What are my responsibilities if my employer continues to direct deposit my regular paycheck to my account despite the fact that I have been laid off?
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What are my responsibilities if my employer continues to direct deposit my regular paycheck to my account despite the fact that I have been laid off?
My employer laid me off and issued a final paycheck including unused vacation time. Unexpectedly, they have continued to direct deposit my regular pay, minus government taxes, each pay period for the past 6. Due to this I have so far declined unemployment benefits. I have not reported this to my employer since it has been the only way for me to pay monthly bills and my mortgage payment during my job search. What are the legalities of this are and what are my responsibilities?
Asked on June 5, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You have to return the money if the employer asks for it: if the amounts you are receiving are pay--salary or wages; i.e. they are, as you indicate, simply failing to discontinue your payroll direct deposit--but your employment has been discontinued, then you are being paid in error. Unfortunately, an error does not give a person any right to keep the money; so just as if, for example, you accidently sent two rent or mortgage checks for the same month, the landlord or bank would have to return the extra one (or at least credit it vs. your next month's payment), so, too, if you are accidentally overpaid, you have to return the money. The employer may at wiill demand it, and you'd have to return all it immediately--even if you don't have it. (In which case they'd sue you and get a judgment against you, which they could enforce in a variety of ways.)
Moreover, if you are knowingly taking money which you are aware you are not entitled to, it is not impossible that they could make out a case that you are stealing the money and press charges for one or another form of theft.
Legally therefore, your correct response is to notify them of the error and make arrangements (e.g. a payment plan) to repay it. Bear in mind that at some point, they will almost certainly discover their mistake--for example, at the end of the year, when they are reviewing and closing their books. The more money you accept, the harder it will be to repay it later.
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