We all know people who expense things that are questionable. A “business trip” to the beach, a dinner out with friends, office supplies for the kids’ school projects. But there are people out there whose expense claims get a lot more creative than that.
Bloomberg Businessweek just published a list of the top 10 craziest things employees tried to expense last year:
- Goat. Why would employees at an energy supply firm need a goat? Yeah, we’re asking ourselves the same thing.
- Body oil. Apparently someone is the retail industry moonlights as a bodybuilder.
- Deer urine. The employee of an agricultural products company explained that it was part of their successful hunting trip with a client.
- Baby giraffe. Doesn’t everyone need a baby giraffe for the office party?
- Live baby octopuses. The pharmaceutical company employee responsible for this one claimed that a Japanese visitor wanted sushi.
- Dunk tank. An auto parts supplier claimed they needed it to boost morale.
- Pink flamingo lawn ornaments. You read that right. The employee of a medical device manufacturer needed four.
- Laser tattoo removal. Submitted by an IT industry worker who noted on the expense form that the reason was to ”appear more professional to clients.”
- $1,300 for Henry IV Cognac. This one was from a financial services company employee.
- A trip for a job interview. Really? Yes, really. The person hated his telecom/ISP job and figured his company should pay the cost for seeking a new employer.