SA Used Company Credit Card for Personal Use but Paid Back

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Tesstess

Active Member
14 August 2015
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I recently resigned from my job as I used the company credit card about 5 times in 6 months for personal use and each month I reimbursed the company what I had used with a note. I didn't know this was not ok and thought it was within my employee rights. But after a few months, the finance department told my boss. And they sat me down and yelled at me. It made me feel so uncomfortable that I resigned. In the months I worked for them I was treated very badly anyway and this was just the last straw for me.

Looking back however at the last 6 months I'm worried there may have been one purchase I didn't pay for worth $50.

My legal question is: can they take legal action against me for this mistake, or will I be ok?

Thank you
 

Tim W

Lawyer
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28 April 2014
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Yes, they can (at least in theory).
If you are uncomfortable and uncertain, then the price of peace of mind is fifty dollars.
Write them a cheque and move on.
 
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John R

Well-Known Member
14 April 2014
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I agree with @Tim W, many organisations have clear corporate credit card use policies (that is, generally, they are to be used for business purposes only).
 

Tesstess

Active Member
14 August 2015
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Well I did give them the $50 cash. But what they failed to do was to conduct a correct induction on how they prefer staff to use the card...I feel they are in the wrong!
 

Tim W

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Tim W

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It's their card, given to you for work purposes.
No reasonable person would think that it was for personal use, without express permission.
No reasonable person would believe that a company credit card was provided to an employee
for the purpose of making unauthorised personal loans to the employee.
 

Tesstess

Active Member
14 August 2015
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Well I didn't know and I disagree. I've never been in that position before so no I didn't know. I've never been in that position before. And it wasn't done on purpose it was an accident.
 

Tim W

Lawyer
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28 April 2014
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Five times is not an accident.

Perhaps others will see it your way, but I do not.

I wish you luck in the future.