Employees working from home during the coronavirus pandemic claimed some outlandish expenses this year, including pricey exercise bikes, facelifts and private jets.
Emburse, an expense management software company, released a compilation Wednesday of some of the craziest expenses it has seen claimed this year, some of which were actually approved. That included $1,895, which was approved as a contribution for an employee's Peloton Bike under the explanation of “for health and wellness.” On the other hand, a $7,600 expense claim for a facelift was submitted under the category of “repairs and maintenance” but was rejected, despite the pressing need to look one’s best during a Zoom meeting.
Myung-Hwa Calais is transport market director at FIME.
Michael Bilski is CEO of North American Banking Company.
Michael Costonis is the global insurance practice lead for Accenture, helping P&C and life clients chart a course through digital disruption and capitalize on the opportunities of a rapidly changing marketplace. With more than 25 years of experience in insurance, Michael has helped shape the future for some of the world’s most successful companies: developing strategies, managing technology transformations and navigating business process change. In his career with Accenture, he has worked with more than 50 leading insurers in 18 countries.
Some expenses weren’t for working from home, but more about getting out of the house safely. An expense claim for a private jet charter costing over $20,000 was submitted and approved under the explanation of “required to limit COVID exposure for international shoots.” Another travel-related expense claim was $2,500 for a helicopter ride, which was not approved.
The $79 expense claim for a dog crate could perhaps be used for travel at some point when that's safer, but in these times it was more plausibly to provide "crate training [for] a new COVID puppy to not run into Zoom meetings."
Below is an infographic produced by Emburse showing this and several other head-scratching claims:
