Meta has confirmed that it conducted layoffs across various teams on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. The company stated that these changes were part of a reallocation of resources to align with long-term strategic goals and location strategy.
Impacted Teams and Severance
While Meta did not disclose the exact number of employees affected, reports suggest that the layoffs impacted teams working on Threads, recruiting, legal operations, design, Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to sources, some laid-off employees received six weeks of severance pay.
Meta’s Ongoing Restructuring Efforts
These layoffs are the latest in a series of workforce reductions at Meta. In 2022, the company laid off approximately 11,000 employees (13% of its workforce), and in 2023, another 10,000 employees were let go, with 5,000 open roles eliminated. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged the need for these adjustments, citing over-hiring during the pandemic as a contributing factor.
Looking Ahead
Meta’s ongoing restructuring efforts reflect the challenges faced by many tech companies in the current economic climate. As the company continues to invest in its long-term vision, including the metaverse and artificial intelligence, it remains to be seen how these workforce adjustments will impact its future growth and innovation.