Meta’s Latest Layoffs Spark Employee Backlash Against Zuckerberg
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is facing intense criticism from its former employees following the company’s most recent round of layoffs. The tech giant, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, recently cut around 3,600 jobs—approximately 5% of its workforce—under the guise of “performance-based layoffs. “However, many affected workers claim they had no history of poor performance and are now speaking out against the company’s leadership. Zuckerberg previously stated in an internal memo that these layoffs were intended to remove underperforming employees, a claim that many ex-workers strongly dispute. Employees have taken to social media and workplace discussion forums to share their frustrations, with some describing the layoffs as unfair and misleading. “The hardest part is Meta publicly stating they’re cutting low performers, so it feels like we have the scarlet letter on our backs,” one former employee told Business Insider. “People need to know we’re not underperformers. ”Despite the company’s justification, many employees who were laid off report having positive performance reviews, promotions, and years of dedicated service. They argue that Meta’s explanation is merely a cover for cost-cutting measures, raising concerns about the company’s transparency and ethics.
The backlash has extended beyond Meta’s former employees, with the broader tech industry taking note of the company’s actions. On Blind, an anonymous platform where tech employees discuss workplace issues, users have been sharing stories of Meta firing workers on parental or medical leave, further fueling outrage. One former Meta worker wrote, “[I] consistently exceeded expectations multiple years, had a baby in 2024, got laid off. ”Others have echoed similar experiences, claiming that employees with strong track records were dismissed while on approved leave. Another employee stated they had been on maternity leave for six months and had “no history of below-average performance” before being laid off. Now, they are seeking legal advice, suspecting their termination was unjustified. The layoffs also affected long-term Meta employees. One former worker, who had been with the company for nearly a decade, said, “Seems it was more about money than performance.” They warned prospective hires, saying, “Be careful about joining this company. Zuck doesn’t care about his employees. Only the company. ”The situation has led some employees to brand Meta as “the cruelest tech company out there.” Others believe that the company’s current environment is designed only for young, single workers without families or external responsibilities. Meta’s layoffs are part of a larger shift in the tech industry. Companies across Silicon Valley are increasingly prioritizing cost-cutting over employee retention, leaving workers feeling more vulnerable than ever.
Tech employees have been facing widespread layoffs, declining job security, and stricter return-to-office mandates. Meanwhile, some CEOs have been rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives while publicly aligning themselves with figures like former President Donald Trump, signaling a shift in corporate priorities. At Meta, workplace culture has also changed drastically. Once associated with Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in” feminism, the company has taken a different direction under Zuckerberg’s leadership. In a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg stated that workplaces need more “masculine energy,” a remark that drew criticism from employees who felt it reflected the company’s evolving—and arguably less inclusive—culture. A Microsoft employee on Blind shared an unsettling story about how Meta managers handled the layoffs. They claimed that a friend at Meta was instructed to “find someone” to let go, despite everyone on their team performing well. “All of these layoffs this year are payback for 2021–2022,” they wrote. “Execs were terrified of the power workers had at that time and saw the offers and pay at that time as unsustainable. Best way to stop that is to put the fear of God back in the workers. ”Another Meta employee expressed deep disappointment, saying, “It’s so sad. Don’t even know who to trust at this point.” Another comment described how managers used the layoffs as a way to fire people they personally disliked, rather than basing decisions on performance. As these stories continue to emerge, Meta’s reputation is taking a significant hit. The company, once a top destination for tech talent, now faces growing skepticism from both current and prospective employees.
The perception that Meta values profit over people has only been reinforced by these layoffs, leading many to question whether working for the company is worth the risk. Zuckerberg and Meta’s leadership have yet to directly address the growing backlash. Meanwhile, the layoffs serve as a stark reminder of how quickly Silicon Valley’s power dynamics can shift, leaving employees to wonder who might be next.
