Meta Plans Layoffs of About 8,000 Employees This Week

Meta will notify about 8,000 employees of layoffs on Wednesday, according to a company-wide memo sent on Monday. m. in each worker's local time zone. The reductions represent about 10 percent of the company's nearly 80,000 employees.

Employees have been using remaining annual benefits before the cuts take effect. Two employees described a rush to spend a $2,000 flexible benefit that covers health and wellness expenses. A separate $200 triennial credit for audio gear has prompted purchases of headphones including Apple AirPods.

Offices have been largely empty this week as staff focus on updating résumés and meeting with colleagues outside company facilities. Some teams have scheduled gatherings at bars and restaurants near Meta offices in New York and Menlo Park on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Management has encouraged employees not to report to offices on Wednesday.

Meta is transferring 7,000 remaining employees to AI initiatives and converting some managers into individual contributor roles. The combined effect of layoffs and reassignments will affect 20 percent of the current workforce, Reuters reported on Monday.

WIRED independently confirmed the reporting. The company has conducted three prior large-scale layoffs since 2022. Some parts of the company have been told they will not be affected by the current round. Employees have shared internal checklists of benefits to use and saved performance reviews and pay stubs, according to one worker.