Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, focusing on accelerating the removal of “low performers.”
In a memo to employees, CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained that this decision was made in preparation for an “intense year” ahead. He also mentioned that the company plans to “backfill” the positions in 2025. With a global workforce of around 72,000, Meta has not disclosed how the layoffs will be distributed across its global operations.
Workers in the U.S. affected by the cuts will be notified by February 10, as stated in Mr. Zuckerberg’s memo. Employees outside the U.S. will be informed at a later date.
“This is going to be an intense year, and I want to make sure we have the best people on our teams,” he wrote.
“I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low performers faster.”
This decision follows other significant moves by Mark Zuckerberg, including the termination of the company’s fact-checking and diversity programs. While performance-based job cuts are typical in corporate America, Zuckerberg noted that at Meta, these cuts usually occur over a year. However, this year, the process is being expedited.
The move could affect around 3,600 employees, who will receive “generous severance,” according to Zuckerberg.
The latest round of cuts follows previous significant reductions at Meta, including about 10,000 jobs cut in 2023 as part of a cost-cutting initiative after Zuckerberg declared it the “year of efficiency.” In 2022, the company also laid off approximately 11,000 roles.
