Due to "an inadvertent administrative error," some of the 1,400 individuals Microsoft laid off recently received overpayments in their severance packages. That is, until Microsoft asked for them back.
Twenty-five of the 1,400 people let go received checks that were off about US$4,000 to $5,000. Microsoft sent out a letter to those who accidentally received the overpayment, stating: "We ask that you repay the overpayment and sincerely apologize for any overpayment to you."
Said letter ended up online, and now Microsoft has a change of heart.
Lisa Brummel, Microsoft's senior vice president for human resources, called most of the 25 employees, telling them they could keep the money. "I decided it didn't quite feel right," she said in an interview.
Good for those 25 (lucky?) individuals. Bad for the other 1,375.
Microsoft Lets Fired, Overpaid Employees Keep Extra Cash [FOX Thanks, EDGE*!]