Squirrel Escape at Meta Office Sparks Internal Humor Amid Workplace Challenges
A squirrel escaped inside a Meta office in Bangkok, Thailand, sparking a mix of amusement and concern among employees, according to an internal memo reviewed by WIRED.
The Unlikely Office Intruder
The squirrel was delivered to the Bangkok office in a package but escaped, according to the internal memo. It remained loose for at least 20 minutes, darting past staff members before being captured. A janitor from a cleaning company, who had accepted the delivery, sustained minor injuries from the encounter, according to the document. The memo noted that the janitor acknowledged responsibility for the breach of office regulations and pledged to prevent similar incidents.
A Janitor’s Unintended Role
Meta has not commented on the specific event, but the incident was shared internally as a lighthearted break from ongoing challenges. Employees have reported declining office amenities, including the removal of healthy snacks like nuts, which some workers said were replaced with less nutritious options such as chips.
Morale Crisis Amid Restructuring
The squirrel incident occurred against a backdrop of internal tensions at Meta. Recent restructurings, mass layoffs, and a controversial initiative to train AI using employee data without explicit consent have contributed to a “morale crisis,” as described in internal communications. To address this, executives have reportedly funded social events and committed to improving office food offerings.
Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Employees have used the squirrel story as a source of humor, with one creating an AI-generated video mimicking an HR training course on “squirrel-related office best practices,” according to The New York Times journalist Mike Isaac, who first shared the anecdote on social media.
Unintended Consequences of Office Logistics
While Meta has not provided details on the squirrel’s current status, some employees speculated it might have been intended as a pet or for other purposes.