Is it permissible to take leftover food from the lunch meal prepared for employees at work to one's home?

If the company transfers ownership of the food to the employees, then there is no harm in taking the surplus for eating, gifting, or selling. Ownership transfer or permission is known through the employment contract or common practice. However, surplus meals must be returned to the company, or kept for absentees, or utilized with their permission if possible, based on the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "The property of a Muslim is not lawful except with his willing consent."

However, if the company permits eating without transferring ownership, then it is not permissible to take the surplus, based on the Prophet's (P.B.U.H) saying: "Muslims are bound by their conditions, except a condition that makes lawful what is unlawful or makes unlawful what is lawful." This is unless the food is destined to spoil or be thrown in the trash, in which case it is permissible to take it then to preserve it.