Dear Faculty and Staff;
A notice containing updated guidance regarding meal expenses while shelter-in-place is in effect was sent out to CTE cardholders on October 7th. The guidance is applicable to all members of the division, therefore we are forwarding it out for your reference. Please contact Sarah Barron (srbarron@ucsc.edu) if you have questions:
We have seen some charges coming through for remote meals, and thus wanted to remind folks of updated guidance on this topic. The following announcement can be found on the CTE Process Page and Travel Process Page.
Many campuses have been receiving requests from employees for reimbursements of various expenses associated with working from home during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place. It is important to remember that employees who are working from home are not on travel status as defined in Business and Finance Bulletin G-28, Travel Regulations, as “the period during which a traveler is traveling on official University business outside the vicinity of their headquarters or residence.” Because employees who are working from home are not on travel status, they are not eligible for meal reimbursement. If they have to travel to the regular office where they would normally work, that is a non-reimbursable commuting expense.
Similarly, requests for reimbursement of meals taken at home (or delivered) during a Zoom business meeting are not reimbursable under policy. Per Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-79, a business meeting requires an in-person host, and is intended for on-premises and/or in-person meetings of employees. Since none of those factors occur on an at-home Zoom meeting with colleagues, the related charge is not allowable for reimbursement nor can it be charged to a UC paid credit card (i.e. CTE or Procard).