Tech firms, including Facebook, Google and LinkedIn, have long offered free food as a perk to employees. However, cities are seeking to discourage the practice as part of moves to increase the benefit of such firms to local communities. The city is also looking at ways to encourage more people to work in tech by offering tax breaks for companies that hire locally. However, Facebook is permitted to cover costs for staff eating in public restaurants. San Francisco is believed to be considering a similar move.
Tech firms, including Facebook, Google and LinkedIn, have long offered free food as a perk to employees. However, cities are seeking to discourage the practice as part of moves to increase the benefit of such firms to local communities. According to recent reports, a 2014 agreement between Facebook and the Californian city of Mountain View, where the company is due to open a new office this year, prohibited the subsidy of employee meals by more than 50%. However, Facebook is permitted to cover costs for staff eating in public restaurants. San Francisco is believed to be considering a similar move.