Is ordering three meals on expenses acceptable.

L

LondonKid

Member
I’ve had a set of expenses put in front of me for an American lady with quite a large appetite. Basically you’re allowed to put through an evening meal up to the value of £50.

The expenses submitted show three evening meals (for one person) on a daily basis for a value of less than £50.

I don’t want to be judgemental but the expenses state an evening meal (singular) up to £50 in value. Am I allowed to comment on quantity or is that none of my business?

I’m at a bit of a loss as to whether this is acceptable or not. I’m genuinely Interested to hear anyone else’s thoughts.
 
LondonKid said:
I’ve had a set of expenses put in front of me for an American lady with quite a large appetite. Basically you’re allowed to put through an evening meal up to the value of £50.

The expenses submitted show three evening meals (for one person) on a daily basis for a value of less than £50.

I don’t want to be judgemental but the expenses state an evening meal (singular) up to £50 in value. Am I allowed to comment on quantity or is that none of my business?

I’m at a bit of a loss as to whether this is acceptable or not. I’m genuinely Interested to hear anyone else’s thoughts.
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Depends on how hungry you are. I'd only really start to worry if they've tried to claim for a new duck island for their country mansion and the taxpayer was going to have to pay for the bloody thing.
 
If the meals are for three different days and all within the allowable limit then I would say you could approve them. You are also entitled to ask for a copy of receipts to validate the costs. She should be able to recover her costs if that is the employers policy.
If it was for three meals on the same evening then that's another matter.
PS £50 for an evening meal is quite generous
 
homesickblues said:
If the meals are for three different days and all within the allowable limit then I would say you could approve them. You are also entitled to ask for a copy of receipts to validate the costs. She should be able to recover her costs if that is the employers policy.
If it was for three meals on the same evening then that's another matter.
PS £50 for an evening meal is quite generous
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It’s all on the same date and at the same time. I don’t really want to go down the route of questing portion control but at the same time I don’t want to authorise fifteen evening meals for one person for five days.
 
LondonKid said:
It’s all on the same date and at the same time. I don’t really want to go down the route of questing portion control but at the same time I don’t want to authorise fifteen evening meals for one person for five days.
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You need to question that one mate, the policy seems to have two proviso’s, one being a singular evening meal, the second being to a maximum cost of £50, she only meets the second part.
 
You have to feel for him, don't you? 'The taxpayer'. There's only one of him and he has to foot the bill for absolutely everything the poor sod. Doesn't really seem fair.
 
LondonKid said:
I’ve had a set of expenses put in front of me for an American lady with quite a large appetite. Basically you’re allowed to put through an evening meal up to the value of £50.

The expenses submitted show three evening meals (for one person) on a daily basis for a value of less than £50.

I don’t want to be judgemental but the expenses state an evening meal (singular) up to £50 in value. Am I allowed to comment on quantity or is that none of my business?

I’m at a bit of a loss as to whether this is acceptable or not. I’m genuinely Interested to hear anyone else’s thoughts.
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You must have the receipts for the meals. What did she eat on a night to make up the 3 meals, was it stuff from 3 separate establishments e.g a tour of fast food outlets ? I need answers :)
For an actual answer to your question you'd better go to your line manager or HR dept.
 
the_holgate_roof said:
You need to question that one mate, the policy seems to have two proviso’s, one being a singular evening meal, the second being to a maximum cost of £50, she only meets the second part.
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Yeah, I expected that would be the case. I just feel really uncomfortable questioning someone’s portion control
 
Are you sure it’s for three main meals and not just a three course dinner that’s been put on the bill differently?

three main courses under £50 seems very good value for a pub/restaurant
 
Americans are used to large portions in their country! She is taking the Michael. If your terms of condition says one meal that is what it should be.Expenses are the bane of a lot of companies- where I work two have had their company credit cards cancelled
 
Could she be ordering 3 x smaller dishes off the menu tapas style? A lot of variants to this so you are probably going to have to speak to HR. Suspect it will be a can of worms and you end up signing them off.
 
Youngie said:
Are you sure it’s for three main meals and not just a three course dinner that’s been put on the bill differently?

three main courses under £50 seems very good value for a pub/restaurant
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No, for example she bought three 12” pizzas in one sitting. If in a restaurant she kind of orders them as tapas dishes and has a bit from each plate.
All her colleagues are on the same deal so there is nobody else to buy for
 
I am right in thinking that this thread is just a **** take, aren't I? Just an excuse to lazily accuse all Americans of being greedy overweight b***ds? Always suspicious of these new posters.
 
What if it is a starter from one restaurant, main course from another and dessert from a third? Presumably that's ok if <£50.
 
bumface said:
I am right in thinking that this thread is just a **** take, aren't I? Just an excuse to lazily accuse all Americans of being greedy overweight b***ds? Always suspicious of these new posters.
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Absolutely not! Nor is it to just to cause a reaction.

We have 15 Americans on the project and 14 of them follow the rules exactly how they should be. I have been put in a position of having to accept the expenses or reject them and give my reasons for rejection. If it’s an obvious reason to reject then I’m quite happy to reject, however this is a tricky one
 
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