Employee Needs Advance on Expenses

* The Shop Talk column on Sept. 6 had a query from a sales type on improving expense payment timeliness.

I have an additional suggestion. The employee can also request that the company provide a monthly advance on expenses. That shifts most of the cash flow responsibility from the employee to the company and eliminates the need to calculate and track interest. When the employee submits the expenses report, the advance is subtracted from the amount owed.

I use this method, as well as the conventional “put it on your card and I’ll reimburse you.” Most companies I am familiar with will do this, but you have to ask for it to get it.

The employee could also submit an expense report every other week if it is faster to get more, but smaller, checks out of the company.

JIM DODD

San Diego