Getting overpaid. Should I tell payroll?

THCCatbert · Jun 29, 2011

Failing to report overpayment of wages is considered stealing and you may be terminated for not reporting. In addition, depending on the amount, the employer can file criminal charges against you. Do the write thing and report it - either to payroll or to your supervisor (the one responsible for determining your pay). Remember to document the date, time and individual to whom you reported the overpayment and that they will most likely take back any overpayment. You must report any over payment each and everytime you receive it.

Also, are you on a CA 12 hour shift? If so, the quoted amount most likely does not include overtime for the last 4 hours of the shift. Ask someone to explain how hourly rate is calculated.

bradleau · Jun 29, 2011

When my place of employment started depositing our pay checks electronically errors happened. I was trying to close out an account at the bank, discovering extra in my checking account....the bank said I had to take ALL of it. So I did, mailing the difference to my savings account on the west coast. About 2 weeks later Payroll accused me of "taking" the money that they had put in the wrong account. I told them what had occurred and that I would have that money back for them in about a week. They did not like that one bit. I did not make the mistake. I put this extra in a safe place. My husband frequently would add cash to my checking account and not tell me. So I was waiting till I heard from him to try and find out if he had. I had contacted Payroll early on as I thought there was a mistake. They denied wrong doing on their part. After being verbally threatened, I held my ground and requested that they prove what had happened. It was their error, not mine. I also had written evidence that I had questioned them early on. SO DEFINATELY get with payroll and keep records. They may say the money is yours, and want it back later when you can least afford having a shorted check. It took me a few more years before I trusted that they had gotten rid of the bugs in the system.

Elizabeth Oliva · Jun 29, 2011

LMAO you are HILARIOUS :lol2: . I think God wants you to have fun this Summer too. But I think honesty is best. Maybe your honesty will work in your favor if a position opens.

belgarion · Jun 29, 2011

ETA: I see that you told them. Good for you. However, I also see that they are going to dock your next paycheck, which tells me you went ahead and SPENT THE FRIGGING MONEY, knowing it wasn't yours. Man alive.

Accounting departments like for things to be tied up in a nice neat little package. Adjusting a future check for an overage is part of most standard payroll software packages. Crediting a personal check into the payroll account is a nightmare - at least the way they think.

BB0513 · Jun 29, 2011

Hey everyone. I am a student nurse for the summer at a summer camp, and just received my first paycheck. It seems like they are significantly overpaying me each week from our initial agreement. On one hand, I feel like I should tell payroll because they are probably going to realize their mistake eventually and be disappointed that I wasn't up front about it when the first paycheck came. On the other hand, I'm thinking maybe God just wants me to have some extra fun this summer, and of course I could put the money to good use! What should i do?!

You should be up front and honest... God does not bless in dishonest ways. If you know God then you also know you should bring the error to payrolls attention.

Nurse Truenorth · Jun 29, 2011

I had a friend who let it go on for a very long time with being overpaid and eventually the hospital asked it back from him. They did not like that he had not brought it to their attention although his argument was why did they not catch it themselves. They sued him for the overpayment and he had to pay it back. It ended up being in the thousands and they basically garnished his paycheck until it was paid back. Hope this helps.

newnurseotb · Jun 29, 2011

It would be dishonest to keep the money and it may be grounds for termination if you don't bring it up.

jhanes · Jun 29, 2011

I agree: Honesty is the best policy and the sooner you tell them, the better it will be. I'm gratified that everyone writing in on this are encouraging you to do the right thing.

kindaquazie · Jun 29, 2011

"On one hand, I feel like I should tell payroll because they are probably going to realize their mistake eventually...

Really? I have a question for you, If you knew they would never "realize their mistake" would you keep your mouth shut and take money that you were not entitled to? Because by definition, that is steeling. It is the same as when you get to your car after grocery shopping and find they did not charge you for the items in the bottom of your cart...Do you go back and pay for them? Of course, otherwise it is steeling. If taking money that does not belong to you is ok, where do you draw the line, leaving the scene of an accident, not reporting that you gave someone a wrong drug or drug dose, cheating on a spouse? Your values and beliefs will be put to much greater tests than this in your lifetime. If you don't clarify your values now, you may find yourself in very big trouble one day. Just ask the folks at Enron, or Haliburton, or former President Richard Nixon. Set your moral compass true now, and it will not fail you later.

Boognish · Jun 29, 2011

Considering that most if not all major world religions promote honesty as a core value, I doubt that God wants you to hide this from your employer. Be honest and upfront about it. Integrity is one of the many things in life we gain by mL and lose by the L

Chiggysmom · Jun 29, 2011

Audits are done and when they find the error, they will come back to you for the overage. Go fix it now.

I totally agree! Eventually, they will surely find the error and they will expect the money back. It's just not worth it. Honesty is definitely the best policy here.

Cuezee2 · Jun 29, 2011

As a student nurse with no money I get the temptation, but if you don't report it there's a great chance it will come back to bite you in the later. As my mother would say, "what does your heart tell you to do?"

Good luck!