Meta’s massive pitch into Metaverse development is losing the tech giant billions. With losses piling up, Meta managers have reportedly been told to identify a number of workers for layoffs. But how many people are the company looking to cut off?
Meta managers get ready for firing
In an email sent out to Meta managers, VP of Remote Presence and Engineering Maher Saab instructed low-level leaders to select employees for layoffs. Saab commanded leaders to identify low owrformers and submit their names as part of the company’s mass layoffs.
Via The Register, Saba wrote: “If a direct report is coasting or a low performer, they are not who we need; they are failing this company. As a manager, you cannot allow someone to be net neutral or negative for Meta.”
Meta’s move to lay off employees isn’t a new development. Amid tanking stock prices and Metaverse losses, CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed a desire to cull the herd. In a way to dampen the blow of constant losses, the company is looking for blame.
Just last month, Zuckerberg revealed that Meta would be cutting down on hiring expectations. In fact, thousands of proposed hires were suddenly wiped away in order to better hit previous projections.
Zuckerberg told staff:
"Part of my hope by raising expectations and having more aggressive goals, and just kind of turning up the heat a little bit, is that I think some of you might decide that this place isn't for you, and that self-selection is OK with me.”
Read More: Shanghai funnels $1.5 billion into its own Metaverse
Bad News at the Meta Royale?
Of course, Meta’s huge rebranding late last year put more eyes on the company than ever before. With the company’s Metaverse goals in everyone’s sights, so are its failures, and this will certainly be lumped in.
However, Meta is not the only company laying off employees. As companies face an economic recession, many are laying employees off to keep profits, and stocks, high. Unfortunately, everyday jobs are at the mercy of CEOs wanting more money.
Meta’s recent layoffs are concerning, especially considering the company’s history of near constant growth. Furthermore, the company is funnelling more money into its Metaverse hires, despite that sector losing the most. It’s a curious, and treacherous, time for the company.