Meta and Microsoft Plan Major Performance-Based Layoffs: Over 3,600 Roles Impacted

Global: Meta and Microsoft are gearing up for significant layoffs, targeting underperforming employees as part of their performance-driven restructuring strategies. Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is set to cut approximately 3,600 jobs—around 5% of its 72,000-strong workforce. The decision follows Meta's 2023 layoffs of 10,000 employees under its "year of efficiency" initiative.

In an internal memo, Zuckerberg emphasized a stricter approach to managing underperformance, stating, "We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year, but now we’re going to do more extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle."

Despite the layoffs, Meta plans to backfill roles in 2025, focusing on growth areas like artificial intelligence, smart glasses, and next-generation social media. Impacted U.S.-based employees will be notified by February 10, with layoffs for international teams occurring later.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is also following suit. Under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership, the company has a long-standing tradition of restructuring to maintain a high-performing workforce. Although the number of impacted employees is unclear, reports suggest cuts will span several critical divisions.

Both companies are pushing for performance efficiency in an era of innovation, setting high standards for employees while strategically positioning for the future.