Help! Work place dilemma

I recently joined a private firm as a new hire. During my orientation, I was briefed about the firm’s policy by the Head of Human Resources. One of the organizations policy stated that, “On no account should an employee charge personal bills to company’s account”, I was also informed about the exceptions to this policy. One of exception stated that “personal bills relating to assisting and providing necessary help to existing customers can be charge to firms account.”

 

Two weeks after joining the firm, I went for lunch with three senior colleagues and a prospective customer. The lunch date was aimed at providing help and clarification to a prospective customer.

 

After the meeting, I was asked by my senior colleagues to charge the bill to company account. In response, I make it clear that I could not do it, as it is against the firm’s policy. My senior colleagues however insisted that I make the charge. What should I do? I don’t want to come off as rude or disrespectful.

 

A.   Charge the bills to my personal account and let it go

 

B.   Charge the bills to my personal account and inform the HR about the situation

 

C.   Charge the bills to company account as requested by senior colleague inform the HR about the situation

D.   Place a call immediately to the HR informing her of the situation and requesting for approval

 

E.    Ask my senior colleague to make the charge themselves

 

F.    Others (Please explain in the comment section)

 

 

 

D.   Place a call immediately to the HR informing her of the situation and requesting for approval. 

In my opinion, calling the HR is for further confirmation and not to get into trouble since you are new to the organization because... 

You stated above that “personal bills relating to assisting and providing necessary help to existing customers can be charge to firms account.”  

And you also stated that "The lunch date was aimed at providing help and clarification to a prospective customer." 

Ayinuola M Olaoye 

 

 

 

 

 

Y

It depends on your organization's structure; you may have a direct line manager(this person's rank will be above your senior colleagues). In this situation, you are to first report to him/her via a call and an e-mail. If this cannot be resolved at this stage, it will then be escalated to HR.

However, if this does not exist, I'll advise you to go with Option D.

I believe whatever decisions being made at this point will involve all parties.

I think it's best to call the HR and draw her attention to the situation at hand. Since you're new and all and don't want to seem disrespectful to your senior colleagues, I believe its the best course of action at that moment in time.  

I agree with suggestions that the HR be called immediately and informed of the development. You'll get clarity on how to handle the situation.