I was recently laid off but I'm still receiving paychecks

[mustnotsleepnow]

I was laid off in December. I just checked my bank account and I'm still receiving paychecks via direct deposit. Do I have to notify the company and return this money?

Thanks

 

[Proserpina]

I was laid off in December. I just checked my bank account and I'm still receiving paychecks via direct deposit. Do I have to notify the company and return this money?

Thanks

Put it this way - when the company notices (and they will), you WILL be required to repay whatever you've used once they ask for it back.

 

[mustnotsleepnow]

I don't think I received a severance package. But if I did, would it come in one lump sum or do they distribute it as normal paychecks?

 

[Proserpina]

I don't think I received a severance package. But if I did, would it come in one lump sum or do they distribute it as normal paychecks?

When you called your employer to ask this question, what did they say?

 

[cbg]

Whether severance is sent in a lump sum or by regular installments is decided by company policy, not by law. So it could be either.

You need to contact the company and let them know about this NOW. If it is severance, they will tell you and you can stop worrying about it. If it is not, you have NO legal expectation of keeping it and can expect to be asked to return it, and yes, you do have to. If the company sues you for it, and they can, they WILL win.

If they tell you that it was a mistake but that you can keep it, get that IN WRITING.