Jobaaj Stories
Meta’s recent job cuts have left several employees shocked, especially those who believed they were performing well. The company laid off nearly 4,000 workers, including employees who had received positive performance reviews in their mid-year assessments.
Employees Received Positive Reviews Before Layoffs
Several employees reported that their mid-year reviews in 2024 rated them as "At or Above Expectations." However, they were later informed that their year-end ratings had been downgraded to "Meets Most," a lower tier in Meta’s performance review system. This downgrade made them eligible for the job cuts announced on Monday.
Some affected employees expressed confusion, stating they had no prior warning or indication of poor performance.
Internal Guidance Allowed Inclusion of Higher-Performing Employees
Meta had initially framed these layoffs as targeting low-performing employees. However, internal documents revealed that managers were allowed to include workers from higher performance tiers if they couldn’t meet the company’s reduction targets. This policy was reportedly not shared with all employees, leaving many blindsided by the decision.
Employees Feel Misrepresented by Meta’s Narrative
Many laid-off employees have spoken out, saying that Meta’s claim of only cutting low performers is misleading. Some even shared screenshots of their performance history on Workplace, Meta’s internal communication platform.
One affected employee who had consistently met or exceeded expectations for four years stated: “I am super confused about how I got terminated. I still think this is an error.”
Another worker who recently returned from parental leave also found themselves on the layoff list despite a positive performance rating earlier in 2024.
Downgrades Without Explanation
Some employees reported that they were dropped multiple ratings without any explanation. One individual with an "Exceeds Expectations" mid-year review said they were suddenly downgraded to "Meets Most."
Another employee shared that their manager never indicated their job was at risk. “We were told that if we were impacted, we would know in advance. But my manager always told me I was doing great. I was completely blindsided.”
Employees also claimed they could not access the feedback their managers provided, leaving them without clarity on why their ratings changed.
Meta’s Workforce Strategy: Layoffs & AI Hiring
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been focused on streamlining the workforce as the company invests heavily in artificial intelligence and virtual reality. This restructuring could lead to layoffs becoming an annual occurrence. At the same time, Meta is increasing the hiring of machine learning engineers to boost its AI capabilities.
The Impact of Meta Layoffs on Employees’ Careers
Some employees fear that being labeled as a "low performer" by Meta could impact their future job prospects. “The hardest part is Meta publicly stating they’re cutting low performers. It feels like we have a scarlet letter on our backs,” one former employee said.
Another worker stated: “I would challenge Meta’s narrative. Based on my past feedback, I cannot believe I was a low performer.”
Meta is laying off 5% of its 'lowest performers,' cutting around 4,000 jobs starting today. This follows Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that the company will 'move out low performers faster,' stating that 2025 will be an intense year for Meta.
— Blind (@TeamBlind) February 10, 2025
Why do you think layoffs in the… pic.twitter.com/cFKJOtYbpr
Conclusion
The recent Meta layoffs have left many employees feeling misled and frustrated. Despite Meta's claims of cutting low performers, internal policies allowed higher-rated employees to be included in the reductions. As the company shifts its focus toward AI and virtual reality, more job cuts could be expected in the future.
