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Microsoft drops payback demand on ex-workers
reuters.com ^ | Mon Feb 23, 2009 | reuters

Posted on 02/23/2009 6:36:48 PM PST by Askwhy5times

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp has dropped an attempt to recoup some severance money from 25 recently fired workers it mistakenly overpaid.

The Redmond, Washington-based company, which announced a plan to cut up to 5,000 jobs in January, acknowledged on Sunday that it had tried to get the overpaid workers to return the extra money. But late on Monday, it reversed course.

"This was a mistake on our part," said a Microsoft spokesman

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: layoffs; microsoft; msn; severance
Glad they came to their senses.The Intellectual Redneck
1 posted on 02/23/2009 6:36:49 PM PST by Askwhy5times
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To: Askwhy5times

An honest person would of pointed it out and sent the money back.


2 posted on 02/23/2009 6:40:44 PM PST by guitarplayer1953 (Psalm 83:1-8 is on the horizon.)
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To: Askwhy5times
"This was a mistake on our part,"

That's right.
3 posted on 02/23/2009 6:43:22 PM PST by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
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To: Askwhy5times

I don’t think those employees should sit around waiting for their phones to ring when MS starts hiring again....


4 posted on 02/23/2009 6:57:00 PM PST by martinidon
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To: guitarplayer1953

They don’t say how much it was so it’s tough to know if the ex-workers would have noticed. If they were to be paid several weeks severance, then that should be pay without any deductions for health, retirement, accrued vacation,etc. In any case, the pay would be different from what the workers were accustomed to seeing on a weekly basis.


5 posted on 02/23/2009 6:57:27 PM PST by kaboom
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To: Askwhy5times

I might be going out a limb here, but I’m pretty sure the genius who wrote these letters didn’t vote for McCain.


6 posted on 02/23/2009 6:59:00 PM PST by Rome2000 (Peace is not an option)
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To: Askwhy5times

Maybe they could release an accounting patch.


7 posted on 02/23/2009 7:02:17 PM PST by DainBramage
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To: DainBramage
...announced a plan to cut up to 5,000 jobs in January

In other news, Microsoft Corp announced plans to bring on 5000 H1B visa applicants because the US labor force could not support their high tech needs. /sarc

8 posted on 02/23/2009 7:09:31 PM PST by kaboom
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To: Askwhy5times

Microsoft offered a sum for severance. The corporation makes the rules. The employees submit.

An envelope with a severance payment was handed to the employees, and they went home.

Microsoft provided the sum, the employees cashed the checks. An agreement was consummated by both parties.

The employees don’t owe anyone a dime. It’s up to Microsoft to implement the proper severance. It’s not up to the employee to correct Microsoft. And most employees are never precisely certain what the exact amount should be when they are let go.

The tax rates are sometimes different. There is generally paid leave and other compensations added in. You take a look at it, are generally surprised by the total, and you take it home.


9 posted on 02/23/2009 7:10:11 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Resolved: Gregg, McCain, Snowe, Spectre: 2010, Collins, Graham: 2014)
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To: kaboom

Take back that /s and I’m on board. You could be very close to the truth.


10 posted on 02/23/2009 7:11:33 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Resolved: Gregg, McCain, Snowe, Spectre: 2010, Collins, Graham: 2014)
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To: kaboom
I can bet that before the let go firings and such that each and everyone of them went to HR to find out how much they were getting. It is only human nature to find out so they can make plans.
11 posted on 02/23/2009 7:22:24 PM PST by guitarplayer1953 (Psalm 83:1-8 is on the horizon.)
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To: guitarplayer1953

“We’re sorry, we finally got upgraded to Vista and our HR management package doesn’t work any more. We can’t tell you.”

Microsoft has been one of the slowest adopters of Vista, strangely.


12 posted on 02/24/2009 12:48:05 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Spktyr

Was thwere a reason only 25 people got the letters when thousands got over paid?


13 posted on 02/24/2009 2:39:30 PM PST by guitarplayer1953 (Psalm 83:1-8 is on the horizon.)
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To: guitarplayer1953

Because the mail merge in Word 2007 will sometimes crash after only 25 labels/addresses/whatever have been printed. Seriously.


14 posted on 02/24/2009 7:20:11 PM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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