- By Aditya Pratap Singh
- Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Facebook Layoffs: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, has begun another round of layoffs targeting the bottom 5% of its workforce in terms of performance. The layoffs began on Monday, according to a notice issued by the technology company. Unlike previous layoffs, Meta’s offices will remain open and the company has decided not to issue an official statement on the decision.
The layoffs, known as “performance layoffs,” will affect employees worldwide, except in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, where local labour laws provide additional protections. Affected employees across Europe, Asia and Africa will be notified between February 11 and February 18.
Notifications will begin in the morning in most regions, Meta Chief People Officer Janelle Gill said in a memo. Despite the layoffs, the company is still prioritizing key role hires.
According to a separate note from Peng Fan, vice president of investment engineering at Meta, hiring for machine learning engineers and other key roles will accelerate between February 11 and March 13, underscoring Meta’s continued shift toward AI-focused initiatives in 2025.
Global layoff trend among tech giants
Meta is not alone in its workforce cuts, as other tech companies are also following the same trend. This year, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Stripe have all laid off employees, citing cost optimization and performance management.
Google recently introduced a voluntary exit program for employees in its US-based Android and Pixel divisions. Meanwhile, Microsoft has focused on reducing low-performing employees by not offering severance packages.
Amazon laid off about 200 people in its fashion and fitness division, while Stripe laid off 300 people from its products, engineering, and operations. However, Stripe recently announced plans to expand its workforce by 17% by the end of 2025, as part of a hybrid approach to downsizing and expansion.
Job security remains uncertain for many companies, even at traditionally stable ones, as the tech industry rebounds amid economic pressures and shifts to new technologies. For Meta, these layoffs represent a balancing act between cutting costs and driving future growth by doubling down on AI and machine learning.