An administrative error has become an unusual case in the Chilean courts. A worker, who should have received just over 550 euros salary, saw 172,000 euros. The worker communicated the mistake to the company, but eventually said goodbye and keep the money.
According to the Spanish noticias work portal, the episode dates back to May 2022 and involved the Industrial Food Consortium (cial), an important Chilean company. At the time, the employee contacted the company’s sub -director to warn that he had received much more than the amount due.
The unexpected amount equivalent to hundreds of times the salary that would fit this worker. Despite the initial communication, the situation quickly took an unexpected course.
Notice to change plans
According to local press, the worker has committed to return the amount and maintain only the amount corresponding to his remuneration.
However, shortly thereafter, he changed his ideas. For three days no longer attended the work and, at the end of this period, the superiors received a letter of termination, according to the same source.
In the document, signed by the employee’s lawyer, it made it clear that he chose to say goodbye and remain with the money improperly transferred.
Company response
Given the case, the company immediately advanced with actions to recover the amounts paid by mistake. Those responsible confirmed that they would explore “all available legal roads” to contest the decision and recover the amount.
The case has gained great mediation in Chile, not only for the value involved but also for the legal implications of such a rare situation.
The process has dragged on for years until it reached the decision now known.
Unexpected court decision
A Chilean court acquitted the worker, understanding that there were not enough grounds to condemn him for the succeed.
The judgment opens the door so that the employee maintains the amount received, even if the company has already announced the intention to appeal.
The decision generated public debate about the responsibilities of companies in cases of salary errors and legal limits in the recovery of funds transferred by mistake.
What if it were in Portugal?
In Portuguese territory, the situation would have another framing. According to the Civil Code, any payment made by error must be refunded, falling into the principle of unjust enrichment (article 473). Thus, even if the worker had not caused the mistake, the company would be entitled to demand the full return of the amount transferred extra.
According to, the cial has assured that it will not give up reversing the decision. Speaking to the Financiero Diario, official source stated that all possible legal measures will be used to contest the judgment.
Meanwhile, the worker remains without ties to the company and with the value in question still in his possession.
It now remains to be seen whether the higher instances will maintain or change the decision in a process that may still extend.
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