Meta to Fire Over 3,000 Employees as Zuckerberg Focuses on Efficiency
Zuckerberg's Strategy: Efficiency and Cuts Amid Concerns Over Morale

ISLAMABAD: Meta recently transitioned Facebook’s fact-checking system from professional oversight to a community-driven model. Now, the company is going further, with Zuckerberg announcing plans to cut 5% of its workforce to address performance issues.
Performance-Based Workforce Reductions
In an internal memo to employees, Zuckerberg outlined his aggressive approach to managing performance, stating that Meta will move out low-performing employees faster than before. Previously, the company evaluated employees over a year. Now, Meta will implement extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle to increase productivity and focus on hiring more motivated individuals.
The CEO emphasized:
I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster.
With Meta employing around 72,000 people, the planned 5% reduction will impact approximately 3,600 employees. Affected workers are expected to be notified by February 10th. This decision follows a similar round of layoffs in October 2023, where Meta let go of 10,000 employees as part of a larger effort to optimize operations.
Operational Changes
Zuckerberg’s strategy appears aimed at fostering a leaner, more efficient organization capable of moving swiftly toward its goals. Alongside workforce reductions, Meta has made operational changes, including alterations to its fact-checking system and criticism of competitors like Apple. These moves, however, have sparked concerns about employee morale and retention, especially given the impact of repeated layoffs.
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Broader Implications
Meta’s efforts to prioritize performance and efficiency align with its long-term goals but will likely challenge its workforce dynamics. With the company navigating an intense year, employees face uncertainty, while Meta looks to redefine itself amid ongoing operational shifts.