Work situation WWYD

I'm mortified to even have to write this but basically I made a mistake at work. I missed a deadline for a final payment and our deposit is non-refundable and can't be applied to future travel.

I was out of the office yesterday and normally I check emails and I did not because I made a conscious effort to unplug while I was with my daughter. I basically missed their final notice email warning.

I was able to at least get our seating back at the same price but the deposit is lost. $450! They were absolutely unwilling to budge.

I called our business director and apologized profusely and took full responsibility. I said that the amount can be deducted from my next paycheck. I really feel terrible and am the type to take mistakes to heart. Like I said, I am mortified.

She was super nice and understanding and said it wasn't necessary to pay and we can take it as a lesson learned. She reiterated that I do my job very well and everyone's made mistakes here etc. I've been here 3 years and it's my first mistake that would cost money FYI. Anyway, I sort of insisted on paying and she said we can revisit next week and see how I feel.

So, WWYD next week if you were in my shoes? We are expecting a baby in three months and I have been slowly saving to cover my leave. This is a good amount of money that would hurt us but not something we can't eventually bounce back from. I feel like Id be a hypocrite if I say "okay, I'll just take the lesson" after I was so insistent on paying for it. My husband thinks I am being too hard on myself and should take the out since she was equally insistent that it was a one time error. Help!!

Re: Work situation WWYD

I agree with your husband.

And FTR I never would've offered to pay. I would've waited to see how they wanted to handle it.

Don't beat yourself up.

Work situation WWYD

Don't be so hard on yourself. Mistakes happen.

I would just let it go.

Re: Work situation WWYD

first of all. everyone makes mistakes and don't be so hard on yourself.

I don't know what the "right" thing to do is. But I would probably wait and see how the issue is "revisited" next week. if your superior specifically brings up the fact that you insisted on paying it back I'd bite the bullet and pay it back. but if they don't raise the issue again I'd probably let it slide. you obviously showed how sorry you are and you're not someone who makes mistakes willy nilly without taking responsibility.

I really think you've done everything right so far to rectify your mistake and you can let it go without paying it back.

Work situation WWYD

You're being way hard on yourself. Mistakes happen

Re: Work situation WWYD

I'm a manager and sometimes even my best people make mistakes. It happens- but you really do learn from it. I would NEVER want my staff member to take a hit of $450 expense. I would go in with a sorry, I learned and an action plan of how it can be avoided in the future.

so yes, you are being too hard on yourself

Work situation WWYD

I know you offered to reimburse the company (and it was a very nice thing for you to do, but really unnecessary), but legally, I don't think the company could ever force you to pay it back, if you hadn't offered. You are being very hard on yourself. Mistakes happen in business all the time (not that that makes it better), but businesses know that it is part of the cost of doing business. Don't be so hard on yourself. Next week, (if the business director even brings it up again), just say you are very sorry and do not bring up reimbursement again. Hopefully it will just be dropped. It sounds like you are a very good and conscientious employee and this will all soon be forgotten

Work situation WWYD

I agree with everyone else. you are definitely being too hard on yourself... I've made $1K's of a mistake before (working in a hearing aid office and there was a warranty issue), as did the audiologist I was working with. You live you learn.

Re: Work situation WWYD

People at work lose money for the company in different ways. This one was just a more direct obvious way. If someone blew an easy sale they wouldn't be expected to pay back, kwim? Just one example, but you could think of a million. Unless you are now specifically asked to pay it back, I would let it go.

Message edited 3/18/2015 3:36:56 PM.

Re: Work situation WWYD

I would say lesson learned. Don't pay them back. Mistakes happen. My coworker is still around and he made a 13K mistake!

Re: Work situation WWYD

I know im hugely pregnant and hormonal but your kind replies seriously made me cry like a baby.

Thank you pp for also offering a mangers perspective!

Work situation WWYD

Your boss is TELLING you "Its ok".

Its ok. Your being to hard. Its admirable that you took ownership and I bet they see that too.

Lesson learned. KEEP your money. They don't want it and told you as much.

Re: Work situation WWYD

It happens! Everyone makes mistakes.

$450 to you is not the same as $450 to the company.

You are very nice to even offer and that goes a long way in your bosses eyes I am sure!
Don't sweat it - don't insist on making the payment.

Re: Work situation WWYD

So if she doesn't bring it up next week, should I broach the subject?

Re: Work situation WWYD

You owned up to your honest mistake, you didn't try to hide it or throw it on someone else. Don't be so hard on yourself. It was nice of you to offer to pay for it, and it does show how honest and remorseful you are and how serious you are about your job - but you really didn't need to and I wouldn't press it. When/if the director revisits next week, don't mention you want to pay them back again. Wait and see what she says first. Move forward with a plan to avoid it from happening again in the future. Everyone makes mistakes, even the best of employees.

Re: Work situation WWYD

Message edited 3/18/2015 3:46:25 PM.

Re: Work situation WWYD

Don't be too hard on yourself. Mistakes happen and companies usually 'budget' in for that. My accounting department as an "agent error" account that something like this would go in.

I wouldn't bring it up again unless your boss does. You kindly offered, she said not necessary... just leave it at that.

Re: Work situation WWYD

Re: Work situation WWYD

No, please try to forget about it! You should not pay. Worked in finance and people make mistakes sometimes costing many many zero's. It's a job, everyone messes up

Re: Work situation WWYD

Re: Work situation WWYD

No one is perfect. Shit happens ALL THE TIME. Do not beat yourself up over this one mistake. Dont pay them back

Re: Work situation WWYD

Re: Work situation WWYD

Is this a travel agency or something? If you are a client with an account, I would definitely try to get that deposit back. Squeaky wheel gets the grease

Re: Work situation WWYD

Let this go. Everyone makes mistakes. You didn't do this intentionally. Honestly I think it is a good sign of maturity and development to take responsibility and bounce back from the set back.

Think about the bigger picture, this isn't that big of a deal. Let yourself learn and focus on not repeating the mistake. Continuing to feel guilty, beat yourself up or otherwise focus on the negativity is energy better spent on moving forward.

I never would have offered to pay either. In my opinion that would be ridiculous of a company to ask. Legally they can't take this money out of your paycheck. You could write them a personal check but again I think that is crazy. Honest mistakes and human error are a reasonable cost of doing business.

Hang in there

Re: Work situation WWYD