This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/dablack123 on 2025-07-19 06:11:55+00:00.
A few months ago, I had to travel for work. Some cost savings measures had been implemented recently and I was required to have a funding letter from the financial department so they could allocate funds appropriately, even though my travel was authorized by my supervisor and required for the company business. Ok, I'll jump through this hoop, whatever. I get a funding letter and travel a couple hours to my home away from home.
Halfway through my trip, my work schedule opens up I have a few days off, but I know I'll be working more the following week. Since I'm only a few hours from home, I decide to check out of my hotel, drive home to spend the weekend with my family, then drive back the following week when I actually have work to do. Saves the company paying a few days for a hotel room and per diem, I get time with family; win-win right?
Wrong. When I submit my travel claim to financial, it counts as two separate trips. The problem is I have one funding letter, which covers the dates of my travel, but doesn't cover two trips, even though both trips are inside the travel window in the funding letter.
This blows up and takes about a month and a half to get sorted out, during which time I had to pay off my company credit card for the travel expenses incurred using my own funds. Eventually, the money was all properly allocated and I got reimbursed for my interest free loan to the company, but I learned my lesson.
Another trip comes up and I am issued one funding letter. I drive up again and work for a few days. Sure enough, my schedule opens up and I have some days off. This time, instead of checking out of my hotel, I just leave, drive home, and now I'm sitting on my couch typing this while the company pays my per diem and pays for an empty hotel room.
Pretty sure the bean counters will get a raise for their fine work. Cheers to them.