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.
Jessica Lucas Judy is director, strategic issues at the Government Accountability Office.
Mark Kingsriter is the fitness director for Wellbeats Wellness, a product of LifeSpeak Inc., the premier solution for on-demand, virtual wellness classes and programming for businesses, health plans, and other organizations. Wellbeats Wellness gives people of every age, interest, body type, and ability level the same opportunity to live a healthier life.
Rob Burgess is a 45-time award-winning journalist who has extensive experience leading newsrooms and working in television, podcasts, radio, print and online.
Most recently, he was technology reporter for Wealth Management Magazine; editor of the Wabash Plain Dealer; news editor of NUVO; managing editor of the Indiana Lawyer; and city editor, opinion page editor and Editorial Board member of the Kokomo Tribune. He was also a reporter at WFHB, the Times-Mail, The Reporter-Times, Ukiah Daily Journal and Ukiah Valley Television.
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:
