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.
Mark Testa is the executive vice president of Regenexx for Business
This report analyzes how organizations are investing in direct care support and other benefits to alleviate the strain that affects caregiving employees.
Ravi has over 13 years of actuarial experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. Working in WTW's Insurance, Consulting, and Technology practice as an Associate Director, Ravi works with clients to provide industry leading insights and solutions. Throughout his tenure, he has worked as an effective leader and business partner on both the carrier and consulting side. Ravi's experience includes exposure to a vast array disciplines including analytics, ratemaking, reserving, capital management, and enterprise risk management.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ravi actively volunteers with the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Ravi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Kettering University. He is also a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
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:
