Microsoft asks laid-off staff to refund overpaid redundo cash
Holds up out hand after cock-up
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Microsoft has asked some former employees it recently laid off to return a wad of their severance pay after the software giant made an embarrassing accounting cock-up.
The blunder was picked up by TechCrunch, which obtained a copy of a letter Redmond had sent out to an undisclosed number of ex-employees. Microsoft has since confirmed that the letter was authentic.
"An inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft," reads the letter, dated 18 February. "We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to you."
It’s understood that some former MS staff were given too much severance pay while the company had underpaid others. Those who were overpaid were sent letters asking them to refund Microsoft either by cheque or via a money transfer.
The firm axed 1,400 jobs following a less-than-pretty earnings report last month. It plans to let go of an additional 3,600 workers over the next 18 months.
Microsoft described the accounting error as “a private matter between the company and the affected people”.
Meanwhile in not unrelated news, the firm announced the launch of a new US-based job training tools website, dubbed Elevate America.
Microsoft claimed that its new initiative would "provide up to two million people over the next three years with the technology training needed to succeed in the 21st-century economy".
However, the resource, which includes guides on how to use the internet, send email and create a resume CV, as well as more advanced programs on using specific MS apps, is only currently available to residents in three states in the US: Florida, New York and Washington. Anyone else will be shuttered out for the foreseeable future. ®
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COMMENTS
@ AC 23 Feb 23:58
"Setup multipule offshore accounts and bounce the money around like a Superball in a tumble dryer then grab the next fight out to the cayman islands!"
You, sir, owe me a new keyboard. And monitor. You bloody crook! ;)
return overpayment
I once made an error on a one off payment from my account (I got one digit wrong) and deposited a thousand pounds into some bloke's bank account instead of my mum's account (internet banking).
Scared I might lose the whole lot I immediately rang the bank who advised that if that bloke touched the money it would be theft (unless he was expecting a thousand pounds at the time) and I would definitely get my money back.
As it happened, the bank was right, but I don't know what the other guy's reaction was when he saw his statement...
If it was the same as some posters here I might have had a real problem...
@Chris Bradshaw/bank error
Sorry, but until Microsoft is willing to easily and simply refund the cost of the Windows that comes unwanted with my new PC.
Um why would that not be the manufactures issue ??? You didn't buy Windows directly from MS did you ? So how would they be responsible ?
There is case law that states if a bank makes an error you must pay the money back unless it made a significant difference in your life/paying back would cause undue hardship.. So if you make $50k a year and the bank made an error giving you $250k and you spent it well they are SOL . I also believe they have to demand the money back under 90 days .
oh in most states , in order for MS to get the money back they would have to sue. Thats could cost them more money than its worth .
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