Me [Intern, 21 M] with my boss [41 M], I forgot to cancel a software subscription on his credit card and he’s asking for reimbursement
A college intern (21M) shares a dilemma regarding a mistake with a software subscription on his boss’s credit card, resulting in a $600 charge. The intern failed to cancel the subscription on time, and the software company is refusing to refund the charge, offering only a credit.
The boss is insisting on a refund or reimbursement, and the intern is concerned about the financial impact on himself as well as maintaining a positive relationship with his boss, especially since he may work for him next year. Read the original story below.
‘ Me [Intern, 21 M] with my boss [41 M], I forgot to cancel a software subscription on his credit card and he’s asking for reimbursement’
Basically, I was in charge of using X software, which is a paid monthly service on his credit card. I forgot to cancel it last week, which resulted in a $600 charge on his card.
Now the software company is refusing to refund the card, and is instead offering a $600 credit on the account. I let my boss know, and his response said “So it cannot be refunded? I’d like to stress getting this refunded.
Otherwise I’ll need to be reimbursed and this is an absolute waste of money.” How do I go about this situation? I’m a college student so the $600 will obviously hit me way harder than it’ll hit him. Do I offer to pay the bill?
The other complication is that I may end up working for my boss next year (I’ve been working for him for 3 summers now, I’m currently a Senior), so I don’t want to create any hostility or tension.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
BeepBeepRichie1 − He should eat the cost or fire you, but I don’t think you should lay out of pocket for a workplace error. If I drop a cup a cup of coffee on a server at work I’ll get fired but not asked to pay for it with my credit card. “The other complication is that I may end up working for my boss next year”. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news
Cassiyus − Don’t pay this out of pocket. This is something between your boss and the software company (and maybe his bank/credit card company). Listen, admitting that you made a mistake is great. But forgetting to cancel a subscription for anything shouldn’t result in you losing $600 on something you’re not buying.
If in the worst outcome you are fired, make sure that $600 isn’t being withheld from your paycheck. You can be apologetic and even be the one to suffer through the endless phone menus to get to customer service, but don’t let your boss guilt you into giving up the money.
WildlyUninteresting − His company pays the cost and it is not the first time his company has had to *waste money*. It is software that his company is/was using for business. **He is not a good boss** if he thinks at 21 year old student can afford it. He knows you can’t and doesn’t care.
Your next year may be at risk but be honest, he isn’t a great boss anyway. There is no guarantee you will return or that this incident hasn’t already caused stress between you two. Accept this and hold your ground.
filconomics − “So it cannot be refunded? I’d like to stress getting this refunded. Otherwise I’ll need to be reimbursed and this is an absolute waste of money.” OP, could you have misunderstood?
Is it possible he meant that he’ll need to be reimbursed in a general sense – that now he’ll have to go through the procedures for reimbursement from the company, not from you directly? Also, presumably the card that’s been charged is a company card, no?
[Reddit User] − Talk to the software company again. Demand to speak their manager or someone higher in charge. Explain the situation calmly and have it refunded. If it’s still close to the beginning of the month that you got charged, they may just be able to pro-rate it.
This sounds more like a legal situation overall but you definitely are not responsible for the payments. If your boss makes you pay for it, you have a right to refuse and you shouldn’t work for anyone that unjustly takes your money away.
HansProleman − Why is he using what I assume is his personal CC for software licenses in the first place? Are you totally sure that reimbursement doesn’t mean putting in an expenses claim, rather than your paying it?
I guess you’ve learnt this lesson, but *everything* you need to remember (especially if the result of not remembering it is a $600 charge) goes into your Outlook calendar or equivalent.
IAmDotorg − Another poster nailed it on this one — you’re just misunderstanding him. He wants you to try to get a refund because he doesn’t want to expense it and waste $600. Just tell him they’re not willing to refund it. Its not on you, in any way, and 99% you can be sure he didn’t mean it the way you think he meant it.
Edit: and, I should add, from an accounting standpoint having a lingering credit like that is a giant pain in the ass. Been there, done that, with airline credits.
[Reddit User] − Well this is a s**tty situation. If it is on his card, it is his responsibility. He is being a b**tard. This may, arguably, be your fault, but it is his responsibility. You are just an intern, after all.
Whatever happens your internship relationship is now soured. If you pay, you will hate him. If you dont, he’ll be difficult to you. So if it is going to be s**t anyway, you may as well keep your money.. Go to HR, if there is one.
ZenStream − You’re an intern, why are you in charge of such a large business expense? That is something for him to deal with or his accountant. Even so you should not have to pay back the money, depending on the tax laws where you live that expense can be written off. Not 100% on that, something I’ve been told, but wouldn’t take long to Google)
[Reddit User] − You are an intern…what’s he gonna do….fire you for not giving him $600 bucks? The lesson here should be that your boss should not trust his credit card information to interns.
It’s a tricky situation when mistakes involve both personal and professional relationships. How would you handle the financial pressure of this mistake, and would you offer to pay the bill yourself? Would it be wise to navigate this with transparency and propose solutions that could keep the relationship intact? Share your thoughts below!
For those who want to read the sequel: https://aita.pics/wgNjN