'Letting go of meaningful contributors': Read Meta's HR memo as it lays off 8,000 employees

In a significant move, Meta has disclosed plans to reduce its workforce by 10% on April 23, impacting approximately 8,000 employees across various departments. The company will also be eliminating over 6,000 job openings as part of this initiative. This decision has been anticipated for several weeks and was previously reported by multiple news outlets. An internal memo, shared with Bloomberg, confirmed the layoffs as Meta increases its investment in artificial intelligence. Alarmingly, the company is expected to conduct another round of layoffs later this year, potentially affecting an additional 10% of its workforce. The internal communication from Meta’s leadership stated, "Over the last few weeks, we have been working on some changes to our organization that will result in us laying off around 10% of the company on May 20, and closing about 6,000 open roles. Normally, we would want to nail down more details before communicating this broadly, but since this has leaked, I want to share what I can right now." Acknowledging the distressing nature of this news, the memo emphasized the necessity of these actions for the company's efficiency and future investments. It confirmed that the layoffs would mean parting ways with individuals who have significantly contributed to Meta's success. To support those affected, Meta will offer a comprehensive severance package in the U.S., which includes 16 weeks of base pay plus two additional weeks for each year of service. Additionally, the company will cover COBRA healthcare costs for U.S. employees and their families for a period of 18 months. The severance packages for employees outside the U.S. will be similar but will vary based on local regulations and practices. Meta will also provide career services to assist laid-off employees in finding new job opportunities and will offer immigration support to those in need. More information will be shared in a follow-up communication before May 20. The memo reassured employees that notifications regarding layoffs would be sent via email to both work and personal accounts, encouraging everyone to ensure their personal email is current in the system. Employees are left with a month of uncertainty, and while Meta aims to address questions in the comments section, details will remain limited until further announcements are made in May.