Meta has told employees it plans to cut about 8,000 jobs, which is roughly 10% of its workforce. The move comes as the company shifts focus and prepares to invest more heavily in artificial intelligence. Staff were informed through a memo, with layoffs expected to begin on May 20.
In the message, Janelle Gale acknowledged the impact of the decision and tried to explain the reasoning behind it.
“I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances,” she wrote in the memo obtained by Bloomberg News.
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A spokesperson for Meta did not comment on the layoffs directly but confirmed that the memo and its details are accurate, according to FOX Business.
The cuts come at a time when several tech companies are trimming staff even as they ramp up spending on artificial intelligence. Microsoft Corp., for instance, has offered voluntary retirement to about 8,750 employees, which is around 7% of its U.S. workforce, as reported by Bloomberg.
In the memo, Janelle Gale said the layoffs are tied to the company’s broader push to streamline operations while freeing up resources for new priorities. As they say, these are “part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.”
In the memo, Janelle Gale acknowledged the human impact of the decision, saying the company is aware of what employees have contributed over the years.
READ: Meta to lay off 10% workforce starting May 20, more cuts planned (April 18, 2026)
“This is not an easy tradeoff, and it will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here,” she said.
She added that those affected will be offered strong support, including severance packages, help with job searches, and immigration assistance for employees who may need it.
The latest round of cuts follows earlier layoffs at Meta over the past few years. In November 2022, the company reduced its workforce by about 11,000 employees, or roughly 13%. It then went on to cut another 10,000 roles in the months that followed as part of a broader restructuring effort.
Despite those reductions, the company still had a workforce of nearly 79,000 employees as of Dec. 31, according to its most recent filing.