Travel Policy for Independent Contractors

The purpose of this document is to describe the reimbursement policy for Mentor Graphics Independent Contractors while traveling for Mentor Graphics business purposes. Mentor Graphics will reimburse Independent Contractors for authorized, reasonable, and necessary travel expenses. These expenses must fall within the guidelines below and must be documented as this policy describes.

Mentor Graphics will report all reimbursements of travel and related expenses to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for 1099 recipients. The responsibility for satisfying the IRS that all such expenses are deductible for tax purposes rests with the Independent Contractor.

Reservations
Independent Contractors MAY make travel arrangements through WorldTravel/BTI (WT/BTI), Mentor Graphics' designated travel management company, when traveling on Mentor Graphics' behalf. Doing so will ensure Independent Contractors access to Mentor Graphics' specially negotiated air, hotel, and rental car rates where applicable.

Independent Contractors must provide a credit card number for all air travel or lodging expenses booked through WT/BTI. Direct billing to Mentor Graphics for travel expenses is not permitted.

Travel Department: (503) 685-1579. The manager may be reached at (503) 685-4725.

Air Travel
Independent Contractors will be reimbursed for the cost of lowest available fare for both domestic and international trips. Independent Contractors may upgrade at their own expense or use earned mileage from airline frequent flyer programs.

Independent Contractors will be reimbursed for the lowest fare available. Trips should be planned as far in advance as possible in order to take advantage of discounted fares when available.

Hotel Accommodations
Independent Contractors will stay in standard rooms in a safe, comfortable hotel or motel.

  • The maximum reimbursable hotel expense in the Portland, Oregon area is $91 per night, not inclusive of hotel tax.
  • The Mentor Graphics WT/BTI team will secure cost effective and cost appropriate accommodations by using hotels listed in the Mentor Graphics preferred hotel listing.
  • International hotel reservations must be made through WT/BTI to secure the most reasonable rates when traveling on Mentor Graphics' behalf.

Rooms will be guaranteed for late arrivals, but it is the responsibility of the Independent Contractor to call either the hotel directly or WT/BTI's 24-hour service number (800) 220-8910 Executive Code: EX27 to cancel a room reservation that will not be used. No-show charges incurred as a result of the Independent Contractor's failure to cancel a room reservation will not be reimbursed.

Long-Term Stay
Corporate housing is available for a minimum of 30 days. Independent Contractors will have a furnished apartment vs. a hotel room with all amenities. Independent Contractor will pay for these charges and, if authorized by the Purchase Order, Independent Contractor will bill Mentor Graphics. Please contact purchasing_corp@mentor.com for details.

Rental Cars
Car rental may not be the most cost effective form of local transportation, considering rental fees, gas charges, time lost in acquiring and returning the car, difficulty of driving in a strange city, and so on. For short distances within a city, a taxi may be preferable. Taxi fare is a reimbursable expense when it proves to be an economical alternative to a rental car.

Reservations for rental cars shall be made with Mentor Graphics' preferred rental car suppliers. The rates charged to Mentor Graphics by its preferred suppliers are the maximum rates for which Independent Contractors will be reimbursed. No additional mileage charges or insurance coverage will be reimbursed.

The maximum daily rental expense is determined by Mentor Graphics contracted rates for compact cars through the Hertz Corporation.

Independent Contractors shall return the rental car with a full tank of gas. Mentor Graphics will not reimburse Independent Contractors for gasoline purchased from rental agencies.

Meal Expenses
Lunch expense on one-day trips is not reimbursable. Maximum reimbursements for meals are as follows:

Breakfast $10, Lunch $20, Dinner $30

Expenses not Covered
The following expenses are not reimbursable:

  • Limousine Services
  • Telephone, including long distance
  • Airline upgrades.
  • Use of personal frequent flyer miles, coupons/vouchers, or airline certificates of any type for airline tickets. MGC will not reimburse for ticket/coupon value.
  • Interest accrued on any personal credit card
  • Speeding or parking tickets incurred while driving a rental or personal car
  • Laundry expenses
  • In-room movies or video rentals
  • Health club or workout room fees

Documentation Required for Reimbursement
Requests for reimbursement of expenses incurred on Mentor Graphics' behalf shall be submitted in the Independent Contractor's invoice. All reimbursable expenses must be itemized by category on the applicable invoice.

Independent Contractors must provide copies of receipts for all expenses incurred on Mentor Graphics' behalf. Expenses not supported by copies of receipts will not be reimbursed.

If the Independent Contractor is performing services for which Mentor Graphics has issued a Statement of Work or a Purchase Order with a specific expense limit, it is the responsibility of the Independent Contractor to resolve any discrepancies between the actual expenses and the applicable Statement of Work or Purchase Order with the Mentor Graphics Buyer or Contract Representative.

In the Event of an Accident or Theft of a Rental Car
Contact the local police and file a report. If the police indicate that the accident is not serious enough to warrant their presence, proceed with gathering information from any involved parties. Insurance claims may still be processed if the police are not present to file a report

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