Meta begins layoffs today, cutting 5% low-performing employees

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is set to begin a new round of layoffs, with job termination notices being issued from 5 a.m. local time on Monday. The cuts, described as 'performance terminations,' will primarily affect the lowest-performing 5% of employees. Unlike previous mass layoffs, Meta will keep its offices open on the day of the cuts and will not release a company-wide statement regarding the workforce reduction.

The job cuts will be global in scope, impacting employees across Europe, Asia, and Africa between February 11 and February 18. However, workers in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt from the layoffs due to strict labor regulations in these countries.

Janelle Gale, Meta’s Head of People, confirmed the timeline of the layoffs in a company post, stating that affected employees would receive their notices at 5 a.m. local time in most countries. The company has not specified how many workers will be impacted, but the layoffs come as part of Meta’s ongoing restructuring efforts to improve efficiency and streamline operations.

Despite these job cuts, Meta is continuing to prioritize hiring in key areas, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning. According to an internal memo from Peng Fan, Vice President of Engineering for Monetization, the company is expediting the hiring process for machine learning engineers and other critical roles between February 11 and March 13. This shift underscores Meta’s growing emphasis on AI development, as the company gears up for a more technology-driven focus in 2025.

Meta’s renewed focus on AI aligns with broader industry trends, where leading tech firms are intensifying investments in automation and AI capabilities while trimming workforce numbers in non-essential areas.

Meta is not alone in reducing its workforce in 2025. Several major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Stripe, have also conducted layoffs or implemented workforce restructuring in recent months.

• Google introduced a voluntary exit program for employees in its U.S. Platforms and Devices team, affecting its Android and Pixel divisions.
• Microsoft has intensified its focus on performance-based terminations, reportedly letting go of lower-performing employees, with some receiving no severance packages.
• Amazon cut approximately 200 jobs in its fashion and fitness divisions as part of a broader restructuring within its North America Stores team.
• Stripe laid off around 300 employees in its product, engineering, and operations teams, despite plans to increase its workforce by 17% by the end of 2025.
• Robinhood’s media arm, Sherwood, also reduced staff as part of a company-wide restructuring initiative.

As Meta moves forward with these workforce reductions, affected employees are bracing for uncertainty. While the company has not publicly addressed severance packages or transition assistance, past layoffs have included severance pay and job placement support. Employees not impacted by the cuts are expected to see role realignments as Meta doubles down on its AI and machine learning initiatives.

The latest round of layoffs signals a continued shift in the tech industry, where companies are focusing on automation, artificial intelligence, and cost efficiency. With a growing emphasis on AI, Meta’s workforce transformation reflects broader trends in Silicon Valley and beyond, where companies are preparing for the next wave of technological advancements while streamlining operations.