Policies regarding "gratuities"

[CAcebedo]

What is the church policy on claiming a gratuity on an expense reimbursement?

[russellhltn]

I don't know as there's any special consideration for gratuity, but all expenses need to comply with policy.

From the Help Center:

Expenses must be approved by the stake president or bishop before they are incurred. His approval may be verbal or written. A member requesting reimbursement provides the receipts or invoices electronically (a picture or scan) or a physical copy showing the amount and date of the purchase. The member indicates which category the expense is for. If a receipt or invoice is not available, the member should provide a full written explanation of the expense, including the date, amount of the purchase, and category.

[waltbristow]

Out of interest, are you talking about things like tips on a restaurant bill?

[CAcebedo]

What I am talking about, is that we are having a ward party and a member was tasked with purchasing the meat and side dishes. They went to a local BBQ place and purchased the food and when they paid, they added a 15% gratuity.

[russellhltn]

If it's on the receipt, I don't see an issue.

Edit: I don't see an issue with reimbursement from an audit standpoint, but garystroble has valid points below.

[garystroble]

What I am talking about, is that we are having a ward party and a member was tasked with purchasing the meat and side dishes. They went to a local BBQ place and purchased the food and when they paid, they added a 15% gratuity.

Who is the "they" that added the tip? Do you mean the BBQ place or the member? If the BBQ place, that seems like a very unfriendly business practice to add a tip to a pick-up order. If you mean the member, it would be very generous of him/her to do so, if his/her own money. Probably irresponsible with the Lord's money. I would let your Bishop decide on reimbursing the tip if the member decided to add it on his/her own.

[russellhltn]

If the member added it, one could play the "was this approved in advance?" card.

[waltbristow]

As an Assistant Area Auditor, I have never questioned a reasonable tip. If it were 25% or something like that, I would raise it as an issue. If it were a business where you don't normally expect to have to tip, I would raise the issue.

This sounds like something that should be discussed in a ward council if there are concerns. It may be different in different geographic areas.

[lajackson]

Also, I would remember that things have been a little different during COVID, at least where I live. Some restaurants have increased the price of their menu items. Others have just added a 10-15% "tip" under a variety of different names to the total.

I am guessing the BBQ place added it. I would not have added it, but would have paid it if it was on the bill.