In what can only be described as a payroll administrator's worst nightmare, a Chilean company made a staggering error that would lead to an extraordinary legal showdown. The firm accidentally paid one of its workers 330 times his normal monthly salary, triggering a chain of events that would test employment laws and workplace ethics.
The Moment Reality Checked In
The employee, who had been earning approximately 500,000 Chilean pesos (£440) per month, suddenly found his account flooded with 165 million pesos (£144,600). Rather than the modest sum he expected, the company's accounting department had transferred an amount that would normally take him more than 27 years to earn.
The Company's Desperate Attempt to Recover Funds
When the organisation discovered their colossal mistake, they immediately demanded the full amount returned. However, the employee had already taken decisive action - he promptly resigned from his position and refused to return the funds. What followed was a legal battle that would ultimately favour the unexpected windfall recipient.
A Landmark Legal Decision
The case reached Chile's Supreme Court, where justices delivered a surprising verdict. They ruled that the company could not recover the money because the employee had reasonably believed the payment was legitimate. The court determined he had "spent the money in good faith" and therefore wasn't obligated to return it.
The Aftermath and Precedent
This remarkable case sets a significant precedent in employment law, particularly regarding administrative errors and employee rights. The ruling highlights the complex relationship between employer responsibility and employee protection when financial mistakes occur.
The story serves as both a cautionary tale for businesses about payroll security and an intriguing example of how legal systems can sometimes side with employees in extraordinary circumstances.
