Meta has initiated another round of employee layoffs, affecting various divisions, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs, as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts. Unlike the mass layoffs seen in previous years, these cuts are more targeted and coincide with the company’s strategy to realign resources with long-term objectives. The move is part of Meta’s broader goal to improve efficiency across its different departments.
Several employees, including Jane Manchun Wong, who gained recognition for her work reporting unannounced app features before joining Meta’s Threads team, have already posted about their terminations.
A company spokesperson, Dave Arnold, confirmed that certain teams are changing to align with Meta’s long-term strategic goals and location strategies. In some cases, teams are being moved to different locations, while some employees are transitioning into new roles. Arnold emphasized that Meta is making efforts to find alternative positions for those impacted by the layoffs.
Latest in a series of employee lay-offs
This latest round of job cuts follows earlier ones within the Reality Labs division in 2023. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, previously referred to 2023 as the “Year of Efficiency,” with the company aiming to cut costs after overestimating its growth potential following the pandemic. Since November 2022, Meta has laid off around 21,000 employees, beginning with 11,000 cuts in 2022, followed by 10,000 more in 2023. These efforts have led to a significant improvement in the company’s stock, which has surged over 60% this year.
In addition to the restructuring, Meta faced further controversy after it reportedly terminated two dozen employees in Los Angeles for allegedly misusing their daily meal credits to purchase household items. While these terminations are separate from the restructuring, they underline the company’s ongoing efforts to manage costs and maintain a leaner workforce.
Despite the uncertainty for many employees, Meta’s cost-cutting measures appear to have satisfied investors, as the company continues to focus on aligning its resources with its evolving goals.
