Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has fired employees for misusing $25 meal credits to purchase items like wine glasses and acne pads.
Meta fires employees for misusing $25 meal credits amid restructuring efforts
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has fired around two dozen employees in Los Angeles for misusing a $25 daily meal credit.
This credit was intended for meals ordered through services like GrubHub and UberEats.
It was especially for workers staying late at the office or those in locations without a kitchen.
However, some employees reportedly used these credits to buy non-food items, such as wine glasses, acne pads, and laundry detergent.
The situation was clarified as part of a larger restructuring effort at Meta.
This effort included job cuts across various departments, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs.
Former Meta employees defend misuse of meal credits amid frustration over firings
The report indicated that those who were let go had been misusing the meal benefit for an extended period.
Employees who were dismissed received notice last week.
Some Meta workers expressed their frustration about the firings on an anonymous app called Blind.
This app allows users to discuss workplace issues without revealing their identities.
One former employee shared their perspective, explaining that they sometimes used the meal credits for non-food items when they were not eating at the office.
They felt that it was a waste not to use the credits when they were available.
“On days where 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,” he said.
In this case, the misuse of the meal credits included having meals delivered to their homes instead of the office.
Some workers even pooled their credits together to make larger purchases.
While some employees received warnings for their actions, others faced termination despite having adjusted their behavior after the initial warnings.
Many employees at Meta have commented on the strict enforcement of policies regarding the meal credits.
Concerns grow over Meta’s harsh firings despite employee compliance with warnings
Some felt that the company’s approach seemed overly harsh, especially after warnings were issued.
An anonymous worker noted that even after complying with the rules post-warning, some individuals were still terminated.
They expressed concern that the company’s policies might lead to more firings in the future.
“They were given a warning to stop which most of them did, but were still fired 3 months later even after stopping.”
“Seems like warnings don’t mean anything and more people will be fired over the next few months.
I understand policies can be stringent, but this seems egregious,” the employee wrote.
Meta fires employees amid cost-cutting efforts and focus on efficiency
Meta’s decision to fire these employees comes during a period when the company is focused on cutting costs and improving efficiency.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg previously highlighted a “year of efficiency” in which he aimed to streamline operations and reduce expenses.
This effort follows substantial layoffs last year when more than 21,000 jobs were cut across the organization.
Meta did not provide specific details about the number of employees affected by this round of layoffs.
However, a company statement mentioned that changes were being made to ensure resources align with long-term goals.
The statement acknowledged that some teams would be relocated or restructured, which could lead to further job eliminations.
“Today, a few teams at Meta are making changes to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals and location strategy,” the company said in a statement.