I'm struggling with asking for reimbursement I am properly owed.

Anonymous

September 25,2023 at 4:15PM UTC

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I'm struggling with asking for reimbursement I am properly owed. I work with a very small non-profit. We don't have a corporate credit card, and probably never will. There is plenty of money in the budget for me to be reimbursed for incidental expenses on a monthly basis. I have all documentation and never spend outside what is allowed. And yet somehow, I feel guilty every time I submit expenses. It leaves me feeling almost paralyzed for no legitimate reason. Any ideas?

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Barb HansenSeptember 25,2023 at 4:57PM UTC
Your wage is what you get from your company (non-profit that you work for) in exchange for the work you do, and you absolutely should get reimbursed for the expenses owed to you, so submit those expenses :)
Don't donate your money to your company through your current method (paying for incidental expenses on your personal credit card). If you want to donate money to your employer, then do it officially so you can get the tax breaks for your donation.
Perhaps making a small monthly donation to your non-profit will make you feel better about submitting your expenses
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 4:59PM UTC
That's why they have a budget for operating expenses. As it's always a best practice using others money in a fiscally responsible way. If you have a view of that budget that may help with your guilt.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 5:12PM UTC
I guess you see the nonprofit as more of a charity and your work there as your donation?
I would work to see this job as part of your career and not volunteer or charity work. This is actually a business and should be treated as such
Huong Nguyen-ValleSeptember 25,2023 at 5:14PM UTC
I am sorry you feel this way. I worked in a non-profit my entire life and after a while I refused to use my own money to purchase items for the office. Reimbursements took too long and had to go through many people to get it signed off. Please don't feel guilty. They pay you to work not suppose to take your money.
AnonymousSeptember 25,2023 at 5:43PM UTC
This is a business expense, and you are due the reimbursement. If it helps, you are helping the non-profit with their budget as they will know the true costs to run the business. Please take the guilt out of the equation - you purchased for the company and the company owes you.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 27,2023 at 4:38AM UTC
What would you tell your best friend if she told you what you told us?
I'm guessing you'd tell her to put in for her expense re-imbursement because that's her money and she deserves to have the loan she made to that company paid back. And that she shouldn't feel guilty about wanting her hard-earned money back.
AnonymousOctober 9,2023 at 12:34PM UTC
Do you feel guilty when you get paid your rightful salary? It's the same principle. If there is budget for it, and you are making legit claims, why the guilt? Let it go.