When Employee Expense Report Requests Go Bad

When Employee Expense Report Requests Go Bad

When Employee Expense Report Requests Go Bad

These outlandish - and sometimes funny - examples of expense report items actually submitted by workers shed light on what can be a serious problem for businesses.

Judgment Issues

Nearly one-quarter of CFOs said they've seen inappropriate expense report requests increase over the past three years, compared to just 11% who said such requests are on the decline.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Auto Zone

Some employees have attempted to expense personal vehicle payments or repairs - and one form was submitted to get reimbursed entirely for a new car.

Outrageous Expense Reports: ‘Are You Entertained?'

Workers have tried to get comped for flat-screen TVs, and others have asked their company to pay for their dance classes.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Animal Kingdom

CFOs have actually seen the following show up on reimbursement submissions: “doggie day spa” costs and taxidermy charges.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Financial Burden

Some staffers have used reimbursement forms to attempt to get a loan approved, and some have used these forms to try to pay their rent.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Got a Beef?

One employee literally bought half a cow and asked his company to pay for it.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Double Dipping

Another listed this as an expense item: A colleague's salary.

Outrageous Expense Reports: Nominal Charge

A worker actually submitted a form to get reimbursed for a parking meter charge - totaling ten cents.

Best Practices: Establish a Formal Policy

Until you specify what's acceptable and what's not in writing, some staffers will attempt to take advantage of the lack of guidelines.

Best Practices: Encourage Employees to Ask

Cultivate an environment in which your employees feel free to ask about questionable items before filling out the form.

Best Practices: Apply the ‘Grandma' Test

Advise team members to ask this question before requesting compensation for anything that's a bit fishy: “Would you submit this report to your grandma?”