Meta Considers Layoffs: 600 Employees, Following 11,000 Last Year

Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company overseeing popular social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, is reportedly considering a significant reduction in its workforce, potentially affecting approximately 600 employees. This workforce reduction is expected to target employees within the Reality Lab department of the company, according to a report by Reuters.

Within the Reality Lab division, the Facebook Agile Silicon Team, commonly known as FAST, is responsible for the development and production of custom chipsets tailored for Meta’s various technological needs.

Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly planning to lay off a significant number of highly skilled employees, specifically those working within the Facebook Agile Silicon Team (FAST) unit, which comprises around 600 employees. The FAST unit is responsible for the development and production of custom chipsets designed to enhance the performance and functionality of Meta’s product lineup.

This decision to reduce the workforce in the FAST unit comes in the wake of challenges faced by the team in producing chipsets that can effectively compete in the market. As a result, Meta has sought the assistance of Qualcomm to manufacture chips for its existing devices, a move aimed at addressing the competitive landscape in the technology sector.

As part of its strategic response to these challenges, Meta has reportedly undergone a restructuring process and appointed a new executive to lead the FAST unit. This restructuring is seen as a proactive measure to realign the company’s capabilities and resources in a manner that enhances its competitiveness and adaptability within the rapidly evolving tech industry.

Meta Platforms Inc. has reportedly communicated its plans for employee layoffs directly to its workforce. Employees received this information through Meta’s internal professional networking platform. It’s important to note that, as of now, the company has not issued an official public announcement regarding these layoffs.

The decision to inform employees internally before making a public announcement is a common practice in many organizations, allowing them to manage the transition and support affected employees effectively.

Meta Platforms Inc. has taken significant workforce reduction measures in recent months, which include laying off approximately 13% of its total employees. In November of the previous year, the company initiated a round of layoffs that affected around 11,000 employees, constituting roughly 13% of its workforce at the time.

Additionally, in March of the current year, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, indicated the company’s intention to further streamline its workforce by eliminating an additional 5,000 open job positions. These measures reflect Meta’s strategic efforts to optimize its operations, manage costs, and reallocate resources to meet its evolving business priorities.

The reported layoffs at Meta Platforms Inc. may have implications for several major projects led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, including initiatives related to augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Meta’s strategic focus on creating immersive experiences and building the metaverse, a virtual shared space, is a key element of the company’s future vision.

One of these significant projects involves the development of AR glasses, which aim to seamlessly blend the physical and digital worlds, providing users with immersive augmented reality experiences. Layoffs in the company, particularly among specialized teams working on AR and VR technology, could potentially impact the progress and resources dedicated to these projects.