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.
Alex Loewenstein is the general manager of Paro for CPA Firms at Paro.
Shaun Spearmon helps clients successfully transform their organizations and accelerate the implementation of their most strategic objectives. For more than 15 years he has led strategic planning, process improvement and change management initiatives with clients across industries, including technology, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, retail and financial services. Most recently he developed and led the change management and communication strategy for Global Store Development at Starbucks. Shaun is a firm believer in the power of servant leadership and its ability to create excellence in individuals and produce extraordinary results for organizations. He earned his MBA from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business where he pursued dual concentrations in Strategy and Organizational Development and holds a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College. Shaun is based out of Seattle, WA.
Deb Seidman has over 25 years' experience working to enhance the effectiveness of leaders and their organizations, enabling them to execute their business strategy. She has worked with clients across a range of industries including financial services, pharmaceuticals, technology, government, and non-profit. Throughout her career, both in corporate operating roles and as an external consultant and coach, she has partnered with clients to gain insight into business challenges and opportunities, foster collaboration within and between teams, and facilitate organizational transformation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Master of Arts degree in Politics from New York University. She is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator. Deb lives in New York City where she can be found at her printmaking workshop creating lithographs and woodcut prints.
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:
