Work expensrs

[NB16]

I started a new job which requires travelling. I’ve claimed for my miles and lunch sometimes when I’m on business long distance. It was no issue in my last job but other people in this job don’t seem to do it as much and were quite shocked that I did. I don’t take the piss as in my last job people claimed for coffees buns as well as lunch. I’m getting worried I’m seen as unreasonable. My expenses are always approved and I’m always honest and make sure I keep receipts. I don’t go to the most expensive places. I don’t really see what the issue is if you’re allowed to. I am currently pregnant and trying to save as much as I can. It did annoy me as someone had told other people I done this abd now I’m worried I look like a tight asshole

If you’re allowed to and they’re getting approved, I see no issue. At least you now know not to tell the person who’s telling everyone else anything else, they’re clearly a gossip.

don’t worry, you’re not doing anything wrong and others might just be annoyed at themselves for not doing it, not at you for doing it.

There should be a policy explaining exactly what you can claim and when. Of course you're not supposed to be out of pocket for working but there should be clear limits on what's covered

You’re getting them approved so it’s obviously fine.
I don’t claim for everything as the process is annoying but I do work with some people who do, I don’t think they’re tight (and so what if they are, I don’t know their financial circumstances) but I do think they’re more diligent than me.
You must have a policy re expenses outlining what you’re entitled to?

I expense everything!

What would you be eating for lunch if you were in the office?

Sometimes it’s annoying to keep receipts and I forget but I’m definitely not tight but I am careful when it comes to money and always pay my bills on time and save etc. it’s just the way I am. I wouldn’t say I’m frugal but I’m not an over spender either. Our policy says you can claim for lunch when on business long distance which I’ve been doing. If im in the office or out on business close to home I obviously don’t. I’ve heard people saying they are out of of pocket 2/300 pounds and sorry but I would not be letting that go.

I either get lunch out or bring lunch in. I don’t claim for the lunch out in the office. I’m only in the office two days a week and at home or out on business rest of the time

Check your work policy, it should all be laid out. Ours are ridiculously small as haven't been adjusted since 2021 so dinner if you are away is capped at £15.

100% claim what you can - check the policy and make sure you're not missing anything!

If things are being approved then there's no worry. Don't set your stall by people who don't claim what they can - it's a business, you shouldn't be out of pocket for the work travelling.

The company isn't going to thank you for not claiming expenses so I'm not sure why it's such a badge of honour for some - it's the same where I work.

What does your policy say? If I'm travelling I can claim £5 for breakfast, £10 for lunch and £20-£30 for dinner dependent on location.

Thank you. People in my last job were actually worse tbh where one person actually claimed for their business car insurance on expenses. Obviously it did not get approved. I wouldn’t take the piss with it.

Standard practice everywhere I've worked to claim expenses

Yes people don't claim where I work either. I think people can't be bothered with the form filling required.
Our lunch budget is £5, which would be fine for a meal deal but we are in a restaurant/cafe.

If it's in policy then those who aren't claiming are idiots/martyrs - they probably complain work doesn't cover x, y, z to others. Don't discuss, carry on doing what you have been.

I claim for lunch if I work away as I take a packed lunch from home to the office. I'd probably for a coffee on the train or journey but in the office it's usually provided, if it wasn't then I would claim it back because in our office we don't have that expense.

As long as you’re being honest about what you’re claiming for, provide the evidence, and what you’re claiming is within the company policy, I don’t see any issue - and your claims are getting approved.

Personally I claim for everything when I’m working away - evening meals, lunch, mileage (if I drive), train tickets, tube tickets, even if it’s just a couple of quid.

I can’t afford not to claim so don’t really care if others can’t be bothered, it’s not a luxury that I have and I would say that if asked.
Luckily my manager wouldn’t expect us to be out of pocket.

For those pp saying they only get £10 for a meal, have you tried spending more but only claiming the £10 limit?

You could do that where I worked last.

Don't see anything wrong with it OP it company policy is that you can claim back expenses on your fuel and maintenance on your own private vehicle during business then you are perfectly right to do so why would anyone not bother doing so baffles me it's money your entitled too and shouldn't be out of pocket.

If you are allowed to claim, of course you can claim.
In my last job where I was allowed expenses, I certainly took them. However, I was absolutely meticulous with everything, I wrote travel/journeys/mileage in a diary with dates, times and miles, and I kept every single receipt for petrol, food or purchases. Always checked them and then submitted the receipts, in date order, with my claim form.

I never claimed for the odd coffee or chocolate bar, for me personally that seemed too much as they were "luxuries" (nice but not necessary to do the job). Everything else was necessary - miles, petrol, food, stayovers - and therefore stood up to scrutiny.
I felt doing everything exactly according to the policy would protect me if there was any query or (as in your case) gossip.

Stick to policy and ignore the others, they shouldn't be discussing your claims anyway. Refuse to comment if co-workers ask, it's not their business.

If anyone says anything just say why don't you claim, you should we are entitled to..will make them look a bit silly for not claiming.

If you are claiming business expenses, be aware that the car needs to be insured for business use, rather than the 'social and domestic' use.

Yes I agree. I don’t claim for the odd coffee or chocolate or whatever. Literally just for my lunch and parking ticket if I have to pay or there isn’t on street parking or parking facilities

It is :)

You should not be 'out of pocket' because you trav.on business. Just ignore completely and carry on claiming.
If it carries on you need to speak with the head of finance regarding gossiping by their staff.