I accidentally received two salaries on my card. The next day, HR asked me to return the extra. I refused.
“It’s not my fault accounting messed up,” I said. “I already used the money.”
She called me unprofessional. I left angry and defensive.
The following morning, an email hit everyone’s inbox. Payroll had discovered a system-wide glitch. Several employees had received duplicate payments. The company apologized and explained a calm, reasonable repayment plan. No threats. No discipline. Just transparency and fairness.
Reading it, my stomach dropped.
I’d reacted out of embarrassment and frustration, not logic. Yes, it wasn’t my fault—but it also wasn’t fair to expect the company to eat the loss.
Later that day, the same HR rep stopped by my desk. No attitude. No resentment.
“Rough day yesterday, huh?” she said with a smile.
She explained the glitch affected multiple departments and leadership wanted to handle it cleanly. We laughed about the chaos of the week.
By the end of the day, I agreed to a repayment plan spread over a few months.
Not because I had to.
Because it was the right thing to do.