Mom Shares Stress As Employer Asks Her To Pay Back 'Overpaid' Wages of $550

A woman has prompted discussion online after she was told to return overpaid wages after leaving a job.

On Monday, Mumsnet user Honeybear58 shared her story asking for advice and has since received over 300 replies.

The now-viral post explained: "I left my previous job over a month ago, I gave in my notice during August. As I worked in a school I timed the notice so I wouldn't have to return in September, but I gave my correct notice and followed the correct procedures. I was still in my probation period so it was just two weeks notice expected."

But after she left, she received an email from the school's HR department: "[They said they] overpaid me my last month's wage and want it back in full or they will take me to court because I haven't worked my notice period."

She explained that she could not have worked any extra time, because the school was closed for the summer, and expressed her upset and stress at the demand for repayment.

"I'm now very worried about it going to court because I'm in severe financial difficulty right now," she said. "To the point where I haven't eaten all weekend so my children can. I can't spare a month's wage to give back to them. They won't offer a small payment play where I pay what I can afford each month either."

"Its £500 ($550) I can probably just about spare £5 a month," said the stressed mom.

As everyday items rise in cost and the threat of recession looms, it is no surprise that people are unable to find extra cash.

In September it was reported that two-thirds of employees have reduced their short and long-term savings contributions since the start of the year, with a third reporting they have reduced their 401(k) contributions as a result of financial instability in the U.S.

On Mumsnet, users rushed to offer advice. One said: "If there is an error then they should offer a payment plan, it is unreasonable not to."

While another suggested: "Ask for the breakdown, tell them you cannot afford to pay back in full and you will agree to a payment plan."

David Gottlieb, partner at leading employment litigation law firm Wigdor LLP, told Newsweek: "Generally, under federal law, there is no problem with an employer asking for a return in overpaid wages, so long as in doing so they don't violate any minimum wage or overtime laws. For example, it would be problematic for an employer to ask for an amount back that would result in a net payment below minimum wage for a pay period."

Gottlieb also says that there may be state laws to consider in a case like this: "State laws could also come into play and those can vary. Most states likely have a similar system in place to the federal law—but some states will require that any deduction from wages has an employee's written consent.

"If an employee did not consent to the deduction, the employer could argue that this isn't really a deduction as it is just a correction to an overpayment, so it doesn't require any consent."

Newsweek was not able to verify the details of the case.