money problem

[as_cute_as_pie]

ok so as some of you may know I applied for a new job and got it, I gave them my bank details etc nd was fully ready to start with my leaving date of my other job around the 17th June.
I then went back to my old job and heard some awful stories about my 'new job' so I rang the new job back a few days later and told them I wouldn't be starting etc etc so im back at my old job

Today was pay day and i printed off a statement and I seen I had £175 (double it to get the USD) extra in the bank paid yesterday on top of my usual pay. I shrugged this off and thought nothing of it.

I get a phone call later saying its blah blah from (basically the 'new job') saying I was due to start work and I didnt.
I told them i had told the manager I wouldn't be able to start this job weeks ago.
She says no one had told them and therefore the £175 paid into my account was theres and for me not to spend it and they would like it back. She continues to say I should send them a cheque for the amount asap.

what do you guys think of this??

I am almost 100% certain its legit but what a carry on and hassle, how on earth did they pay me when I hadnt been at work AT ALL??

I told a friend and jokingly said I was going to keep it and laughed. She told me I didn't deserve it as I hadn't done any work. erm hello?? I was joking. I thought that was un called for

Anyway what do you think I should do? complain? tell them to pay the postage costs or what??

 

[Beauty Mark]

That's really shady that they'd release a check to you so far ahead of time. Most places are pretty strict about crediting you with only the hours you worked

 

[ben]

I would actually talk to someone at your bank and verify where the deposit actually came from before sending anything. Also have the company send you a paystub. I am not too sure how income tax is decucted where you are but you need to make sure that those earnings were not repored to the revenue agency.

What was this new company you were suppose to start with?

 

[as_cute_as_pie]

its called Kurt Geiger its a shoe company specialising in their own brand shoes aswell as designer brands.

What I can understand is I never worked any hours so how did they calculate how much I was supposed to get paid at the end of the month, the manager would have to send off the amount of hours I worked but since I never actually went AT ALL

Im not entirely sure how tax works (as ive been in school until a couple of weeks ago and tax until then is deducted when you get paid over a certain amount I think its about or just over £400) but Im not too sure how It works now.

Thanks for the replies I never thought about asking for a payslip but since ive been 'paid' I should have one technically!

 

[TRUEFASHIONISTA]

I completely agree with Ben. I would not return anything to that company until you can fully identify that company made the deposit and for that amount. And then I would give it back on your own time. I am not saying to wait 5 months to give it back but you should not have to go out of your way.

Technically, it is their fault and error. It would be like you returning an item to a store and they credit your credit card more than your purchase without you realizing it. Depending on how you look at it; I guess you can say morally you should bring it to the stores attention. However, you have no obligation to do so. And furthermore, the store cannot contact you afterwards and say "hey, we gave you back too much money! Give back to us now".

I would just double check all of the paperwork that you filled out when you applied and got the job to make sure that there wasn't a clause stating something about a deposit.

Good luck!

 

[as_cute_as_pie]

thanks for the reply.

I didnt actually sign a contract just a new starters sheet where it basically had on the hours I would work/days/pay rate etc which at the time the manager said she would fill out later. there was no small print etc.

I just don't know how they've paid me as with the pay rate I was going to get 1 weeks pay would be £102 and 2 weeks pay would be £204 etc etc so this £175.12 is a random number!

 

[Beauty Mark]

Did you have paid training? If so, you aren't required to give the money back

 

[mac-me-up]

find out from the bank where the deposit actually came from. if it came from that company, then ask for a pay stub to see what/how they calculated the amt. if it was advance pay for hours you would have worked, then you should return the $. but, it's rare for a company to pay you in advance especially when you haven't even started the job. if the money is for working hours they should have a pay stub to support that. in the meantime, if i were you i'd put that extra money in savings so you aren't tempted to spend it on MAC!!!!

 

[bAbY_cHiCkEn01]

I;m not sure whats its like there, but if an employer overpays you and requires that money back they are legally required to make you sign a form that says this, and they are to sign that too... And if you don't sign that paper, that money is as good as yours and they can't do jack about it.

 

[melliquor]

That is probably for 2 weeks pay less your tax. Your manager must have submitted your time that you were working before you started so you can get setup on payroll run for the month. I am assuming you get paid monthly. If you do, then it would make sense. Alot of companies that pay monthly pay you in advance from 1 week to 3 weeks.

If it was an error they can't legally take it out of your account. Once any money is in your account, they can't touch it. For a big company, they won't come after you for £175. It would cost them more money in the long run. I would wait for your payslip because you should have received that by now. If you haven't, then there is something really dodgy about that. I would call the manager at the store and ask him if he submitted any hours that you worked and if he/she did, ask for a payslip to be sent to you. If you don't get a payslip, keep the money. They have no proof that they paid that to you.