Meta will lay off low-performing staff ahead of ‘intense’ year
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to lay off approximately 3,600 employees identified as low performers, according to an internal memo first reported by Bloomberg. CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the move in the memo, describing it as a strategy to “raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster.” The layoffs will begin in February, with U.S. employees to be notified of their status by February 10. International employees will receive updates later.
The 3,600 job cuts account for about 5% of Meta’s workforce, which stood at 72,400 as of September. Zuckerberg characterized 2025 as an “intense year” for the company, emphasizing that these measures are part of broader efforts to streamline operations and focus on high-performing talent. “We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year,” he explained, adding that this time, Meta is opting for a faster, more extensive approach to addressing underperformance.
Some employees who underperformed previously may be retained if their managers are optimistic about their potential. However, those who are laid off will receive what Zuckerberg described as “generous severance” packages. He reassured staff that Meta plans to replace the outgoing employees with new hires later in the year.
This marks yet another round of layoffs for the tech giant. In November 2022, Meta let go of over 11,000 employees, followed by another 10,000 cuts in the subsequent months. The company has been under pressure to optimize its workforce as it navigates shifting priorities and market conditions.
The announcement coincides with other significant changes at Meta, including adjustments to its policies and programs. Recently, the company eliminated its U.S. fact-checking initiative, a decision that drew criticism from some quarters and praise from others. Meta also introduced changes to its content moderation rules, relaxing restrictions on divisive topics like immigration and gender. These policy updates have received mixed reactions, with Republican figures welcoming them while Democrats voiced concerns about potential bias.
Last week, Meta also reduced its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) team and scaled back related initiatives. These reductions have further fueled the debate about the company’s shifting priorities under Zuckerberg’s leadership.
In a separate development, Zuckerberg appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he discussed Meta’s ambitious plans for artificial intelligence. He revealed that Meta and other tech giants are working on advanced AI systems capable of handling complex coding tasks traditionally performed by engineers. According to Zuckerberg, this could lead to the replacement of midlevel software engineers with AI by 2025, signaling a significant shift in how Meta approaches software development.
Meta’s announcement has already affected its stock price. Shares of the company fell on Tuesday following the news of the layoffs, reflecting investor concerns about the company’s overall strategy and direction. Critics have questioned whether the continuous rounds of job cuts and policy changes might disrupt morale and long-term growth.
Meta’s leadership maintains that these changes are necessary for the company to stay competitive. Zuckerberg reiterated his commitment to transforming Meta into a leaner, more agile organization, capable of addressing the challenges of an ever-evolving tech landscape.
The latest round of layoffs underscores the broader challenges facing the tech industry. As companies grapple with economic pressures and shifting technological paradigms, strategies like workforce optimization and AI integration are becoming more common. For Meta, these measures reflect a significant recalibration as it seeks to align its workforce with its long-term goals.
While the immediate impact of these layoffs will be felt by thousands of employees and their families, the broader implications for the tech industry remain to be seen. As Meta continues to reshape its workforce and policies, the company’s future trajectory will undoubtedly be closely watched by industry analysts, employees, and investors alike.
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