Microsoft: Laid-off can keep extra pay after all

Microsoft: Laid-off can keep extra pay after all

news.moneycentral.msn.com

SEATTLE (AP) - A few weeks after launching the first wide-scale layoffs in its history, Microsoft Corp. admits it screwed up a key part of the plan. First Microsoft realized that an administrative glitch caused it to pay more severance than intended to some laid-off employees. The company's response: It asked the ex-workers for the money back.

But when one of Microsoft's letters seeking repayment surfaced on the Web on Saturday, the situation turned embarrassing. On Monday, the company reversed course and said the laid-off workers could keep the extra payouts.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Well, at least this story has a happy ending, especially when you read the part of the article that says most of the checks were off by about $4,000 to $5,000. Good to see that at least Microsoft knows how to do the right thing. I wonder if other companies in the same situation would have done the same or would have continued twisting these ex-employees' arms for that money?

news.moneycentral.msn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

i say that the other employees who didnt get the extra money, complain that they should get it too now.

Yeah Microsoft...but what of the HUGE mistake they made? It is all good and well that those people get to keep the $$, but the mistake itself represents the carelessness of corp America. When I write a check I make sure that 1)it can be cashed, and 2)it is for the right amount. This was totally irresponsible, and reflects the bigger problem.

but if you pay too much, you get a refund

sooooo.......... shouldnt they?

i guess the people got to keep the money just like the adoptive parents got to keep the kids that were wrongfully taken from the parents..


even tho the parents love those kids. the new parents think they smell like MONEY

it is their software, their mistake.

They probably already fired the guy who wrote it.

These peeps must be grateful to the one who published that letter.

The point I am making is that they are going to have to learn to be more responsible...You lost me on the stolen/adopted baby thing, I don't get it at all.

Originally posted by Torsion girl
Yeah Microsoft...but what of the HUGE mistake they made? It is all good and well that those people get to keep the $$, but the mistake itself represents the carelessness of corp America. When I write a check I make sure that 1)it can be cashed, and 2)it is for the right amount. This was totally irresponsible, and reflects the bigger problem.

When you write A check - We're talking about a corporation with a department that normally manages checks for thousands of people on a regular basis. If you've never made a mistake writing a check out of your banking account ever in your life then you're justified in your criticism. However, you're a very unique individual. Mistakes happen. That's human nature and it's unavoidable. It's how you make up for those mistakes that defines you, especially in times like these.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

is what i was referring to.

kids = money.... (i know this sounds terrible)
old parents = microsoft
new parents = people who got microsofts money

kinda bad reference.

i think microsoft should give everyone a check for having to deal with BSOD (blue screen of death)

reply to post by sos37


Of course human error is unavoidable, but we are talking about a corporate GIANT here, and errors like this are reflective of the bigger problem. I really like your sentiment relating to how we handle mistakes...that is definetly a way we define ourselves.

reply to post by mahtoosacks



lol, as a former sysadmin I would be a very rich cat

edit to add;

Back in the days I have seen so many blue screens of death that even my eyes turned blue

[edit on 24-2-2009 by Grey Magic]

The "right" thing to do would have been to give the money back. If you didn't earn it and the mistake was an honest one, the over paid money belongs to Microsoft.

I understand why Microsoft let them keep the money. I understand why people kept the over payment. But again, the moral thing would have been to return the money.

Just my two cents.