I used my corporate card for a personal expense with every intention of paying for it personally, which I did. But when the company noticed the charge, and I explained I already paid AmEx directly and never filed it on my expense report, they said if I ever did that again, they would fire me. I know people who run up expenses like they are on vacation, and they aren’t reprimanded. What are your thoughts?
The card does say “corporate” card . . . not personal. That said, a final warning for a first occurrence of the scenario you describe, if accurate, does sound a little extreme. If there is a rare circumstance where you need to use the card for a personal expense, seek approval beforehand with an explanation, and clarify you will pay the cost directly to AmEx so the company won’t even have to be reimbursed. As for the others with profligate expense reporting, those “Mad Men” days are long gone, and it will catch up with them.
I am part of a small management team whose members report to the same boss. Our boss is asking me to do certain things confidentially, without seeking my peers’ input, which is causing a rift with my colleagues when they’re brought into the loop. How do you handle such a situation?
Unless your boss is playing games and pitting the staff against each other, he probably has a reason for asking you to do certain things without their knowledge. It could be a compliment to you and a commentary on how the boss feels about them. But instead of guessing, just ask. Explain the situation to your boss in a way that is thoughtful and constructive — and don’t say you object. As for your peers, make sure you don’t act like the teacher’s pet. Explain you are just following your boss’ directions, not trying to elbow to the front of the class. If they have a problem with how the boss is managing the team, they should discuss it with him, not take it out on you.