Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, is set to implement company-wide layoffs this week, impacting approximately 5% of its workforce. According to reports from Reuters, employees will begin receiving notifications at 5 AM PST today.
Internal memos reveal that Meta will simultaneously accelerate its hiring of machine learning engineers. While the layoffs will affect multiple countries, employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt due to local labor laws. Notifications for workers in other parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa will be sent between February 11 and February 18.
Meta previously confirmed plans to downsize by eliminating “lowest performers,” with some positions expected to be refilled. The company has termed these layoffs as “performance terminations,” a designation first reported by The Information. Unlike previous job cuts, Meta will keep its offices open on Monday and will not provide additional details about the decisions, according to a memo from Janelle Gale, Meta’s Head of People.
In a separate communication, Peng Fan, Meta’s VP of Engineering for Monetization, urged employees to help expedite the hiring process for machine learning engineers and other key technical roles. This recruitment drive will take place between February 11 and March 13.
Meta’s job cuts come amid a broader trend of layoffs in the tech industry in 2025. Google has introduced a voluntary exit program for employees within its US Platforms and Devices division, including teams working on Android and Pixel. The company cited last year’s merging of two large organizations as the rationale behind the move, emphasizing the need for streamlined operations and a focus on efficiency.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has ramped up performance-based layoffs, with reports indicating that some employees were dismissed without severance pay or continued healthcare benefits. Amazon has also announced job cuts, eliminating approximately 200 positions in its fashion and fitness divisions as part of a strategic effort to enhance operational efficiency within its North American stores team.
The wave of layoffs across major tech firms reflects ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at improving productivity and resource allocation amid changing industry dynamics.
