> This might come as a bit of a surprise to you
> So if you are astonished that people optimize for their financial gain, that’s concerning.
I’m not “surprised” nor “astonished” nor do you need to be “concerned” for me. That’s unnecessarily condescending.
I’m simply explaining how these generous policies come to and end through abuse.
You are making a point in favor of these policies: Many will see an opportunity for abuse and take it, so employers become more strict.
I find your tone commendable, and I hope I can extend you the same courtesy of being respectful while disagreeing.
The idea that a company offering food in some capacity can be seen as generous is, at best, confusing and possibly naïve. A company does this because it expects such a policy will extract more work for less pay. There is no benevolence in the relationship between a company and an individual — only pure, raw self-interest.
In my opinion, the best solution is not to offer benefits at all, but simply to overpay everyone. That’s far more effective, since individuals then spend their own money as they choose, and thus take appropriate care of it.