Facebook and Instagram Parent Company Allegedly Fires 24 Employees for Misusing $25 Meal Credit System

Meta Fires Employees for Misusing Meal Credits

Meta has recently terminated about two dozen employees in Los Angeles for misusing their $25 meal credits. These staff members used the credits to buy non-food items, including laundry detergent, wine glasses, and acne pads.

Recent Firings Amid Restructuring

The firings occurred last week, just before the company began restructuring teams across WhatsApp, Instagram, and its Reality Labs division, which focuses on augmented and virtual reality. This is part of a broader efficiency initiative led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Meal Credit System Explained

Meta offers free meals to employees at its Silicon Valley headquarters. For those in smaller offices without a cafeteria, the company provides meal credits through services like Uber Eats or Grubhub. Employees receive daily allowances of:

• $20 for breakfast
• $25 for lunch
• $25 for dinner

Abuse of the System

The employees who were let go were found to have abused the meal credit system over an extended period. Some pooled their credits, while others had meals delivered to their homes, which violates company policy. Those who misused the system occasionally faced reprimands but were not fired.

Employee Reactions

One former employee shared on the anonymous platform Blind that they used meal credits for items like toothpaste and tea, explaining, “I figured I ought not to waste the dinner credit” on nights they weren’t eating at the office.

Company Response

Meta has not commented specifically on these firings but mentioned that some teams are adjusting to align with long-term strategic goals. The company aims to find new opportunities for employees affected by role eliminations.

Ongoing Job Cuts

Zuckerberg has implemented approximately 21,000 job cuts in two rounds over the past two years, calling this latest effort a “year of efficiency.” The restructuring is seen as a response to sluggish growth and investor concerns about significant investments in the metaverse. Following these changes, Meta’s stock has surged to all-time highs, currently trading around $577 per share.