Meta to Lay Off 3,600 Employees While Planning to Recruit Fresh Talent
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to lay off approximately 3,600 employees, equating to 5% of its global workforce, CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed. According to an internal memo reported by Bloomberg, the layoffs will target employees deemed to be low performers, with plans to replace them with new recruits.
Meta’s workforce stood at roughly 72,400 employees as of September, and these cuts are part of what Zuckerberg described as a commitment to maintaining “the strongest talent.” He explained, “I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster.”
A Focus on Talent and Efficiency
The decision reflects a broader trend among major corporations in the United States that have adopted performance-based dismissals to optimize efficiency and productivity. Recently, Microsoft implemented a similar strategy, reducing its workforce by less than 1%, as reported by Business Insider.
While layoffs often spark concern, Zuckerberg emphasized that this move aims to bring in new talent better suited to Meta’s evolving goals. The restructuring also aligns with other significant changes taking place at the tech giant, particularly its shifting stance on content moderation and diversity initiatives.
Meta’s Strategic Shifts
The announcement comes at a time of broader strategic realignment for Meta, coinciding with the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025. Zuckerberg has drawn attention for his recent collaborations with conservative figures and policies.
Meta has discontinued its U.S.-based fact-checking program, which had been introduced to tackle misinformation on its platforms. This initiative had faced criticism, particularly from conservative voices, for allegedly curbing free speech. In its place, the company is adopting a more user-driven approach, allowing individuals to add context to posts—similar to features championed by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter).
Additionally, Meta has scaled back its diversity and inclusion programs and relaxed content moderation policies on Facebook and Instagram, including those governing certain types of controversial or hostile speech.
The layoffs, while significant, signal a dual strategy of workforce reduction and fresh recruitment. Meta’s focus on hiring talent that aligns with its revised priorities underscores its commitment to staying competitive and relevant in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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