ByteDance was once regarded as one of the best internet companies in terms of salary and benefits. However, this year, ByteDance’s benefits have been gradually reduced, and recently there have even been reports of measures such as prohibiting employees from bringing takeaway meals and banning afternoon naps.
According to netizen revelations, ByteDance has been taking frequent actions recently. The afternoon tea service has been discontinued, the hundred-yuan repurchase program is gone, the year-end bonuses are being paid in installments, and employees are no longer allowed to bring packed meals out of the work area. There are even rumors that lunch breaks may be canceled in favor of leaving work early.
According to a report by Jiupai News on May 16, an employee at ByteDance in Beijing stated that the company recently issued an internal notice stating that workplace meals, accompanying beverages, fruits, tea room snacks, etc., must be consumed on-site and cannot be taken out of the workplace. In order to prevent employees from taking meals outside, ByteDance has also introduced a “report” link, and once confirmed, individuals will face penalties such as refunds, warnings, or dismissal to varying degrees.
The lunch break policy is also being adjusted, with the Shenzhen work area, where employees were previously allowed to take a nap with the lights off, announcing that lights must remain on during nap time. Beijing and Shenzhen work areas have also started to restrict the use of folding beds.
The aforementioned Beijing employee mentioned that in addition to previous measures such as canceling New Year red envelopes, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival gifts, discontinuing the afternoon tea service, and the computer “hundred-yuan purchase,” the new snacks and fruits in the tea room have significantly decreased in variety compared to the previous afternoon tea offerings. The benefits at ByteDance are gradually being reduced.
In response, an internal source at ByteDance explained that the adjustments in meal services are primarily aimed at curbing hoarding practices, such as individuals taking large amounts of food for takeout while on campus dining remains unaffected. As for the lunch break, there is no prohibition on taking a nap; employees can choose to nap at their workstations based on personal needs. The main purpose is to prevent personal belongings from obstructing fire safety passages and public areas.
However, employees in Shenzhen have expressed skepticism about the practice of encouraging mutual reporting.
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