Meta terminates 24 employees for misusing company food vouchers for household groceries
PTC News Desk: Meta Platforms Inc. has dismissed 24 employees from its Los Angeles offices, not as part of the widespread tech layoffs but due to misuse of the company's meal voucher system. Reports indicate that these employees exploited a $25 meal credit policy intended to cover meals during work hours by purchasing various non-food items. These included household goods such as toothpaste, laundry detergent, scotch tape, and even wine glasses.
The terminations followed an internal investigation that uncovered a consistent pattern of misuse within the meal credit system. Some employees were found using food credits to acquire items unrelated to meals, while others reportedly sent meals home even when they were not physically present at the office. This raised ethical concerns regarding the appropriate use of company resources, as first reported by Financial Ties.
One anonymous employee, who disclosed a lucrative salary of $400,000 per year, confessed to using meal credits for grocery and household items. In a post on the anonymous platform Blind, the employee rationalized their actions, stating, "On days when I would not be eating at the office, like if my husband was cooking or if I was grabbing dinner with friends, I figured I ought not to waste the dinner credit."
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Meta’s investigation was part of a broader human resources review and led to the termination of employees found to have repeatedly misused the meal credits. While some employees received reprimands for minor infractions, they were permitted to keep their positions, indicating that Meta differentiated between serious violations and occasional mistakes.
This incident of employee dismissals comes amidst significant restructuring efforts at Meta, spearheaded by founder Mark Zuckerberg. The company has been undergoing cost-cutting measures that have already resulted in the elimination of approximately 21,000 jobs over the past two years, as part of an overarching strategy to streamline operations and reduce expenses. As of June 2023, Meta employed around 70,799 individuals and is currently focused on reorganising various divisions, including WhatsApp and Instagram.
The recent firings at Meta are reflective of a broader trend within the tech industry, where companies are increasingly scrutinizing employee perks and benefits. In addition to layoffs, many firms are cutting back on various employee benefits, including fitness classes and office supplies, as part of a wider effort to tighten budgets across the sector.
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- With inputs from agencies
