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Microsoft Asks for Cash Back From Laid-Off Workers
If you've suffered the injustice of an unexpected layoff from your employer during these tough times, then our thoughts are with you. Even those of us who haven't lost our jobs have been affected somehow, and, sadly, Microsoft is doing its best to make sure that some of its former workers are more impacted than others. The company has sent letters to numerous laid-off people, indicating that the former employees actually owe the company money and are obligated to pay it back!
Microsoft is indicating that it accidentally overpaid a number of workers when sending them severance checks. The Redmond-based company followed up with memos indicating how much the ex-employees were overpaid and giving an address to which they can mail a check. No word on what happens if they don't pay the money back, but we doubt it's anything good. There is also no information on just how many folks received letters like this, or what the total overpayment was.
Regardless, it's a real kick in the pants for anyone still reeling from unemployment. But there is some good news. Apparently, some people were paid too little and will be getting a check. Perhaps, it all balances out. [From: CNET News]
Update: CNET is reporting that Microsoft is changing its tune and letting the workers keep the extra cash.
Related Links:
- Is Microsoft Killing Off 'Flight Simulator?'
- Microsoft Preparing for New Layoffs?
- AT&T Cutting 12,000 Jobs Due to "Economic Pressures"
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Comments
29
Subscribe to commentsaligraysmithFeb 24th 2009 6:21AM
It is not a kick in the pants. It was an error to which the only legal and equitable solution is in the return of the over-payments. No doubt the recipients knew they had been overpaid as well as those who received less knew their check was short the promise. Severance is a wonderful gift; money and benefits for which one did not work and for most of us it does not exist.
roFeb 24th 2009 6:28AM
thats disgusting - all the money micro has I would never give it back
IrishFeb 24th 2009 6:50AM
I'm with you ro. The people have been screwed enough with this economy - what more harm can come to them? A jail sit? At least they'd have room and board and 3 square meals a day for a short time. I say enough is enough with the damage that is being done to the middle class. When will it be our time?
joe tFeb 24th 2009 7:07AM
news flash AOL once a severance package is signed the company has to honer it. its the law and sorry for the miss spelling but i just woke up. so people keep the money its yours
ColoradoFeb 24th 2009 7:22AM
I was laid off from a major bank in January. They also screwed up my first severance check. I notified them as I didn't have any paperwork to check back to. It took them another 10 days to notify me. The letter was curt and to the point, payback or else. Nice news after a 30 year career with the same bank. I felt like it was a slap in the face, especially since I had already contacted them the day after it happened.
I read all this stuff about how not to get laid off, be willing to do anything, work extra hours, etc. I can tell you that none of it makes a difference. When your number is up it is up. All that extra stuff you did just makes you more bitter in the end......
ChristineMar 15th 2009 10:06AM
I had the same experience with another company. I immediatly notified them of thier error on a double payment they made to me as a severence. I received a phone call and a letter telling me that no they were right, and that the money is mine. 60 days later I was demanded to pay back the money that they overpaid me. They found their error and that I wrongfully kept the money knowing full well that they overpaid me. Talk about a kick in the teeth.
SusanFeb 24th 2009 8:00AM
Things are bad enough they have to make it wrost., Maybe some should send a bill to Bill Gates
GeneFeb 24th 2009 8:12AM
Anyone dumb enough to send money back to Micrsoft does not deserve to be employed in the first place!
wayneFeb 24th 2009 8:20AM
I find it hard to think that a Company could something like that. Our country is no longer what it use to be.
KristianFeb 24th 2009 8:26AM
What can they actually do? Take it out of their next check? Depending on the amount I'd probably keep it and tell MS to screw themselves. If the costs of taking me to court are higher than the costs of letting me keep it, they won't do jack except issue threats.
I wouldn't think there's anything criminal involved but if anyone knows differently then let's hear it.
JEANNIEFeb 24th 2009 8:41AM
SURELY THIS IS THE JOKE OF THE YEAR REPAY SUCH GREEDY HOGS AS THESE? NEVER ! HAVE THESE CROOKS NOT HEARD THAT PEOPLE ARE STARVING AND FREEZING TO DEATH AND IN PAIN BY DOING WITHOUT? NO ONE OWES THESE GREEDY HOGS ONE RED CENT. THEY HAVE TAKEN OR STOLEN FROM PEOPLE FOR YEARS NOW, AND YET THEY CLAIM THE PEOPLE OWES THEM? HEY, MICROSOFT, YOU HAVE HELD "THE PEOPLE HOSTAGE" SINCE YOUR PREMATURE BEGINNING. NO WAY DOES ANY ONE OWE YOU PERIOD!
nickFeb 24th 2009 8:31AM
You got to be kidding me, with Gates and his wife setting in the big house on the hill with billions and the company with billions of cash trying to screw the folks they let go, give me a break, open up the wallett Gates and give each of them a million dollars, you gave enough through the back door to the Obama boy.
DaleFeb 24th 2009 9:26AM
Yeah, Microsoft is really hurting, They sell a product that MUST be updated, make billions in profits, then go after a few bucks because "THEIR" software screws up and they over pay people... Serves them right. Microsoft should be giving their new operating system away as previous sold versions (Windows Millemium, Windows ME and Vista) didn't work right and had severe security issues.... Way to Go Bill, you are really pushing people to start buying Mac's !
AliFeb 24th 2009 8:49AM
Seems to me that if Microsoft made a mistake they should be responsible enough to admit it and not ask for any money back. A billion dollar industry like that? What a fricken nerve. The individuals who made the mistake in the first place should be responsible for repaying the money. If you work in a bank or grocery store or other place that money is handled, you make a mistake and you are responsible. Good God. I wouldn't send them a FU letter (especially if I wanted a letter of recommendation for my next job) but I wouldn't return a cent. Screw them. Tell Gates to sell his house and put the money back into Microsoft. What a joke - send money back. Pffttt.
SkizzyFeb 24th 2009 8:50AM
What a piece of crap Microsoft is. Not only does Bill Gates give away billions to people in countries other than America, while ignoring his own countrymen whose purchases made him what he is, he continues to try and bring more foreign workers into this country to replace these people he is laying off with cheap H1-B workers. Just disguisting.
JAUNVIVAMEXICOFeb 24th 2009 11:48AM
SUE ME
LiLiFeb 24th 2009 9:06AM
Outrageous! Just let them keep the money, I am sure that Microsoft can spare it. You took their jobs already, don't rub salt in that fresh wound!
DeweyFeb 24th 2009 9:06AM
My brother received a weekly check that was too high (not enough taxes taken out) and he knew it. He cashed it and took the chance that it wouldn't get caught. It did!! He HAD to pay it back. Mt bank placed someone else's payroll check into my account one day (over $400.00). I knew it wasn't mine and I DIDN'T spend it. I would have had to give it back because it wasn't my money!! This is no different. Just because people are haveing hard times (including myself) doesn't mean that it right to take stuff that doesn't belong to you!! "A man's character is not measured when times are the best, but measured when times are the hardest"
JudyFeb 24th 2009 9:48AM
Finally someone who gets it. Situational ethics don't work. If a person is not willing to stand on what is right, they will fall for whatever scam or scheme comes along. I may not be rich, but I stand for what is right. I do not take a dishonest penny, let alone a dishonest dollar, and work hard for everything I have. I may not have the nice things that so many people will sell their soul for, but I am also not one who is facing a foreclosure, a layoff, or any other hits from this economy. Isn't that amazing.
BobFeb 24th 2009 9:23AM
What microsoft and most others in business fail to recall is, these people made them what they are today.It was their labor that made their profits for them.This is one hell of a way to say thanks for all your efforts.The greed of American business is destroying this country.The stimulas package will help the greedy bastards be even more greedy.We need to go back to public hangings.