Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will implement another round of layoffs, impacting about 5% of its global workforce. This restructuring is part of the company’s strategy to optimize its operations and focus on more critical areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Details of the Layoff Plan
Starting Monday, February 10, 2025, Meta will begin sending out notifications to employees who will be impacted by the layoffs. Notices will go out at 5 a.m. local time in most countries, including the United States. While employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will not be affected due to local labor laws, workers in other regions, such as parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, will receive their layoff notifications between February 11 and February 18.
Focus on Low Performers
Unlike previous rounds of layoffs that impacted entire teams or departments, this round focuses on Meta’s lowest-performing employees. The company has set its sights on improving performance across the organization by cutting employees deemed as underperformers. Meta’s leadership has made it clear that it wants to “raise the bar” and ensure that only top talent remains within the company to drive future growth.
Hiring for Critical Roles
While Meta is laying off thousands, it is also expediting its hiring process in certain areas. The company is focusing on filling machine learning engineering positions and other business-critical roles. These positions are vital to Meta’s long-term plans as the company aims to strengthen its capabilities in artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies. The hiring initiative will take place between February 11 and March 13, 2025.
What Affected Employees Can Expect
Meta will send formal notices via email to employees impacted by the layoffs. The company will also inform them about their severance packages, including the vesting of stock options and other eligible bonuses. Meta plans to cut access to company systems for affected employees within an hour of notification.
Additionally, employees on protected leave may experience delays in receiving their notifications, a situation Meta has promised to address with care and compliance with local regulations.
Meta’s Continued Restructuring
These layoffs come as part of Meta’s broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on higher-priority areas. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously emphasized his vision to transform Meta into a leader in the AI space, and this restructuring aims to help the company achieve that goal.
Meta’s decision to conduct these cuts aligns with broader trends in the tech industry, where companies are increasingly making tough decisions to manage costs and refocus their efforts on innovation in a highly competitive market. The layoffs reflect Meta’s ongoing effort to adapt to changing business needs while continuing to lead in the ever-evolving digital space.
As Meta pushes ahead with these changes, the company remains committed to delivering on its vision for 2025 and beyond.
