Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is set to undergo another round of layoffs starting on Wednesday. This comes as the company seeks to streamline its operations and cut costs. According to sources familiar with the matter, the layoffs could affect as many as 4,000 employees across a wide range of technical teams working on Facebook, Instagram, Reality Labs, and WhatsApp.
In an internal memo sent to employees on Tuesday evening, Lori Goler, Meta’s head of people, confirmed the layoffs would begin on Wednesday and noted that they would impact various teams. Meta employees in North America will be notified by email between 4 am to 5 am PT on Wednesday morning, while the timelines will vary in other countries.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in March that the company would cut 10,000 more jobs in the coming months, following a previous round of layoffs in November 2022 that impacted 11,000 jobs. In a Facebook post, Zuckerberg mentioned that the cuts in April would affect tech departments, while another round of cuts in May would affect the business side of the company.
Sources who spoke with Vox on the condition of anonymity indicated that the layoffs were part of Zuckerberg’s plans for a “year of efficiency” in 2023. This marks a shift for the tech giant, which has enjoyed nearly two decades of uninterrupted growth, but now faces intense pressure to cut back and tighten its belt.
In the past year, almost every major tech company has undergone rounds of layoffs, and Meta’s have been particularly painful, with the company issuing cuts in waves. Zuckerberg acknowledged that the cuts would be tough, but necessary for the company’s long-term health.
The ongoing layoffs at Meta reflect the changing landscape of Silicon Valley, which is undergoing an economic downturn that has drastically changed what was once considered a free-spending work culture. Perks such as unlimited travel and nonstop hiring are a thing of the past, and tech companies are now under pressure to streamline their operations and cut costs to remain competitive.
The latest round of layoffs at Meta is part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s efficiency plan for the company. The layoffs will impact various technical teams working on Facebook, Instagram, Reality Labs, and WhatsApp. While these cuts will be painful for those affected, they are necessary for the company’s long-term health and reflect the changing landscape of Silicon Valley.