Mass Layoffs Hit Meta’s WhatsApp and Instagram Teams | Tech News

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Meta has initiated another round of layoffs impacting employees across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Reality Labs. This move is part of the company’s ongoing restructuring to align resources with long-term strategic goals. Affected employees have taken to social media to share their experiences, while Meta promises to support those impacted by finding new opportunities within the company.

Meta, the company behind WhatsApp and Instagram, is letting go of more employees as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts. This latest round of job cuts affects teams working on Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp, according to recent reports.

Still trying to process this but my role at Meta has been impacted. Thank you to everyone for my wild journey at Meta

If anyone is interested in working together on software/security, please reach out via my email / LinkedIn noted on my website

🫡

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 16, 2024

Meta hasn’t shared the exact number of people affected this time. However, the company confirmed that multiple teams are undergoing changes. “A few teams at Meta are making changes to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals and location strategy,” a Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch. This includes moving some teams to different locations and reassigning some employees to new roles.

Employee Reactions

Many Meta employees have expressed their feelings about the layoffs on social media. Jane Manchun Wong, who worked on the Threads team, shared her news on Threads: “I’m still trying to process this but I’m informed that my role at Meta has been impacted. Thank you to everyone, especially my Threads and Instagram teammates, for my wild journey at Meta.” She also added, “If anyone is interested in working together, especially on software/security engineering, please reach out via my email, LinkedIn, etc., noted on my personal website.”

Previous Layoff Rounds

This isn’t the first time Meta has had to let go of employees. In 2022, the company cut about 11,000 jobs, and another 10,000 were let go in 2023. These cuts were part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push for a “year of efficiency,” aiming to make the company more agile and cost-effective. “I got this wrong, and I take responsibility for that,” Zuckerberg said, acknowledging that Meta had overhired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Terminations

Apart from the team restructurings, the Financial Times reported that Meta also fired around two dozen employees in Los Angeles. These employees were let go for misusing their daily $25 meal credits to buy items like acne pads, wine glasses, and laundry detergent. These firings are separate from the broader layoffs and happened last week.

Meta’s Restructuring

Mark Zuckerberg has been open about the challenges Meta faces during these changes. In an earnings announcement in February 2023, he mentioned, “We may incur additional restructuring charges as we progress further in our efficiency efforts.” The goal is to streamline operations and focus on what’s most important for the company’s future.

 

 

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