Recently laid-off employees at Meta are expressing concerns that the job cuts announced on Wednesday will be followed by more layoffs in the coming months, despite CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s assurances that no additional cuts were planned for this year.
Brittany Pearson, a content designer from Dallas who spent over four years at Meta, mentioned that she felt a sense of relief after her dismissal, as she had been anticipating the impact of AI on her role.
“If we remain, we’ll need to start retraining for new positions that AI can’t replace. But, we should brace ourselves for more layoffs, apparently happening in August,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing her thoughts along with other former employees.
“This situation is not normal. It’s not healthy,” she added in a video that lasted about two minutes.
Pearson’s comments about potential future layoffs stand in contrast to Zuckerberg’s statement that there would not be any more layoffs at the company in 2023.
“I want to make it clear that we do not expect any further company-wide layoffs this year,” Zuckerberg stated, according to reports.
He also acknowledged that the company could improve its communication regarding such important matters.
On Wednesday, Meta confirmed previously disclosed plans to cut approximately 10% of its workforce, estimated to impact around 8,000 jobs, as the company directs billions toward AI developments and reorganizes around this technology.
Internal messages indicated that the job reductions were part of efforts to make the company more efficient, with many employees being shifted to AI-related roles.
Online, current and former personnel described a workplace atmosphere marked by ongoing layoffs, declining morale, and anxiety about AI taking over more jobs in Silicon Valley.
Some voiced their frustrations on the workplace forum “Blind,” where postings are anonymous but verified via work email.
A Difficult Layoff
One of the dismissed employees revealed she was seven months pregnant when she lost her job at Meta.
“I’m devastated to receive this news. I’ve informed my manager about my pregnancy and requested maternity leave. I’m due in July, so the timing is quite off…now I’m unsure how to manage everything while feeling this immense stress,” she shared.
Another laid-off employee described feeling shame for not being let go during the layoffs.
“Please don’t think those who were cut underperformed. I’m just your average employee, and it’s unfortunate that I survived while my teammates were let go,” he remarked.
Before the layoffs began, another employee mentioned the dire need for mental health care among their colleagues.
“The daily disrespect and turmoil we face is staggering. Meta employees need support after enduring such harsh layoffs and restructuring. Our mental well-being is at an all-time low,” they expressed.
The Post reached out for comments from Meta and Pearson.
Pearson remarked that this wave of layoffs felt distinctly different from previous instances.
“Previously, I had the mindset of just needing to get through this. If I made it, I thought things would eventually return to normal,” she reflected.
“This feels like just the beginning of a move toward eradicating these roles entirely due to AI—not just at Meta, but throughout the industry.”
Future Uncertainty
Employees impacted by this week’s layoffs indicated that Meta might conduct “performance-based” layoffs later this year, which they believe will not be seen as mass layoffs.
Regarding Zuckerberg’s reputation, one worker did not hold back, stating, “He gives nothing. He is fixated on profits.” They expressed that morale at Meta has tanked amid worries that AI could eliminate jobs in the tech sector.
“The security and longevity of our positions aren’t what they used to be,” the employee remarked. “Many seem to be searching for ways to exit the tech industry completely.”
“In the past, if you were let go from Meta, opportunities at companies like Google or Amazon were readily available. Now, knowing it’s due to AI, you might find a role elsewhere, but could face layoffs again six months later,” they noted.
There’s also rising pressure internally to apply Meta’s AI tools in daily tasks, even if it results in replacing work that employees feel they can handle themselves.
“We are tracking AI usage closely,” the employee stated.
During the restructuring, managers appeared particularly anxious, as some were pushed into lower-level roles amidst the flattening of the organizational structure, according to sources.
“The fear among managers is palpable,” the worker concluded.
