# How would you react to this Big corperate situation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743 "2012-09-25T03:12:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/21 "2012-09-25T17:11:41Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t believe in that stupid (sorry, Loach) adage: Snitches get stitches, because all too often that’s been applied to not telling things that are important. You see someone doing something criminal? Don’t give me that snitches are stitches crap. > > But in this case, I’d never say a thing, except maybe congratulate Joe (if he knew I knew). It’s not coming out of my pocket! It was a joke. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/22 "2012-09-25T17:28:34Z")
It’s up to Joe to correct the error if he desires. MYOB. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/23 "2012-09-25T18:35:28Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > The better ethical question would be, if you were Joe, would you five the money back? I’ve had an employer overpay me, and I definitely gave the money back. Companies take that sort of thing seriously, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/24 "2012-09-25T19:33:01Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It was a joke. I didn’t know that and I’m happy to hear it, especially considering your profession! 🙂 In regards to the other, I’ve also been given more money and gave it back. Not because I am such a good, wonderful person, but I know eventually, but before the end of the year, they WILL find their mistake and demand it back. Better to give it back right away. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/25 "2012-09-25T19:56:30Z")
Yeah, I’m in the same boat with most of the responders – it’s none of my business, and up tp Joe as to how to react. Now, if I’m Joe, I’d point out the mistake and offer to return the check. I don’t know about the US, but I strongly suspect that here (Israel) the result would be HR giving me _something_ but less than $500 (most likely some kind of gift certificate for a nice breakfast for two at a good restaurant, or a 4-hour spa voucher for two.) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/26 "2012-09-25T20:12:51Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > I don’t know about the US, but I strongly suspect that here (Israel) the result would be HR giving me _something_ but less than $500 (most likely some kind of gift certificate for a nice breakfast for two at a good restaurant, or a 4-hour spa voucher for two.) Not likely to have that happen here. There’s a joke buried in here as a result that I’m not brave enough to mine out and refine for public consumption. But it’s in there alright. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/27 "2012-09-30T10:57:22Z")
Not even I would tell. Not even by inaction am I doing anything wrong, and I don’t see Joe giving up the money actually helping anyone. I probably wouldn’t have thought of telling Joe (as I’d assume he’d notice a $500 bonus), but I might since you guys mention that apparently the company would be likely to actually ask for it back. (I’d be more inclined to think they’d fire the employee who made the mistake.) ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/28 "2012-09-30T11:39:41Z")
Any error is between Joe and the company. Is this based on a real life situation? ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/29 "2012-09-30T13:03:00Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t know, but I am so changing my user name to **five the momeynback**. You know, I couldn’t figure this out. So I scrolled up and noticed it was ME who gave you your new username with that typo! Give the money back. There. That’s what the butchered type should have read. I suspect, since it was glossed over, most figured it out. I must say, my iPad has the very worst auto-complete dictionary on the planet. Half of the mistakes I make I’m not even aware of. I have to find out if there is a way to Fix the auto-correct choices. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/30 "2012-10-01T13:24:07Z")
If I was close with Joe, I might say something like “Well, aren’t you the luckiest guy on the face of the earth! A $500 bonus, all because HR screwed up! Too bad you have too much integrity to actually keep it. Oh well, easy come, easy go.” I’d say it in a light-hearted way. If he keeps it, frankly it doesn’t affect me one iota. If he returns it, good on him. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/31 "2012-10-01T15:04:06Z")
Not your business. Either Joe will keep it, or return it. That’s on Joe. Don’t deny him the chance to do the right thing, on his own. If Joe keeps it, someone in accounting may figure it out. They may choose to cover it up, with nothing more than some chastising. Pointing it out, may change that outcome, in not pleasant ways, you have no way of knowing. Stay out of it. It’s not your $500. You’re not Joe. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/32 "2012-10-01T15:56:55Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Alas, yeah, I would. (I’d make the offer reluctantly, hoping to angle for sympathy…) > > Because, months later, right during Christmas shopping season, some bean-counter is going to spot the error and demand the money back, and it’ll look bad. By offering to pay it back, you show “good faith.” Also loyalty and citizenship. And sheep-like subservience; they like that. Yeah, this. I voted ‘Good for Joe!’, but if I _were_ Joe, I’d be worried that it’d be remanded right at the worst possible time. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/33 "2012-10-01T15:58:16Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > You know, I couldn’t figure this out. So I scrolled up and noticed it was ME who gave you your new username with that typo! > > Give the money back. There. That’s what the butchered type should have read. I suspect, since it was glossed over, most figured it out. > I must say, my iPad has the very worst auto-complete dictionary on the planet. Half of the mistakes I make I’m not even aware of. I have to find out if there is a way to Fix the auto-correct choices. Yeah, just turn it off. At least then you know that any mistakes are your own, and not borrowed. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/34 "2012-10-01T16:27:31Z")
> [@slaphead](#): > > They’d reverse the payment three times from two completely unrelated people’s bank accounts while putting all the funds into the wrong cost centres, and then spend three months straightening it all out. This will cost the company many thousands more than if you’d said nothing, which they would then to your department’s salaries & bens line (since you’re the one who raised the issue) and neither you or your colleagues will get a bonus this year. No good deed unpunished, etc. and it would still show on his W-2 8 months later. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/35 "2012-10-01T17:22:17Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Any error is between Joe and the company. > > Is this based on a real life situation? No. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/36 "2012-10-01T17:36:33Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Not a damn thing. > > Over a $500 check? Good on Joe. > > Also, it’s NEVER good to point out an error made by HR, even if you are right. They have access to your files and records, and vengeance will be theirs! > > Keep your head down, and stay off of HRs radar screen, especially when you are pointing out a mistake that was probably made by one of the sacred cows of HR. > > If it doesnt cost anyone on the team from collecting their full share, leave it be. > > The better ethical question would be, if you were Joe, would you five the momeynback? We’ve already covered that HR HATES employes (i.e. not our for their intrest) but if they screw you over, why wouldn’t you stand up for yourself? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/37 "2012-10-01T17:37:37Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > No snitches so far. Found 1. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/38 "2012-10-01T17:39:41Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I wouldn’t say anything, but in every single office I’ve worked in my career, there’s been at least one busybody who would delight in raising a stink about it. > > And if I got it in error, I’d return it. They’re NOT a “busybody”, they’re a person of INTEGRITY with a clear conscious! America could stand to have MORE of them, not fewer! ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743/39 "2012-10-01T17:42:51Z")
This happens quite a bit in the military (not rewarding new ideas, HAHAHAHA) when certain extra pay that’s dependent on different situations doesn’t get shut off when it should. They always take the money back and it’s rarely enjoyed by the military member when they do. Usually there’s some cry of, “It’s their mistake, I should get to keep it since it wasn’t MY mistake.” Which is, of course, bullshit. I wouldn’t tell, I don’t need to; the glitch will fix itself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-react-to-this-big-corperate-situation/635743.md?page=1)