Meta to cut 5% of lowest performers, plans to backfill roles in 2024

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, is set to remove approximately 5% of its lowest-performing employees as part of a broader restructuring effort, according to an internal memo circulated to employees. The move is aimed at increasing the company’s performance standards and optimising workforce productivity.

“I’ve decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low performers faster,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated.

“We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year, but now we’re going to do more extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle.”

The company projects a total of 10% “non-regrettable” attrition by the conclusion of the current performance cycle, with half of this stemming from planned exits in 2024. This would result in approximately 5% of current employees, who have received performance evaluations, leaving the organisation.

Zuckerberg assured employees that Meta would offer “generous severance” to those impacted.

The announcement follows a series of notable developments at Meta, including the removal of fact-checking operations in the US and key leadership changes.

Republican Joel Kaplan has been appointed as Meta’s global policy chief, and UFC CEO Dana White, known for his ties to former President Donald Trump, has been added to Meta’s board of directors.

Furthermore, Meta has rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, signaling a potential cultural shift within the organisation. Zuckerberg has recently expressed support for fostering “masculine energy” in companies, which has drawn attention across the corporate and tech sectors.