Tech Layoffs Intensify: Meta Announces To Cut 3,600 Jobs Based On Performance, To Hire New Talent

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to dismiss approximately 3,600 employees, accounting for around 5% of its workforce. The layoffs, which target employees identified as low performers, were announced through an internal memo and later confirmed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Meta had 72,400 employees as of September, and the impending cuts are part of a broader strategy to elevate performance standards. "I've decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster," Zuckerberg stated. He emphasized that these performance-based dismissals aim to ensure the company retains only the strongest talent while creating opportunities to "bring new people in."

For instance, Microsoft recently announced layoffs impacting less than 1% of its workforce for similar reasons, as reported by Business Insider.

The layoffs come during a period of transformation at Meta, coinciding with Donald Trump's expected return to the White House on January 20. Recent actions by Zuckerberg indicate an apparent shift toward conservative alignment, including private dinners with Trump and appointing a Republican to head Meta's public affairs division.

One notable policy change is Meta's decision to terminate its US fact-checking program, which was originally designed to combat misinformation on its platforms. The program faced backlash from conservative voices, who criticized it as a form of censorship. Under a revised system, users will now have the ability to add context to posts, a feature similar to the "Community Notes" on X (formerly Twitter), spearheaded by its owner Elon Musk.

In addition to the layoffs, Meta has scaled back its diversity initiatives and adjusted its content moderation policies. These changes include relaxed oversight of hostile speech across Facebook and Instagram, aligning with calls for reduced censorship.

The planned layoffs come on the back of a challenging period for Meta, which has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of misinformation, privacy concerns, and its role in shaping public discourse. The company has also been navigating a rapidly changing social media landscape, competing with platforms like X and TikTok, while simultaneously investing heavily in the metaverse.