Two new surveys out this month reveal that UK businesses are losing billions of pounds a year in false expense claims due to financial mismanagement.
Global Expense studied more than 3.5 million claims made by 60,000 UK employees between 2004 and 2006 and found that 15 percent involved items or levels not allowed under their companies' expense rules.
Meanwhile Travelodge conducted another survey which showed that 22% of workers have admitted they “regularly fiddle their company expense claims”.
Chief operating officer at Travelodge, Guy Parsons says: “… it is everyday claims that are being manipulated on a more regular basis. Extra mileage claims or the odd bottle of wine whilst entertaining can really rack up a business’ bill over the year,” he added.
Amid the claims were applications for alcohol, clothes, a Caribbean cruise and even a pregnancy test kit were among the odder ones.