What are the laws governing employee expense reimbursement?

Employees in the District of Columbia are covered by labor and employment laws that govern how an employer must handle employee expense reimbursements. These laws state that employers must reimburse employees for any expenses necessary for business purposes. This includes any items or services bought to help the employer’s business operations or that are required for a job-related task. Employees must submit an itemized list of the expenses they need to be reimbursed for. Reimbursement must be made within 30 days if the expenses are not over $500 and within 60 days if the expenses are larger than $500. Employers in the District of Columbia must also provide employees with advance notice of their right to request reimbursement and provide information on the time limits and procedures to submit a reimbursement request. Employers cannot require employees to pay for any item themselves if it was incurred as part of their job. If the employer pays for the expense, they must include the amount as wages in the employee’s paycheck and that amount would be subject to payroll taxes and minimum wage laws. Finally, employers must pay all employee expenses promptly. Employees can take the employer to court if the employer does not reimburse them promptly for legitimate expenses.

Related FAQs

What laws protect employees from discrimination?
What are the laws governing employee privacy?
Are employers obligated to provide employee vacations?
What is the equal pay act?
What constitutes sexual harassment?
Can employers require employees to work overtime?
What rights do employees have to receive written notice of a job termination?
What are the legal rights and responsibilities of unions?
What are the laws governing hiring and firing?
What are the laws governing workplace safety?

Related Blog Posts

What Employers Should Know about Labor Laws: An Overview for HR Departments - July 31, 2023
Navigating California's Evolving Labor and Employment Laws - August 7, 2023
Employers: Get to Know the National Labor Relations Act - August 14, 2023
A Guide to Understanding Wage and Hour Laws - August 21, 2023
Exploring the Basics of Employment Discrimination Laws - August 28, 2023