In a significant move, Meta has announced that it will be laying off approximately 3,000 employees within a week, marking another wave of mass layoffs in the tech sector. While this news has shocked many, the company has also made it clear that the layoffs will affect employees based on their performance.
Why is Meta Laying Off Employees?
Meta recently shared that it plans to let go of 5% of its workforce, focusing on those employees whose performance hasn't met the company's expectations. This move comes as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and focus on more high-priority projects.
Which Countries Are Affected by the Layoffs?
The layoff process is set to begin early on Monday, with 5 AM (local time) marking the start of the notifications in various countries, including the United States. However, there are certain regions that will remain unaffected due to local labor laws, including Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, where layoffs are restricted.
Notices for layoffs will be sent to employees between February 11 and February 18 in various countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Recruitment Plans Amid the Layoffs
Despite the reduction in workforce, Meta remains committed to expanding its team in other areas. The company has emphasized that it will accelerate the hiring process for machine learning engineers. In an internal memo, Peng Fan, Vice President of Meta’s Monetization Team, urged employees to cooperate with the recruitment process to help the company align with its strategic priorities for 2025.
The Layoff Process Will Be Different This Time
This round of layoffs will differ from previous ones. Meta has announced that the offices will remain open during the process, and affected employees will receive direct notifications with little additional communication or updates. This approach marks a shift from earlier layoff procedures, where the company had provided more detailed updates.
Job Market in the U.S. Showing Weakness
The recent trend of layoffs comes amidst a slowdown in the U.S. job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs in the U.S. in December fell unexpectedly to its lowest level in three months. The JOLTS report revealed that the number of job openings dropped from 8.16 million in November to 7.60 million in December, signaling a cooling job market.
