Meta employees rush to use benefits ahead of planned layoffs

In short: As Meta prepares to cut about 10 percent of its workforce, some employees are rushing to use company perks and prepare for sudden job loss.

What's going on

Several Meta employees told Wired that people are using benefits they worry they may lose once layoffs happen. Two workers described a rush to spend an annual $2,000 flexible benefit, which can cover health and wellness costs. Others are quickly using a $200 credit for audio gear, with some buying items like Apple AirPods.

Employees also said many offices have been unusually empty. Some workers are focusing on updating their résumés and meeting friends away from the office. A few described the mood as “paralyzed,” “coasting,” or “panicked.” It is a bit like people packing their bags before a storm, even if they do not know exactly where it will hit.

Meta plans to lay off about 10 percent of its nearly 80,000 employees on Wednesday, according to a company memo cited by Wired. Notices are expected to go out at 4 am local time, to both personal and work email addresses. The cuts come even as Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has reported record high profits.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said the company wants to free up money for AI data centers, which are large buildings full of computers that help run AI systems (like warehouses for computing power). Meta did not immediately respond to Wired’s request for comment.

What to watch

Reuters also reported that Meta plans to move about 7,000 employees into “AI initiatives” and change some managers into non-manager roles, meaning up to 20 percent of the workforce could be laid off or reassigned. The next few days should show how large the reshuffle is, and which teams are spared.

Source: Wired