Redundancy Overpayment

A question about : Redundancy Overpayment

Hi

Just looking for peoples opinions here.

I was made redundant at the end of last month from a public sector role after 16 years service. My redundancy package totaled 22k.

For some reason, no doubt a clerical error, I was paid twice - therefore received two payments via BACS of 22k, total of 44k. This was not the bank's error, as I received two invoices from the organisation, so its clearly a mistake on their part.

I am now off the payroll, and have no contractual obligations to said organisation.

If these people do make claim on the money (and I'm assuming they will), how likely would it be for them to pursue it (i.e. would it cost them more in legal fees to pursue it than what they would get back from me and therefore potentially put them off), and indeed if they did pursue would the worst that could happen to me be a CCJ? Bearing in mind I already have a mortgage and credit cards, I'm not sure the the effect of being credit blacklisted would be worse than having an extra 22k cash in hand.

Lastly I did have a serious issue with the way I was treated by the organisation in question particularly towards the end - so any moral arguments being made to me will fall on deaf ears - I'm looking purely to protect myself legally and financially and would be quite happy to keep the money!

Thanks

Best answers:

• They will pursue it, it is Ј22K
  You owe it, unquestionably, so if you don't pay it back, or are unable to pay it back, then yes you can expect a CCJ when the time comes.
  You will also need a reference from these people, I presume.
• Hello,
  I am guessing that they could involve the Police for theft, or even sue you for the sum of money?
  For what it's worth, I don't think that you got a terrific settlement after 16 years of service. I am public sector worker and was only offered 16k after 10 years service which I turned down, as I would have got limited maternity pay and would have had great difficulty in finding another job whilst pregnant!
  So much for us public sector workers get massive payouts! You only need to look around on this board to see that some in the private sector are getting very nice redundancy payouts!
  Quote:
• I'd take Ј22K and the pension from the public sector any day of the week!
• Let us know how you get on.
• lol, I can't believe you're even thinking of keeping it tbh.
• Milkshock,
  I'm not sure if this is a criminal matter or not? After all if the sum of money is not paid back, then there there does appear to be an intention to 'permanently deprive'.
  Quote:
• I just wonder at the wastage in the public sector sometimes. Grr.
• Then I wish I could share my pension statement with you! You might just get a shock
  Personally I am fed up with all the public sector worker slating that goes on in these forums. All I ever did was apply for a job that was advertised. We did not cause the mess that the country is in today. Blame the governments!
  Quote:
• companies will not hesistate to throw people on the scrap heap
  we are just numbers to them - dont ask me to treat this overpayment as anything but a figure, i cant get emotional about it.
• You would have more of a shock if you looked at many private sector pensions, of that I am certain, however that is not the point of this thread, which is about whether the OP will get away with permanently depriving his ex employer and public sector organisation of a significant sum of money.
• Shift it sideways into the highest interest account you can find, wait for them to contact you and when they do give it back minus the interest. They made the mistake not you.
  Inactivity is not theft.
• What about the income tax implications? Isn't only the first Ј30K tax free?
• changing my address seems to be a good play - they cant contact me through the bank can they?
• granted i wouldn't be busting a gut to tell anyone or in any insane rush to pay it back, but ultimately you do have to treat this as someone else's money and pay it back.
  regardless of the exact law of the land its not yours and you know that, at some point (I assume) your previous employers will know that.
  stick it in the highest rate account you can find for as long as you can, but setting out to keep it long term is a real scumbag play.