Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads, has reportedly dismissed over 20 employees for misusing company-provided meal credits. The incident, which occurred at Meta’s Los Angeles offices, involved staff using their daily food allowances to purchase household items such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, and even wine glasses.
Meta, known for its generous employee perks, allocates $70 per day in meal credits to staff working remotely. These credits, intended for food delivery through services like Grubhub and Uber Eats, were apparently exploited by some employees who saw an opportunity to stock up on non-food essentials.
The story, which was first reported by the Financial Times, has sparked debate about the boundaries of corporate benefits. One former employee, who reportedly earned a $400,000 salary, admitted to using the credits for items like tea, reasoning that unused dinner credits shouldn’t go to waste.
While some sources claim that warnings were issued before the terminations, others claim the firings came without notice. The incident has raised questions about company policy enforcement and the potential for abuse in flexible benefit systems.
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Coinciding with these dismissals, Meta has also reportedly undergone a broader restructuring, resulting in layoffs across various departments, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and its virtual reality division, Reality Labs.
This brings to question the level of balance between attractive perks and responsible resource management; as well as the need for clear guidelines and the potential consequences of bending the rules, especially in corporate organizations.
Meta has yet to officially comment on the specific firings but has acknowledged ongoing changes to align resources with strategic goals.