Meta to Lay Off 3,600 Employees for Efficiency

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to lay off approximately 3,600 employees, equating to about 5% of its workforce, due to performance issues. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced these performance-based cuts as part of a broader strategy to enhance efficiency and ensure the company has the 'strongest talent' by replacing underperformers with new hires. Employees will be notified of their layoff status by February 10, and those affected will receive generous severance packages. This decision aligns with Meta's recent strategic shifts, including the end of its third-party fact-checking program in the US and reduced diversity initiatives, aiming to reflect a focus on free expression. The layoffs and policy changes come amid Meta's efforts to realign its workforce and operations under Zuckerberg's declared 'Year of Efficiency'. The company had previously announced significant layoffs during the pandemic and continues to restructure in response to evolving technological and strategic goals.