Red Monday at meta: Layoff notices to hit 3,600 employees

Meta is set to begin its planned layoffs, impacting approximately 3,600 employees identified as low performers, with notifications starting February 10 in most countries. This move comes as the company pushes forward with hiring machine learning engineers and other critical roles, signaling a strategic shift in its priorities.

Layoff Details and Notification Process

Meta will begin notifying affected employees on Monday, February 10, starting at 5 a.m. local time in most countries, including the United States. Terminated employees will receive notifications via work and personal email addresses, with access to company systems cut off within an hour. Severance package information will be included in the notification emails, and employees will retain their February 15 stock vesting and bonus eligibility, if applicable.

Exemptions and International Rollout

Due to local regulations, employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt from Monday's cuts. Notifications for employees in more than a dozen other countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa will be sent between February 11 and February 18.

Meta's Strategy and Hiring Priorities

Despite the layoffs, Meta is expediting the hiring of machine learning engineers and other "business critical" engineering roles. This process will take place between February 11 and March 13. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has described this period as an "intense year" focused on building key technologies like AI and the metaverse. He aims to ensure Meta has the best people on its teams.

Broader Tech Industry Trends

Meta's layoffs align with a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Salesforce also planning or implementing workforce reductions. Salesforce is eliminating over 1,000 jobs while simultaneously hiring staff to sell AI products