Zuckerberg Targets Underperformers in Meta’s Latest Job Cuts

• Meta plans to lay off 5% of its workforce, potentially impacting 3,600 employees, to address underperformance.
• The company will notify U.S.-based workers affected by the cuts on February 10, following performance reviews.
• Meta is increasing its focus on AI projects while scaling back DEI initiatives and reshaping its leadership team.

Meta is gearing up to lay off approximately 5% of its staff this year, targeting underperformers in what CEO Mark Zuckerberg has labeled a push for greater efficiency. In a memo to employees, Zuckerberg shared plans to replace ousted workers with new hires and outlined a more aggressive approach to performance management.

Raising the Bar on Performance

Zuckerberg’s memo revealed a shift in how Meta handles low performance. “We usually address performance issues over the course of a year, but this time, we’re accelerating the process,” he wrote. The company plans to notify U.S.-based employees impacted by the cuts on February 10, following performance reviews.

While the exact number of layoffs remains uncertain, Meta’s 72,000-strong workforce could shrink by about 3,600 employees if the 5% reduction materializes.

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Focusing on AI and Key Initiatives

The layoffs come as Zuckerberg anticipates an “intense year” for Meta, with increased investments in AI development and other critical projects. The company also recently scaled back DEI-focused initiatives and appointed Joel Kaplan, a Republican, as its top policy executive—moves that have sparked controversy and speculation about Meta’s evolving corporate priorities.

Past Cuts and the “Year of Efficiency”

This latest round of cuts follows the mass layoffs of 2023, which Zuckerberg dubbed the “year of efficiency.” Those cuts targeted middle management and marked a shift in the company’s operations. Meta’s spokesperson confirmed the memo but declined to comment further on the upcoming layoffs.

As Meta tightens its belt and doubles down on performance, its workforce and organizational structure are being reshaped in pursuit of greater efficiency and strategic focus.