Microsoft asks sacked workers to pay back cash
MULTI BILLION DOLLAR software giant, Microsoft, laid off 1,400 employees last month and it seems someone in the HR department didn't really know how to work Excel, leading to a number of the newly-unemployed staff getting excess severence pay.
Now the company, once run by the wealthiest man on Earth and which makes more cash than several minor European countries combined, has asked the ex-Voles to pay back the money.
Letters to the recently unemployed from Microsoft's Human Resources read:
This letter is to inform you that an inadvertant administrative error occured that resulted in an overpayment of severance pay by Microsoft. We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to you.
The overpayment occured on February 13, 2009 payroll in a Gross overpayment of $[deleted] (Gross amount). The Net (after-tax) amount you owe back to Microsoft is $[deleted].
We request that you follow these repayment instructions: please make your check or money order payable to "Microsoft Corporation" within fourteen (14) days for the full $[deleted] (Net) amount identified above and mail it to...
The interesting thing about the letters, scans of which can be found over at Tech Crunch, is that none of the language used seems to demand payment be made. 'We ask you to repay...' and 'We request that you follow...' would lead us to believe Microsoft would like its cash back, but doesn't hold up much hope of ever seeing it again.
If it was us they'd have to tear it out of our cold, dead hands. µ
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This is one of 2009 - fortune's 101 dumbest moments in business.
hmm.. lets see, 1000 employees for $1000 each overpayment = $1 million.
from the link, the image looks like a 6 to 8 numbers ($#####.##)
i wouldnt pay this back even on 2nd or 3rd notice. will probably wait for the threatening notices.
After so long they can not demand it back but only ask and hope they give it back. does anyone know the time frame between geting and asking?
I was over paid after some other big company got rid of me. Didn't pay for a year until they warned me about charging interest and contacting the collectors.
These things happen alot. People get overpaid, receive bonus that they are not entitled to, gross amounts being paid out instead of net amounts, etc.
You are right that the letters show that MS has to rely on the honesty of the individuals to get the money back. However, in my experience most staff do actually pay the money back. Seems like not all are cynics like certain writers at the Inq and believe that they are "entitled" to gain from such a mistake.
It's not the ex-employees money. Money is a personal item, not public funds. Monies are earned, collected based upon earnings paid by contract either hourly or salary. Give it back. It's dirty money now.
What is an "inadvertant" error? Do they make errors on purpose sometimes?
Not a smart move. The money should be paid back. Apologise?? Perhaps they should add a spell check class with the Excel refresher.
Isn't it funny that those responsible for this screw up are the ones who still have a job !
the situation is legally binding which is why the letter is an 'ask' and not a 'demand'.
do you think microsoft (ex)employees are stupid enough to pay it back?
it wouldnt surprise me hahahahahahahaha
@Robio
"...Give it back. It's dirty money now."
Given microsoft's monopolistic and anti-competitive practices every cent these ex-staff earned is dirty already.
Tag: Vole asks poor souls to return dole.
GZ
Apologise is spelled correctly.
Your spell checker obviously relies on US-English not ENGLISH-English.
Kudos to MS....
well if it was an honest company that treats its employees well then they should and likely would be nice help them out... but this is Microsoft... MICROSOFT!
Did you know they asked for 2400 Additional H-1B Visas ONE WEEK after they fired those people? Yea, we fired you so we can replace you with that $1/day indian man whore in a time when you will probably not find another job and then we made the mistake of accidentally overpaying you on your severance package, which is now almost decent instead of just insulting.
Under those circumstances i think everyone can agree that poor little ms should clearly get that money back. After all, in these hard times they only made a few more trillions this month then they did last month.
The former employees have the option of waiting to be sued for the money if they believe they can win, but it is probably much less hassle to just return it. 2400 visas? That makes no sense, it would be simpler to just open up a foreign location.
Microsoft just droped the payback demand on ex-workers.
news today.