[ben7799]

This used to be handled by having a non-free cafeteria.

The cafeteria will still be cheaper for employees than going out to restaurants, and it will be cheaper than the company picking up the tab for everyone.

It used to be common to make a lunch and bring it to work too.

This recent stuff that tech workers are entitled to a free meal at work or to go spend an hour+ to go to a restaurant for lunch every day is a very new thing.

[unity1001]

> This used to be handled by having a non-free cafeteria.

Well, if the food can be provided for cheap enough, it may make more sense to give it away free than to handle all the accounting hassle.

> This recent stuff that tech workers are entitled to a free meal at work or to go spend an hour+ to go to a restaurant for lunch every day is a very new thing.

Its not. It was a practice very widespread in most of the world's social democracies, especially in government organizations, in order to lift up the life standards of the members. Its still used in a lot of countries. The US has 'rediscovered' it through the tech companies. Just like its 'rediscovering' company-provided housing and all the other tangible benefits that the rest of the world still practices instead of leaving their employees to the mercy of the market.

[DrScump]

>The US has 'rediscovered' it through the tech companies.

It's only spoken of in the media positively in the context of newer tech companies.

My first programming job was at a defense contractor no doubt considered "stodgy" by the cool kids. Their newest office building was environmentally friendly (~70% naturally lit), and its cafeteria complex was large, well-managed and had both innovative and healthy options (e.g. a pay-by-the-ounce salad bar).

This was in 1983.