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Top-level
@DocBohn @cstross Sometimes what looks like bureaucratic insanity has a reason. A friend was sent from Edinburgh to London for work. When she returned, the finance person asked about her hotel expenses. She explained she'd stayed with her parents, so it cost nothing. He made her submit a claim anyway. He explained: “If you can stay for free in London, then management will always send YOU in future. That's not fair to others. So we have to make your trip cost the same as anyone else’s.” 3 comments
@angusm @DocBohn @cstross In the early 2000s, I was sent on the first of many trips from London to a business park outside Wash. D.C. and assigned a self catering apartment. I bought breakfast foods and some basic groceries from Wholefoods on my company Amex card. Returning home, I was called to account for the 'personal shopping' I had charged to the card and, when I explained, I was told I was meant to use it to eat out at restaurants, not make healthier food for myself. 1/2 @angusm @DocBohn @cstross The same company threw a fit when, after reading the policies very carefully to make sure I wasn't breaking the rules, I later used the company car allowance (entitled the Travel Allowance) to buy a folding bike and a rail pass for my daily commute. When, again, I was called on to explain my reason (cost/health/environment), the finance person's final plea was "But...but...you're a senior manager...you HAVE to drive a car - what will others think!?" 2/2 |
Gregory's Server
@angusm Thirty-five years ago I had to spend six weeks out of town on a business trip. As it happened, I could stay with my dad, so the company incurred no hotel expenses (comparable expenses today for that city are $375-$400/night, as I found on a shorter trip a few weeks ago). But I DID have a fine Cajun meal, accompanied by three beers, every single night. I ate at the bar, so the bartenders and the owner got to know me very well. @DocBohn @cstross