HR mistake - should I inform them?

[The_Ogre]

So I got a letter that I will be getting an increase last month.

I log into our HR system thing to check something unrelated and noticed the gross basic salary on my payslip is higher than the amount they told me in the increase letter.

The amount on my payslip is what was paid into my bank account - so the higher amount. I didn't notice because the amount being paid into my account differs every month due to standby and/or overtime.

Just wondering what you guys would do in a case like this?

 

[Sinbad]

I'd query it with my manager.
Not doing so is dishonest, and you open yourself up to repercussions. Not sure the legality of clawing the money back from you, but it's possible.

 

[LazyLion]

I would inform them, as this could affect your tax later on.
Rather get it sorted out now.

 

[3WA]

You didn’t see anything or notice anything.

Just keep the extra money somewhere safe in case you ever need to pay it back.

 

[CPTBoy]

My brain just probably works differently, I would not even debate this question, I'll let them know there is difference.

How would you look if they discover this 6 months down the line and ask you why you didn't let them know?

Plus side, maybe you inform them and they state, it's right because we secretly gave you a bigger raise.

 

[The_Ogre]

I'd query it with my manager.
Not doing so is dishonest, and you open yourself up to repercussions. Not sure the legality of clawing the money back from you, but it's possible.

Yeah, I think I'll send him a mail. My contract states that the employee is responsible for repayment of any overpayments. So they've covered themselves. Bastards!

 

[Pak Fa Fui]

If it’s less than 10% higher just keep quiet

 

[3WA]

How would you look if they discover this 6 months down the line and ask you why you didn't let them know?

Just show them a page full of incorrect tax calculations and say you thought it was correct and didn’t want to ask for fear of looking stupid.

 

[CPTBoy]

Just show them a page full of incorrect tax calculations and say you thought it was correct and didn’t want to ask for fear of looking stupid.

See, that's the point I'm talking about. You know for a fact that it's wrong, but will try a sketchy tactic to cover up. What happened to integrity?

 

[Bigjay84]

Raise it with HR, you don't need the drama for an extra couple of bucks

 

[Pax]

Sec 34 of the BCEA says they can unilaterally recover any overpayments. You'll see it on your next payslip and they won't take kindly to you not coming clean

 

[3WA]

What happened to integrity?

Mine is questionable at best

 

[The_Ogre]

If it’s less than 10% higher just keep quiet

It's less. The guilt will kill me though.

As someone else has mentioned, I don't want to be cross-questioned later when the books are being audited and they discover the discrepancy and force me to repay thousands.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Has it not been backdated?

 

[CPTBoy]

It's less. The guilt will kill me though.

As someone else has mentioned, I don't want to be cross-questioned later when the books are being audited and they discover the discrepancy and force me to repay thousands.

It's not even just that, you will suffer reputation damage and the employer will think "where else is this guy being dishonest?"

 

[Agent_Smith]

Mine is questionable at best

There's a career in government waiting for you!

 

[ShaunSA]

Just wondering what you guys would do in a case like this?

You mean you're wondering if you can get away with it

 

[The_Ogre]

Has it not been backdated?

Nope. It's the amount under basic salary. If it was backdated it would have said that as a different line item and amount.

 

[Smokey888]

If it’s less than 10% higher just keep quiet

Don't do this

 

[SirFooK'nG]

Just putting this out there, remember the NSFAS student who got the millions by mistake? Any amount no matter where it comes from paid to you that does not belong to you and you keep it, its stealing...