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.
Sean Bailey is the founder and chief executive officer of Performance Mapping Inc., a company focused on improving the performance of accounting firms through delivery centers and cutting-edge technology solutions. He has over 25 years of experience as a partner in a Big Four Firm including a role as an international leader of a delivery center and business transformation leader. Reach him at seanbailey@performancemapping.ca or (647) 649-8227.
Jane J. Wang is the CEO & co-founder of Optimity, an insurtech firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With nearly 20 years of combined experience in healthcare and technology, Jane believes success begins with being a good communicator and a better listener.
Rupak Ghose is chief operating officer of Galytix.
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:
