Meta Announces Further Layoffs as Part of Ongoing Restructuring Efforts
Meta Platforms, the technology giant behind Facebook, is set to embark on another round of layoffs across multiple regions, impacting thousands of employees globally. The latest move, which is expected to commence on Monday, is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and align its workforce with its priorities for 2025.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Meta’s leadership has informed staff members of the impending layoffs through an internal memo. The document, reviewed by Reuters, outlines the company’s plans to notify employees in various countries, including the United States, starting from 5 a.m. local time on Monday. However, staff members in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands are exempt from the cuts due to local labor regulations.
In other countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, employee notifications will be rolled out between February 11 and February 18. The layoffs are reportedly targeting the “lowest performers,” with the company planning to backfill some of the positions. The move comes after Meta confirmed plans to trim its workforce by approximately 5% last month.
Notably, the latest round of layoffs has sparked concerns in Nigeria, where the company has faced criticism for its earlier workforce reductions in mid-2023. At least 35 employees, including the entire engineering team, were impacted in the previous round of layoffs. Meta subsequently trimmed down its office space in Lagos, citing a regular review process to optimize its real estate footprint. However, the company has acknowledged that it is no longer using engineers from Nigeria for its operations.
Interestingly, amidst its ongoing restructuring, Meta is actively hiring machine learning engineers and other business-critical engineering roles. A separate memo from Vice President of Engineering for Monetization, Peng Fan, has requested the assistance of current staff members to expedite the hiring process, which is set to take place between February 11 and March 13.
Meta’s decision to implement layoffs while actively seeking to hire for certain positions has raised questions about the company’s priorities. The move is also seen as a testament to the rapidly evolving technology landscape, which demands a highly adaptable workforce capable of adapting to changing priorities.
As Meta navigates this challenging period, concerns are emerging about the potential impact on its workforce, particularly in regions with limited job opportunities. The latest round of layoffs serves as a reminder of the ongoing disruption in the technology industry, where companies are constantly reevaluating their workforce and business strategies to stay competitive.
In a statement, Meta’s leadership seems to be taking a measured approach, emphasizing the importance of aligning its workforce with its priorities for 2025. The company’s commitment to its employees, even in the midst of layoffs, has been underscored by its efforts to maintain open offices and support employees through this transition.
Join our Channel...