Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is facing intense criticism from employees following its latest round of layoffs. On Monday, the company dismissed around 3,600 workers—about 5% of its workforce—citing performance-based reasons. However, many of those affected are pushing back against this narrative, claiming they had no history of poor performance.
Workers Reject “Underperformer” Label
Disgruntled employees have taken to social media and anonymous forums to challenge Meta’s reasoning for the layoffs. Many argue that being categorized as “low performers” has unfairly tarnished their reputations.
“The hardest part is Meta publicly stating they’re cutting low performers, so it feels like we have the scarlet letter on our backs,” an affected worker told Business Insider. “People need to know we’re not underperformers.”
Meta has yet to address these concerns directly.
Layoffs During Approved Leave Spark Backlash
Adding to the controversy, several former employees claim they were let go while on approved leave, including parental and medical leave.
“I consistently exceeded expectations for multiple years, had a baby in 2024, and then got laid off,” one employee shared on Blind, a platform where tech workers discuss workplace issues anonymously. Others echoed similar experiences, stating that workers on leave were disproportionately targeted.
One employee, who had just returned from six months of maternity leave, stated they had no history of below-average performance and were now seeking legal counsel. Another worker alleged that some employees were deliberately pushed to lower performance ratings while on medical leave, suggesting financial motives rather than genuine performance concerns were driving the cuts.
Employees Criticize Meta’s Workplace Culture
Beyond the layoffs, employees are also voicing frustration over what they perceive as Meta’s declining workplace culture. Many believe the company is prioritizing cost-cutting over employee well-being.
“Seems it was more about money than performance,” said one affected worker, highlighting that even employees with nearly a decade of experience were dismissed.
One former employee described Meta as “the cruelest tech company out there,” while another suggested that the company now favors younger workers without families, who can dedicate all their time to work.
Changing Landscape in the Tech Industry
Meta’s layoffs reflect a larger trend in the tech industry, where job security has become increasingly uncertain. Companies have been reducing flexibility, enforcing return-to-office mandates, and scaling back diversity and inclusion initiatives. Some believe these changes are part of a broader shift to regain control over employees after the worker-friendly job market of 2021 and 2022.
A Microsoft employee on Blind shared that a friend at Meta was asked to identify someone to fire—even though all team members were meeting or exceeding expectations. “All of these layoffs this year are payback for 2021–2022,” they wrote. “Executives were terrified of the power workers had at that time and saw those salaries as unsustainable. The best way to stop that is to put the fear of God back in the workers.”
Growing Distrust in Leadership
These layoffs have further eroded employee trust in Meta’s leadership. One worker summed up the sentiment, saying, “It’s so sad. Don’t even know who to trust at this point.” Another claimed that some managers had abused the performance rating system to remove employees they simply did not like.
Meta’s corporate culture has undergone a noticeable shift in recent years. Once shaped by former COO Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in” philosophy, the company has moved in a different direction under Mark Zuckerberg. In a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg stated that companies need more “masculine energy,” reflecting a shift in Meta’s approach to leadership and workplace dynamics.
As the backlash continues, Meta’s handling of these layoffs may have lasting consequences on its reputation and employee morale in the tech industry.
