--- title: "Facebook Reportedly Laying Off Thousands of Employees" description: "Insider reports that Facebook is planning a mass round of \"quiet layoffs,\" which could impact up to 15 percent of the entire company." date: "2022-10-05" modified: "2022-10-05" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/facebook-reportedly-laying-off-thousands-employees" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "facebook" - "mark zuckerberg" - "Meta" - "the digest" --- # Facebook Reportedly Laying Off Thousands of Employees ![Insider reports that Facebook is planning a mass round of "quiet layoffs," which could impact up to 15 percent of the entire company.]() *Founder and CEO of US online social media and social networking service Facebook Mark Zuckerberg reacts upon his arrival for a meeting with European Commission vice-president in charge for Values and Transparency, in Brussels, on February 17, 2020. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images) \Image: Getty Images/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD \* ## Shhhh The full picture of Facebook-turned-Meta's [rumored layoffs]() is coming [further into focus]() — and, well, things aren't looking too good for the [metamates](). *Insider* [reports that the company]() is planning a mass round of "quiet layoffs," which could impact up to 15 percent of the entire company. For the folks at home, that number would equal roughly 12,000 employees. And the reason why they're being called — *whisper voice* — quiet layoffs? According to *Insider's* sources, Facebook has already started the process, which it plans to execute via shifting performance expectations rather than [outright firing hordes of staffers]() all at once. ## Rest in PIPeace *Insider*'s sources allege that last week — shortly before [the company Q&A]() where Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a hiring freeze and a plan to "manage out employees who aren't succeeding" — Zucko commanded managers to label 15 percent of their team members as someone who "needs support." Per Facebook's employee review process, anyone who "needs support" is then put on what they call a "performance improvement plan," or PIP. Although in this case, employees seem to believe that "PIP" actually translates to "You're Screwed." "These 15 percent will likely be put on PIP and be let go," one Facebook worker reportedly posted on an anonymous forum called Blind, a popular app in Silicon Valley. Once they're on PIP, sources say, employees will then have 30 days to either apply to another position in the company or depart entirely. Managers are at risk, too — one source alleged a number of them have already been PIP'd and told to find new jobs. "It might look like they are moving on," the source explained, "but the reality is they are being forced out." ## Needs Support But while Zuck is clearly wanting to keep this massive workforce slash on the hush-hush, Meta's last few quarters speak loudly (as does [randomly renting out the UFC Apex arena](), but we digress). Blows to its [advertising revenue stream]() have caused major setbacks, as has its [failure to compete]() with TikTok. Elsewhere, billions have been poured into the chief metamates's metaverse vision, which has [pretty much nothing]() to show for itself just yet. Basically, it's been a bad year, and Facebook has a lot to figure out. Might we suggest, perhaps, putting it on a performance improvement plan? The whole thing is clearly in need of some support. **More on the Facebook layoffs:** *[Layoffs Hitting Facebook as Zuckerberg's Vision Stumbles]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()