Meta is increasing the number of employees categorized in its lowest performance tier during this year’s mid-year evaluations, following a wave of job cuts earlier this year. Managers have been instructed to classify 15% to 20% of staff on teams of 150 or more as “below expectations,” up from last year’s 12% to 15%, according to Business Insider.
The updated guidance includes both current employees and those who have already left the company under what Meta refers to as “nonregrettable attrition” — staff deemed nonessential, including those who resigned or were let go for performance reasons.
The mid-year review cycle, beginning June 16, will also be used to guide potential exits. Managers are directed to evaluate employees for possible removal based on recent disciplinary actions, performance plans, or a “below expectations” rating. Conversations tied to these reviews are scheduled to take place through July and August.
This strategy follows Meta’s earlier decision to lay off about 4,000 employees — roughly 5% of its workforce — in a move attributed to raising performance standards. Internal documents suggested these performance-driven reductions may become routine.
Company leadership at Meta has increasingly used performance reviews as a tool to reduce headcount and reinvest in higher-performing talent. This goes along with what other companies in the tech sector are doing; firms are prioritizing efficiency and leaning into AI initiatives.
Microsoft recently announced plans to cut 6,000 roles to restructure teams, and Google has reduced its top management layer by 10%.
Meta and tech companies are making it clear that in its new era of supposed AI-driven efficiency, there’s little room for second chances.
