In a move to boost efficiency and uphold company values, more employers are deploying what some are calling perk police—a term for teams or technologies tasked with ensuring that employees follow company policies regarding workplace perks. These perks, such as meal credits, employee discounts, and company-issued spending cards, are meant to enhance the employee experience. But when misused, they can become a costly problem for businesses.

As companies continue to grow and adjust in the wake of the pandemic, there’s an increasing need for employers to ensure that resources are being used appropriately. It’s no longer just about providing perks; it’s about making sure those perks are being used in line with the company’s values and goals. For businesses already operating on tight margins, even small infractions can add up, which is why many are now taking a stricter approach to perk management.

In a competitive business environment, it’s crucial for companies to maintain efficiency and ensure that perks are not misused. For example, many businesses are now using corporate spend management platforms like Payhawk, which issue smart cards to employees and track spending in real-time. These systems allow employers to set restrictions on where and when employees can use their cards, adding an extra layer of accountability. This not only prevents misuse but also gives employers valuable insights into employee spending habits.

Take Meta, for example. The company recently fired employees who were found to have used company meal credits on non-food items, like wine glasses and acne treatments. While some may view these firings as harsh, for Meta, it was about maintaining a clear standard of what’s acceptable in terms of employee perks. Meta’s approach sends a strong message to its workforce: perks are a privilege, and they must be used responsibly.

Companies like Ernst & Young and Target are also tightening up their policies. Target, for instance, let go of employees who jumped in front of customers to purchase highly sought-after items, such as Stanley water bottles, using employee perks. These actions, although minor, can send the wrong message and affect workplace culture. For employers, ensuring that employees don’t take advantage of perks is essential in maintaining fairness and morale within the team.

Furthermore, many companies are realizing that during the post-pandemic boom, they hired more employees than needed. As a result, they’re tightening up policies to eliminate wasteful behaviour and ensure that resources are being used wisely. By taking a firm stance on perk usage, employers can keep their operations running smoothly and prevent the kind of entitlement culture that can arise when rules are too lenient.

For employees, the message is simple: follow the rules, or risk facing consequences. Just as employees are expected to show up to work on time and perform their duties to the best of their ability, they are also expected to respect company policies surrounding perks. This means no long lunches, no misuse of meal credits, and no leveraging company discounts for personal gain.

As Australia’s job market remains steady with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, employers are in a position to enforce stricter policies if necessary. With new technologies available to track employee actions, employers are more equipped than ever to monitor how perks are being used, and they’re not afraid to crack down on misuse.