Mark Zuckerberg announced he intends to cut Meta's headcount by a further 10,000 people this year while also closing 5,000 active roles at the company.
In a blog post, Zuckerberg explains how further efficiency work is required to "improve our financial performance in a difficult environment so we can execute our long term vision."
The main goal is to carry out what looks to be a major restructuring of the company that will flatten the organization and remove multiple layers of management in the process. Ultimately, it means a lot of jobs are set to disappear, just like they did during the first round of job cuts back in November last year.
Zuckerberg says the recruitment team will shrink first and recruiting team members who are losing their jobs will be told tomorrow. Tech groups at Meta will be told about job losses in April, and business groups will be told in May. There was no mention of massage therapists.
Once the restructuring is completed by the end of this year, hiring and transfer freezes will be lifted within the company. That suggests some employees who are set to lose their jobs over the summer may in fact be able to come back in 2024 (assuming they want to work for the company again after being fired).
The blog post goes on to explain how the leaner version of Meta will be more focused on technology and engineering, not areas outside of that as has been the case in recent years. Tools development will be a priority, with Zuckerberg ultimately looking for fewer developers working more productively, and preferably in person at the office rather than remotely. Low priority projects are set to be canceled, which leaves us wondering if the Instagram-branded Twitter alternative is on the cull list?
Thousands of Meta employees now await to hear their fate. Zuckerberg acknowledges his announcement creates a "challenging period" within the organization, but is urging everyone to "focus on what you can control" and "do great work and support your teammates."