Meta fired 24 employees for using company food vouchers to buy household groceries like tea and tape
Metra has fired 24 Los Angeles employees for abusing food vouchers to buy tea, tape, detergent and other household items.
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Meta has laid off 24 employees, and no, it’s not in line with IT layoffs. Instead, Mark Zuckerberg’s company fired these employees in its Los Angeles offices for abusing the company’s food voucher system. According to reports, some Metra employees took advantage of the $25 food credit policy – under which Metra covers meals for employees during work hours – to purchase various non-food items, including toothpaste, laundry. Including household items like detergent, Scotch tape and the like. Even wine glasses.
Meta fired the employees after an internal investigation revealed a pattern of abuse of the meal credit system. It was found that employees were using food credits to purchase items that had nothing to do with food during office hours. According to Financial Ties, which first reported the firing, some employees reportedly sent meals home even when they were not physically present in the office, raising questions about the ethical use of company resources .
An unnamed Meta employee, who reportedly earned a substantial salary of $400,000 per year, also admitted to using food credits for grocery items and household supplies. In a post on the anonymous platform Blind, the employee explained her reasoning, saying, “On days when I’m not eating at the office, like if my husband is cooking or if I’m having dinner with friends, So I thought I shouldn’t do it.” For ruining the dinner credit.”
According to the report, Meta’s investigation, which was part of a broader human resources review, led to the dismissal of those who repeatedly misused meal credits. While some employees were reprimanded for occasional violations, they were allowed to retain their positions, suggesting that Meta drew a line between minor infractions and serious violations of company policy.
The recent firings at Meta come amid a backdrop of restructuring that has seen significant layoffs and changes in its operating strategy. Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has initiated a series of cost-cutting measures and restructuring that has already resulted in the reduction of thousands of jobs. In total, Meta laid off about 21,000 employees over the past two years as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce expenses. As of June 2023, the company employed around 70,799 individuals and is now focusing on restructuring various divisions including WhatsApp and Instagram.
Meanwhile, Meta’s job cuts are part of a larger trend within the tech industry, where companies are increasingly scrutinizing employee perks. In addition to layoffs, companies are cutting various benefits including fitness classes and office supplies, reflecting budget tightening across the sector.
