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.
Liisa Granfors-Hunt, director of account management for the Corporate Synergies Bethesda, Md., regional office, has more than 20 years of experience in employee benefits. She is a team leader, skilled negotiator and a market expert who is well-versed in wellness initiatives, underwriting, and regulatory compliance, including ERISA, HIPPA, COBRA and the Affordable Care Act.
Bob Gearhart Jr. is the third generation to lead DCW Group and is responsible for clients becoming employers of choice in their respective industries and geographies. DCW Group works with clients to develop a strategic plan that addresses applicant tracking, recruiting, retention, employee benefits, competitive wages, and productivity to deliver measurable, repeatable, and predictable results.
Vaughan Emery is the Founder and CEO of Atonomi.
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:
