Meta Layoffs Spark Outrage: Employees Call Company Culture 'Cruel'

Workers Express Betrayal Over Performance-Based Cuts and Job Insecurity

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is facing intense backlash following its latest round of job cuts. CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the layoffs as part of a performance-based evaluation, but employees are speaking out, claiming the term is being misused to justify widespread dismissals. Many former workers, including those on parental and medical leave, allege that they were blindsided by their termination, sparking heated discussions across online forums.

Meta’s Performance-Based Layoffs Raise Ethical Concerns

On Monday, Meta began implementing what it referred to as "performance-based layoffs," affecting approximately 3,600 employees—about 5% of its workforce. According to an internal memo reported by Bloomberg, Zuckerberg emphasized that these job cuts were necessary to streamline operations and remove underperformers. However, numerous employees dispute this characterization, arguing they had no history of failing to meet expectations.

One former worker told Business Insider, "Meta publicly stating they are laying off low performers feels like a scarlet letter. People need to know we weren’t underperformers." Meta has yet to issue an official response to these allegations.

Workers on Parental and Medical Leave Allegedly Targeted

Among the most contentious claims is the assertion that Meta terminated employees who were on approved leave. Discussions on the anonymous tech forum Blind reveal growing resentment, with numerous ex-employees stating they had received positive performance reviews before being let go.

One former employee shared, "I consistently exceeded expectations for multiple years, took parental leave after having a baby in 2024, and still got laid off." Another individual, who had been on maternity leave for six months, described their termination as "completely unexpected" and stated they were seeking legal advice. Others alleged that some workers received downgraded performance ratings while on medical leave, seemingly as a pretext for their dismissal.

"It was never about performance—it was about cutting costs," a former Meta employee wrote. They pointed out that even long-standing workers with nearly a decade of experience were laid off. Some have begun warning potential hires against joining the company, claiming, "Zuckerberg prioritizes the company’s bottom line over its employees."

The Changing Landscape of Silicon Valley’s Workforce

Meta’s layoffs come amid a broader shift in Silicon Valley’s corporate culture. Tech workers who once enjoyed job security, remote work flexibility, and strong DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are now facing a harsher reality. Companies, including Meta, have rolled back many worker-friendly policies, coinciding with increased support for conservative political figures and ideologies among tech executives.

Critics argue that this shift is deliberate. One Microsoft employee on Blind shared that a Meta worker was instructed to "find someone to fire" despite everyone on the team meeting or exceeding expectations. "These layoffs are a response to the worker power surge of 2021–2022. Executives want to regain control by instilling fear among employees."

Employees Express Distrust and Anxiety Over Future Job Stability

The fallout from these layoffs extends beyond those directly affected. Many remaining employees are questioning their own job security, with one Meta worker writing, "I don’t even know who to trust anymore." Another commented that a colleague with five years of consistently exceeding expectations was fired, suspecting that "managers are using the system to eliminate people they personally dislike."

Meta's reputation is taking a hit as disillusioned employees continue to share their experiences. On Blind, one disgruntled worker described the company as "the cruelest tech employer out there." Others suggest that Meta now favors younger employees without family responsibilities, who can dedicate themselves solely to work. "If you have a life outside of work, you might not fit into Meta’s new vision," one Amazon employee commented.

What Lies Ahead for Meta’s Workforce?

As more details emerge, questions persist about the ethics of Meta’s approach to workforce management. Employees past and present argue that the company’s actions signal a fundamental change in Silicon Valley’s employment landscape—one where job security is increasingly elusive, and performance metrics can be manipulated to justify downsizing. With trust in leadership eroding, Meta may face not only reputational damage but also legal challenges from employees who believe they were wrongfully terminated.

For now, the uncertainty surrounding Meta’s employment practices leaves workers—both inside and outside the company—wondering who might be next.