Cheap Bastards.

Today we received the following internal communication and it blew my mind.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
TO: Corporate and Division Offices
FROM: EVP/CFO; Senior Director – Financial Operations RE: Expense Reports – Business Meals and Entertainment
SUMMARY
In order to further contain costs, Business Meals and Entertainment must be verbally pre-approved by your Finance Leader.
Reimbursement for Business Meals and Entertainment must only be for legitimate and documented meals with THIRD PARTIES (non-associates) and must not be excessive as to dollar limits or occurrences. Team lunches and team-building events are not considered Business Meals or Entertainment, and are therefore not a reimbursable expense. (of course not, why would they want their associates to have a little fun??)
KEY DATES/LOCATIONS
The designation of Business Meals and Entertainment as a policy exception will take effect on Thursday, June 23.
ACTION REQUIRED
For additional information, view the SOP on the Intranet under Corporate Compliance.
QUESTIONS
Contact the Financial Operations Help Desk, ext. 12043

I mean, I work for a $73 BILLION company, and we can't expense a little lunch every once and again? Ugh. Next thing you know, "to further contain costs," we'll all be assigned a day to mow the lawn and wash the dishes in the cafeteria downstairs. Has everyone signed up for their day for bathroom detail duty? Instead of copiers they'll give us all carbon paper should we need to have a copy of something.

In the meantime, we pay our CEO $26 million with a $6 million parachute clause to be paid FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE if he resigns or gets fired. And I work for slightly better than peanuts yet you'd think the company would collapse should I take a vacation or sick day...