Microsoft should have used a calculator to factor the correct severance pay outs, but instead they used an abacus which they didn’t know how to operate apparently.

As the company was handing out pink slips to some 1,400 employees last month, the accounting department miscalculated severance packages. It turns out that the company overpaid these former workers and, now that the error has been discovered, Microsoft wants its money back.

The copy of the letter floating around the Internet has the names and dollar amounts blacked out so it’s hard to say if the payback amount is $10, $100, $1,000 or more. And we also don’t know if all 1,400 laid-off workers were affected.

Copy of the letter at TechCrunch here.

Why would anyone who just got the boot give back money to Microsoft? You can bet I wouldn’t!

In a recent poll, 72% said they would not give the money back, 20% would, and I like to know who that 20% are. The remaining 7% couldn’t decide.

Talk about adding insult to injury. I think Microsoft should just write it off, Uncle Sam will not mind that at all.