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.
Koonce is the Chief Claims Officer, for Sedgwick. In this role, Koonce is responsible for product development and innovation, industry analysis and thought leadership, best practices and compliance standards, legislative and regulatory relationships, and continued involvement in client programs for Sedgwick's lines of business.
Prior to his current role, Koonce was the Managing Director responsible for Sedgwick's casualty retail business unit in which he oversaw program results and service execution across the company's retail customer base. This included use of innovation and technology to improve client outcomes and customer experience.
Prior to joining Sedgwick, Koonce was senior director of risk management for Walmart Stores, Inc., the nation's largest private sector employer. In this role, he managed the retailer's domestic property and casualty claims program. He simultaneously served as president of Claims Management, Inc., Walmart's wholly owned third party administrator.
David Schwartz is the president and CEO of the Financial International Business
Association, or FIBA, where he promotes growth and advancement in international
banking and finance through education, advocacy and networking. With extensive
experience in international banking and compliance, David has held leadership roles at
institutions like Regions Financial Corporation and Banque Sudameris. Fluent in
multiple languages, he holds a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School and a black
belt in Shuri-Ryu Karate. He also serves on various community boards and actively
contributes to educational and health organizations in South Florida.
Matt Gilbert is VP, employer brand strategy at Appcast, the leading recruitment marketing platform powered by programmatic. With nearly 20 years of industry experience in employer brand, EVP and recruitment marketing. Matt is a recognized thought leader, industry speaker, and innovator, having developed and activated over 350 employer brand programs since entering the field. He and his teams have earned numerous industry awards in employer branding and other B2C areas. Matt is a sought-after employer brand expert and has worked with numerous notable organizations in employer brand such as Expedia Group, Disney Cruise Line, PepsiCo, Nike, Tyson Foods, Carmax, Pfizer, Aramco, Lockheed Martin, HCA, Conagra, Gallo Winery, Hanes Brands, American Red Cross, the ASPCA, Condé Nast, Amtrak, JPMorganChase, PayPal and more.
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:
