Springbok747 From Australia, joined Nov 2004, 4387 posts, RR: 13 Posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1845 times:
Microsoft says it made an accounting error when it laid off some employees last month and now feels the best way to correct the error is with what will likely add up to a public relations blunder.
The software giant, which recently laid off 1,400 employees, sent letters this week to some of those former workers letting them know that their severance payouts were a bit too "generous" and respectfully requested that the former employees pay back that money.
LHR380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1839 times:
If its been paid, then its there own problem, not there recently let go staff members. They should have checked the payments before sending them out, and should not have to pay it back.
Talk about kick in the teeth,
"Your sacked, heres some money"
"Hang on, we made a mistake, can we have some money back, we gave ya too much"
StasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1836 times:
Knowing MicroSoft, they'll sue the terminated employees for the cash. They have more lawyers than engineers working there...
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1713 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1776 times:
Quoting Francoflier (Reply 3): That's a rather disgusting attitude. It's also a valuable message to all Microsoft employees who still work there. Now they know who they work for.
Not really, payroll errors happen at every company, i work for a great company (not Microsoft), i love my job, and i've been the recipient of payroll errors on the plus side (too much money in the check) and invariably the following pay period it's deducted with apologies, just because Microflot is one of the world's largest companies, doesn't make them immune to errors, because ultimately, Microflot and companies like them, are made of up tens of thousands of human beings, each one capable of making a misake at one point or another.
That being said, it's kind of crass for Microsoft to do this to recently laidoff employees, but, mistakes happen, all they can do is ask the former employee to please return the appropriate amount, and chances are the employee will because when you're looking for a job in a tough market, you don't want to do *anything* to run afoul of a former employer because the HR department at the company you're applying to will call for a reference, and sometimes the difference between getting and not getting the job comes down to how well or poorly your last company speaks of you.
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
Francoflier From France, joined Oct 2001, 3195 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 1718 times:
Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 4): the following pay period it's deducted with apologies
Well, that's my point, really. If there isn't a next pay period to deduct that money out of, then you'd better make double sure that you're sending the right amount if you don't want yourself exposed to that kind of embarrasment and bad rep.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit posting...
Kirkseattle From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 182 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1614 times:
The Seattle PI is reporting that there were underpayments as well.
I really feel sorry for those employees - on both ends. Once you are separated from a company you really want to just move on. This kind of error doesn't help however, both situations need to be corrected. Just because there was an overpayment doesn't make it right and should be paid back.
Fxramper From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 7023 posts, RR: 93 Reply 7, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 1537 times:
Would be nice if Gates wrote a check for the overpayment of laid off employees and took care of it himself.
KirkSeattle From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 182 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1380 times:
looks like Microsoft has had a change of heart for the 25 employees.....TWENTY FIVE! The average mistake was $4K - $5K !
Northwestair From Poland, joined Jul 2001, 636 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1208 times:
I got a letter from Continental Airlines that I was being administratively terminated because I was off of work for more than 6 months due to an Injury that I suffered at work. I ended up having to have brain surgery and 15 months of Therapy and just last week I got another letter stating that I needed to pay Continental Airlines $105.00 but they don't tell me why they just say I owe the Company money. So you really feel the love from any Company
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From Australia, joined Nov 2004, 4387 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, 
From France, joined Oct 2001, 3195 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 1734 posts, 
From Poland, joined Jul 2001, 636 posts, 
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