Meta cuts 5% of jobs and fires “low performers” faster

Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is preparing to cut around 5% of its global workforce as it aims to shed “underperforming talent faster.”

In a memo to employees, President Mark Zuckerberg said the company had decided to accelerate regular performance-based layoffs in anticipation of a “tumultuous year.”

He said the company would “fill” the role in the second half of 2025.

The company, which employs about 72,000 people worldwide, did not say how the job cuts would be distributed around the world.

According to Zuckerberg’s memo, affected U.S. workers will know by February 10th. Those outside the United States will be notified “later.”

“This is going to be an intense year and I want to make sure we have the best talent on our team,” he wrote.

“We decided to raise the bar on performance management and fire low-performing employees sooner.”

The move comes on the heels of other big decisions by Zuckerberg, including moves to end the company’s fact-checking and diversity programs.

Performance-based layoffs are common in American companies. Zuckerberg said metas typically unfold over the course of a year, but this year the process will be accelerated.

Approximately 3,600 people may be affected by this measure. They will receive “generous severance packages,” he said.

Meta’s last major layoff was in 2023, when the company cut around 10,000 jobs as part of cost-cutting measures after Zuckerberg declared this year the “year of efficiency.” went. Approximately 11,000 roles will be cut in 2022.

Zuckerberg also appears to be overhauling his public image.

In a recent podcast with Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg said he thinks companies need more “masculine energy” and that he can express himself more fully than in a corporate role. He said he feels and enjoys martial arts.

“When you run a company, people usually don’t want you to be a ruthless person who crushes your competitors,” he said. “But when you’re fighting, it’s like no.”

“I think in a way, when people see me competing in this sport, they think, ‘Oh, this is a real mark.’