If you travel for work or incur other expenses while performing your job, you expect to be reimbursed for those costs. However, what happens if your employer doesn’t pay you? There are options to address it.
Work expense examples
Most employers have a reimbursement policy that outlines exactly which expenses can be reimbursed. Usually, these include travel expenses like airfare, hotel stays, transportation costs, like gasoline, tolls and mileage, as well as meals and business-related entertainment.
Some employers also offer reimbursement for training and professional development, like continuing education credits, conferences and similar events. The company may also cover office supplies, internet and phone expenses and other costs when working from home, in addition to reimbursement for purchasing work-related software or technology.
To encourage a healthy lifestyle, employees may also qualify for reimbursement for health-related expenses, like a wellness program, fitness classes or a gym membership.
It’s important to keep all receipts so you can demonstrate that these items you paid for qualify for reimbursement.
Addressing non-payment
If you request a reimbursement and your employer does not pay, it’s important to check the policy to make sure the item can be reimbursed. Depending on your relationship with your manager or the human resources department, you may choose to discuss it with them and present your receipts. It may be useful to document the discussion as well.
If the discussion is not successful, you may have an option to file a wage claim with the labor department and seek legal action against your employer.