Why Meta Sacked Meal Fraudsters

Workplace pilferage

A bunch of high-earning tech staff tried to game the system but paid a hefty price. Meta has fired two dozen employees for abusing their $25 meal credits to buy household items, including acne pads, wine glasses, and laundry detergent. In addition to using the credit for non-food items, some had been pooling their money together while others delivered meals to their homes, though the credits were intended for the office.

This is not an isolated case. In other offices, employees have admitted to seeing their colleagues steal dozens of tissue rolls, bottles of mouthwash, and even entire soap dispensers. The worst cases occur in offices that offer free full meals thrice a day. Before clocking out, some shameless individuals empty fridges and trays to take home food.

What makes the Meta incident stand out is that one of the offenders had a salary of $400,000 a year. This is not an instance of misjudgment but a case of extreme greed and entitlement. 

Commercial contract

Most firms have pantries where office workers can have free coffee and snacks. Such perks boost productivity, morale, and, to an extent, employee retention. Surprise pizza or ice cream parties are also ways for businesses to show employee appreciation.

The logic is quite straightforward. The firm provides a productive work environment for its staff. In exchange, the workers honor the end of the bargain by accomplishing tasks assigned to them. On business trips, firms take care of all the expenses so that employees do not have to worry about anything but their deliverables.

But as the adage goes, “Give someone an inch and they’ll take a mile.” For some reason, people are not satisfied with these generous benefits and want more. They suddenly feel a sense of entitlement and lose their grasp of basic courtesy. Using corporate credit cards or expense accounts for personal use is theft — plain and simple.

The ultimate professional

Meta won’t go broke because of the fraud incident. Contrary to what some people think, it’s not a clandestine way to trim the workforce, as the meal credit violators were reportedly repeat offenders.

Companies don’t care about these things until they do. The issue is not so much about money but the infraction and grave abuse of the commercial contract between the corporation and its employees.

Businesses want people of integrity and unflinching honesty. They want staff who can be trusted even behind closed doors. A true professional isn’t just reliable, competent, knowledgeable, and respectful. They also observe basic courtesies and know how to honor their end of the bargain. Sacking the dishonest bunch is a way for Meta to reinforce a culture of honesty and virtue.

The question for your business

How do you ensure your employees honor the spirit of your workplace?

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