What Microsoft giveth, Microsoft can taketh away.
Microsoft says some of the 1,400 employees it laid off last month accidentally got too much in their severance packages—and now it wants the money back.
“This letter is to inform you that an inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft,” reads a letter sent to an unnamed employee and posted on the TechCrunch blog. “We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any overpayment to you.”
Blacked out are the employee’s name and address and how much Microsoft says he owes. The letter bears a Microsoft letterhead and a date of February 18.
Contacted by CNet News, a Microsoft spokesman confirmed the letter was real and hinted that some other laid-off employees had been underpaid in their severance packages.
He or she declined further comment, deeming it “a private matter between the company and the affected people.”
I wonder, did the good people at Microsoft not use Microsoft Excel for their spreadsheet? I don’t know much about how Excel works, but I do know that it will calculate out columns automatically.
I won’t say more. After all, I am in the market for a new laptop and I don’t want my name added to some secret blacklist of names of people who can’t register their Microsoft products.
Just a little Internet humor Mr. Microsoft! I really do love you guys! And, I’ve only touched a Mac a couple of times! Promise!
And, oh, if you dare to comment, you do so at your own risk. The owner of this blog site takes no responsibility for the actions of any mega-giant computer company against anyone who feels the need to join in the conversation stream. Unless said mega-giant computer company would like to donate to the Heartsill laptop computer fund.
it's bad enough to be laid off/let go/terminated, but to have to pay the company that did it to you because THEY made a mistake?
ReplyDeletegeesh.
Now THAT is too funny. Yep, the good folks at MICROSOFT goofed.
ReplyDeleteAs an accountant let me say that there are things you can and do screw up from time to time. You can miscalculate depreciation, post an expense to the wrong account, yada yada. But there is one thing that you better make sure is right--payroll. If you can't do that right, there is something seriously wrong with your butt. That by the way is my PROFESSIONAL opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe disclaimer! ROFL!! You are such a goof!
ReplyDeleteKarma...obviously, you don't have a good understanding of how big business works.
ReplyDeleteJoe...way to put yourself out there professionally...I don't know much about accounting and I don't play one on TV, but from all I do know, you are correct...
ReplyDeleteWell...Heidi...thanks for gracing my blog! I think I remember some words of wisdom from a bright, young blogger who encouraged me to continue blogging for the fellowship of friends...or something along that way...maybe I can encourage you in the same way! You will be missed as you take a break!
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad on so many levels. Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteEvan's toy box is adorable!
Thanks for commenting Kath...and thanks for the kind words about Evan's toy box.
ReplyDelete