3 years ago, I had the last business trip before I left my company. When I came back, I submitted all the bills to be reimbursed for the actual cost of the expenses incurred. Afterwards, I left for another firm and have all forgotten about the trip.
But now a friend of mine, from the finance department of my old company, wrote to me that the department can't find the receipts to justify my expenses claim. So they asked me to give an explanation, implying that if it is not satisfactory, I will have to pay back.
I feel outrageous. I've given all the receipts, and my claim was authorized, but now they want me to explain again, supposedly because somehow they've lost the documents.
On the other hand, my old friend at the finance department will be scolded if she can't ''find the money''. And if I want, I can pay back since the amount is rather small.
I have some kind of dilemma here. What do you think i should do?
2006-12-21 02:18:08 · 14 answers · asked by lankhai2006 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If it's authorised and paid then it's case closed - any checking should have been done beforehand, and before you left. Also, they shouldn't be able to punish your friend either, unless they have reason to believe that the two of you colluded to defraud them.
2006-12-21 02:21:19 · answer #1 · answered by gvih2g2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember to always leave a good impression, you just never know who in that company you might meet up with in the future.
Look around and see if you can locate copies of the bills, ie. through bank statements, or perhaps provide letters.
Retain your dignity and professionalism in the face of a company that is hoping you will go away.
Treat your friend as a collegue, because she has a job to do and needs to respect that she has an obligation to find the reciepts or at least admit she saw them and now has lost them.[if she is a true friend she will take responsibility for this and value your firendship, if she doesn't then she is not a good friend.]
Keep focused on what is important here. You were acting on good faith, professionally representing their organization and using your credit on the faith that you would be reinbursed.
They should do so, but the lesson here is that you made an error by not keeping copies.
I am sure you can hunt down the proof, at least some of it, and obviously they are aware that you went on the trip. So in the future always keep copies, and follow through until you get the reinbursement, or decide to walk away.
Your time and energy might be better spent elsewhere at the end of the day. You can only do your best so good luck!
2006-12-21 03:36:33 · answer #2 · answered by northstar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on whether or not you want your friend to be on the receiving end of the deal. You could pay the money, but it was a justified expense so you should not be held accountable. And since the receipts were lost by them....... But it's really a moral question. One that cannot be made for you I'm afraid. Good luck with your dilemma.
2006-12-21 02:25:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any outstanding matters (such as expenses) should have been resolved at the exit meeting, which is the closure point between the employer and the departing employee. So there is no obligation on you to respond.
Also, they must have had proof at time of payment, else they would not have reimbursed you at that time. I would write back an answer along these lines, letting them know that the matter is closed, if it helps your friend. Otherwise, I would just ignore the correspondence.
2006-12-21 09:08:30 · answer #4 · answered by mnaagar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you already know, that feels like an dazzling thought. consistent with risk then we are able to start up working smoother in our lives. Then probable we would be nearer to having a non violent usa. They should not be making that type of money anyhow. in the event that they have been to make in basic terms $80,000 a 300 and sixty 5 days, thats stable for somebody with a school degree. Our Illinois Gov. makes an superb quantity from what I understand. yet whilst Illinois is hurting, he won't take a pay decrease because of the fact he has to save to deliver his baby to college. hi, has every person observed that he nevertheless lives in Chicago and flies to Springfield very very nearly on a daily basis. How lots Jet gasoline is that anyhow. i think that in case you run for place of work and get it, you will desire to would desire to stay in that city for that factor era. i'm Sorry, i think of I have been given off beam consisting of your question, LOL. i'd desire to have had to vent.
2016-12-15 05:33:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other answers if everything was not in order you would not have been paid in the first place. It is their fault the receipts have been lost not yours. Your friend needs to stand up and tell them they paid you so things were in order and she does not know what happened to the receipts. I don't see how they can be mad at her when everything was done according to procedures. And if you just want to stop the hassle and it is not that much money just pay it back.
2006-12-21 02:38:21 · answer #6 · answered by d3midway semi-retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spend $15.00 and have them served to small claims court.
If they don't show up, you win.
If they do show up, use the examples listed above.
But a nice "you are served" paper to the head of your finance department should certainly help them make up their minds if this is TRULY worth persueing.
If they believe it is, they'd have no problem bringing YOU to court.
Your "old friend" needs to deal with her own problems. Friends or not, apparently, that person didn't do a good job, and may in fact deserve a scolding.
2006-12-21 02:35:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you shouldn't and since it is only a small amount then your friend in the finance dept shouldn't be told off too badly. Make sure your explanation is thorough and hopefully they will be able to process the claim without much hassle.
2006-12-21 02:33:42 · answer #8 · answered by Chris G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard of that happening. Yes people are incompetent. Unfortunately now days in this world of incompetency you have to document everything. Make sure in the future you scan everything and file it on the computer. Also keep a paper file just in case your computer blows up. In the meantime fight it. They must have some documentation you did take the trip.
2006-12-21 02:31:52 · answer #9 · answered by Gettin_by 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surely the ethical solution is for your old friend at the finance department to stump it up personally? If it's her fault that it's gone missing, that is!
Alternatively, why not proffer your explanation and see what happens?
2006-12-21 07:40:37 · answer #10 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋