Meta Lays Off 10% of Workforce Starting May 20, 2026

Meta announced plans to lay off about 10% of its staff on May 20, 2026, according to a company statement. The tech giant made the disclosure on Thursday, outlining the cuts in an internal memo after the news leaked. Business Insider reported that the long notice period has placed employees in a state of ambiguity, with nearly a month before the layoffs take effect.

The announcement acknowledged that it puts everyone in an uneasy state, as stated in the memo. Meta employees, including top performers, likely feel unsettled because such layoffs are not necessarily tied to individual performance. One worker described the uncertainty as '28 days of hell,' Business Insider reported.

A former senior HR manager at Meta said workers often try to prove their value by coming up with arbitrary projects and ideas. Their goal is to 'prove their worth because they're really trying to control the uncontrollable.' She noted that this impulse is driven by fear, leading employees to overextend in efforts to stand out.

Many employees are probably thinking 'this could be me,' a former Netflix chief talent officer said. Layoffs create anxiety, prompting a tough choice between hustling harder or hunting for a new job. A former head of HR at Yahoo and Southwest Airlines said Meta had little choice but to confirm the plans once the news leaked.

'As we say here in Texas, the barn door is already open, and the horses are running,' she stated. A former Google head of human resources said that in sweeping cuts like Meta's, the individuals being let go have likely already been identified. 'Working harder in the final weeks won't move the needle,' he stated.

He recommended using the time to network and line up the next move, adding that if employees survive the cut, they lose only a few hours, but if not, starting outreach early provides a leg up. A cohost of the 'HR Besties' podcast and a former head of human resources in North America at McKinsey said continuing to show up and do the job can still matter.

'Others may notice your effort and advocate for you,' she stated.

She noted it could help secure recommendations from higher-ups for future roles, even if it does not necessarily prevent being laid off. Business Insider reported that workers should not expect much help from bosses, as managers may also be at risk. Most will be putting on their own oxygen masks before assisting others, a former Google head of human resources said.

The company is likely focused on preventing sabotage and retaining top performers during this limbo period. The layoffs follow Meta's previous cuts in 2023, which affected employees like the former senior HR manager. HR veterans emphasized that while going above and beyond may not save jobs, giving up is not the right move either.