

[BoneDog]

No, I'm the opposite. I haven't checked my bank balance for a couple if weeks but always study my payslips!

 

Same here, I always check everything on the payslip but am never quite sure what my bank balance is. 

 

Do people keep their payslips? I heard that you're supposed to, so I've got a pile of them from 15 years or so. I'd quite like to dispose of them to make room in my paperwork box but not sure if they might be needed.

[The Year Of The Fox]

Same here, I always check everything on the payslip but am never quite sure what my bank balance is. 

 

Do people keep their payslips? I heard that you're supposed to, so I've got a pile of them from 15 years or so. I'd quite like to dispose of them to make room in my paperwork box but not sure if they might be needed.

Youre supposed to keep them for 10 years. Truth be told i have no idea where fridays one is now ive studied it once

[Brenfox]

I know someone who had the same problem & they continued to be overpaid every month they were there.

[Strokes]

I know someone who had the same problem & they continued to be overpaid every month they were there.

Hmmm interesting, how long were they there, if you know pls?

[kylestyle06]

Do you work for a big company or small? I would give it back as when they find out you willl get it docked from the next week / months wages

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

The old saying "Honesty is the best policy", stands the test of time. I would certainly point it out, as your employer will find out anyway. Come clean and prove yourself honest.