Microsoft wants refund from some laid off workers

[whopis01]

Source: cnet news

Microsoft says it made an accounting error when it laid off some employees last month and now feels the best way to correct the error is with what will likely add up to a public relations blunder.

The software giant, which recently laid off 1,400 employees, sent letters (see image below) this week to some of those former workers letting them know that their severance payouts were a bit too "generous" and respectfully requested that the former employees pay back that money, according to a report Saturday on TechCrunch.

"An inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment in severance pay by Microsoft," the letter states. "We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to you."

The letter failed to provide an explanation for the accounting error but did manage to add--with underlined emphasis--a veiled threat of monetary punishment if the money wasn't repaid, at least in the form of a tax impact.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10169119-75.html

[FreakinDJ]

1. 1-800-Your-Fucked

[nebenaube]

2. Access Error?

nailed by their own .dll hell?

[Pavulon]

3. "please make check payable to wipro"

to fund the H1B who took your job.

[rooboy]

4. I wouldn't mind getting a refund from Microsoft...

for all the times their software didn't perform as advertised. Karma's a bitch.

[davidinalameda]

5. I'd give them a big fuck you very much

[MrPerson]

6. BSOD

[47of74]

7. That's digusting

I think I'll be pitching my home use copy of Office and going with iWork '09.

[bluestateguy]

8. And if they don't?

What will MS do? Send the matter to a collection agency? Please.

[47of74]

10. Why not? If it was good enough for the scum sucking Bush administration...

[drmeow]

9. An administrative error

they must have been using some Microsoft accounting software!

The poll on the page doesn't give all the possible options. There should be a "No, caveat emptor" option!

on edit:

Correction - it really should be Caveat venditor.

[Downwinder]

13. But, computers are always right!

I've been told that enough times.

[Bryn]

11. Rubbing salt into the wound

isn't it? Laying off 1,400 employees is bad enough.

[madrchsod]

12. they better pay it back because.....

mircoshit`s stock will drop and billy will be upset

[HughBeaumont]

14. Why would they even go through with this?

Talk about one of your all-time PR fuck-ups.

Bill Gates has more money than God and now he's taking severance BACK from laid-off workers? The guy's a laissez-fail, job-offshoring fanatic as it is. Does he really need another reason for people to be pissed at him and his monopoly?

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. We fucked you over, paid you for it, and now want our money back???

If Microsoft thought the pople were that dumb, why did they hire them in the first palce?

[Grinchie]

22. Microsoft does not hire intelligent people.

If they were intelligent, they would know that they were getting screwed.

No, Microsft hires Smart people that have not developed the intelligence needed to see that they are getting screwed.

[myrna minx]

16. It's like looking into another dimension...

You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.

Or the ultimate Blue Screen of a slap in the face...

[rocktivity]

17. The taxes won't cost me as much as the refund.

Sorry, you'll just have take the difference out of next years' bonuses--I mean, retention awards. Or you could lay off the people who MADE the accounting error...

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[fujiyama]

18. I would tell them to go fuck themselves

My company tried doing something similar. After being told I was laid off and that the last paycheck I had received would be me final, another one had been deposited. They had 5 business days to reverse the direct deposit. They didn't do it.

They requested me to mail them back a check.

Fuck them. They aren't receiving anything from me. Though the one potential problem could be when collecting unemployment. I've signed up and will claim it soon. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

[burrowowl]

19. Do they use

Access and Excel? Serves M$ right!
And those that were underpaid should get more, Bill can afford it!

[MrsBrady]

20. you know that thing you did in high school where

you coughed and cursed at the same time????
yea...that...

*cough*bulseeet*cough*

[Grinchie]

21. We notice you have Office 2003 Professional on your computer.

We have identified a feature that we no longer wish to support, namely Microsoft Office Document Imaging and Scanning (MODI)

Please be aware that this product has been rescinded, and you will no longer be able to access your thousands of Documents you may have created with this previously supported feature.

If you would like to convert to another format, GOOD LUCK. Please email all questions to [e-mail]

Thank you for choosing Microsfot.

[and-justice-for-all]

23. Uh...tough shit microsoft..nt

[Javaman]

24. microsoft debters prison. nt

[Xenotime]

25. This is why big business should have government oversight..