Meta plans to cut about 5% of its workforce in a program of performance-based layoffs. According to an internal memo sent to all employees, the positions will be filled with new, more qualified talent. As of September, Meta employed about 72,000 people, so the layoffs will affect around 3,600 employees, Bloomberg reports.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the company will increase performance management requirements and remove low-performing employees more quickly. “We typically let go of people who don’t meet our expectations throughout the year, but this round will be more extensive and performance-based,” he said. The timing of employee notification depends on their location: employees in the U.S. will be informed on February 10, while those in other countries will be notified later. Only employees who have been with the company long enough to pass a performance review will be affected. Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta will still offer “generous severance packages” to those who are leaving.
In line with a strategy announced in 2023, the company aims to ensure that it has the “strongest talent,” and that it can continue to attract new talent. Although the company has already cut 10,000 positions, the focus now shifts to raising the quality of its staff. In a note to managers, Zuckerberg explained that these measures are part of maintaining Meta’s competitive edge. Overall, based on the performance review, Meta plans to reduce its total headcount by 10%, including an additional 5% reduction due to natural attrition last year. Decisions on the number of employees in each division will be made with last year’s cuts in mind.
New Initiatives and Future Focus
Alongside these changes, Zuckerberg announced several other initiatives, including ending fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in the United States, as well as altering Meta’s hate speech policy, reminds NIXSOLUTIONS. Bloomberg notes that these moves may coincide with efforts to improve relations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose inauguration Zuckerberg plans to attend.
The Meta CEO also highlighted the company’s plans for a busy year focused on artificial intelligence technologies and smart glasses. It is worth noting that Meta is not the only major company starting the year with layoffs: last week, Microsoft announced it would reduce positions among employees with low professional productivity. We’ll keep you updated on any further developments in this evolving situation.
Zuckerberg remains committed to reshaping Meta’s workforce to maintain a higher level of performance. While the current climate has led to several high-profile layoffs, Meta intends to remain a leader in innovation by concentrating on AI projects, smart devices, and by continuously refining its staffing approach.