Facebook parent Meta sacks employees for misusing $25 meal credit to buy wine glasses, detergents and ...

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly terminated the employment of approximately two dozen employees in Los Angeles. According to a report in Financial Times, the reason for the dismissals is a violation of company policy regarding the use of $25 daily meal credits.

Violated company's meal pass policy

The Instead of using the credits for food, as intended, some employees allegedly purchased household items such as wine glasses, laundry detergents, acne pads and household items. The terminations reportedly occurred last week, just days before Meta announced a restructuring of its WhatsApp, Instagram, and Reality Labs teams.

This incident highlights a growing concern among tech companies about employee misconduct and the misuse of company resources. According to reports, the fired employees had been abusing the food credit system for an extended period. Some had even pooled their money together to maximize their purchases, while others were ordering meals to be delivered to their homes.

Repeat and long-time violators of the policy terminated

Those who were found to have violated the rules only occasionally were reprimanded but not terminated. However, those who had engaged in repeated or egregious violations were subject to dismissal.

As per the FT report, one former Meta employee, who spoke anonymously, described using the meal credits to buy items like toothpaste and tea from Rite Aid. They explained that on days when they weren't eating at the office, they felt it was wasteful to let the credits go unused.

At Meta, employees are given daily allowances of $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $25 for dinner, with meal credits issued in $25 increments.