Meta has announced the layoff of 3,600 employees, marking a new round of job cuts aimed at improving "performance" across the company.
This move follows previous rounds of layoffs over the last couple of years, which have reduced the company's workforce by 25%.
However, CEO Mark Zuckerberg's decision to target employees he considers "low performers" has sparked backlash, with many affected workers disputing this characterization.
Zuckerberg's internal memo in January outlined the company's new approach to layoffs. He explained that Meta would now "move out low performers faster," signaling a shift from the traditional practice of giving employees time to improve over the course of a year.
However, several workers let go in this round claim the decision had less to do with performance and more to do with Meta's push toward AI initiatives.
Kaila Curry, a former Meta product content manager, took to LinkedIn to share her surprise at being included in the layoffs despite receiving an "exceeds expectations" rating in her mid-year review, DailyMail said.
Curry noted that she had frequently asked for feedback and was always told she was performing well. She also highlighted that she was never put on a performance improvement plan or given corrective feedback.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg framed the layoffs as targeting “low performers,” but some terminated employees say they have a history of high performance. https://t.co/RiOnqsc4J0
— Entrepreneur (@Entrepreneur) February 11, 2025
Did Parental Leave and Content Policy Disagreements Affect Meta's Latest Layoffs?
Instead, Curry speculated that her vocal opposition to changes in Meta's content policies might have played a role in her dismissal.
According to FastCompany another laid-off employee, Joshua Latshaw, a data scientist with Meta for five years, echoed similar concerns.
Latshaw shared his shock over his inclusion in the layoffs after consistently receiving positive reviews.
He also pointed out that the one "meets most expectations" rating he received occurred after he returned from parental leave, which some have speculated could have influenced the decision.
The layoffs are part of Zuckerberg's broader strategy to streamline Meta's operations, including a shift toward AI and machine learning. While the company's stock has been rising, the pressure to cut costs remains high as Meta continues to invest heavily in the metaverse.
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