Meta Layoffs: Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp teams affected

What’s happening at Meta?

The tech giant has reportedly begun cutting jobs across various departments, including Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

“A few teams at Meta are making changes to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals and location strategy,” spokesperson Dave Arnold said in a statement shared with The Verge.

“This includes moving some teams to different locations, and moving some employees to different roles. In situations like this when a role is eliminated, we work hard to find other opportunities for impacted employees.”

The reduction comes just months after Meta scaled back the size of its Reality Labs team in June.

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Employee reaction

Several Meta employees, including Jane Manchun Wong, posted on social media that they were let go.

“Still trying to process this, but my role at Meta has been impacted, Wong said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Thank you to everyone for my wild journey at Meta.”

Impact on Canadian staff

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has already been contacted by multiple employees at Meta.

Our experienced employment lawyers are following up with affected staff and reviewing their severance offers.

Your rights

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Meta are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This applies to individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. In some cases, this can also apply to independent contractors.

Severance is the compensation provided to non-unionized workers in Canada by their employer when they are terminated without cause.

It can be as much as 24 months’ pay—depending on a variety of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains why you are still owed severance if you have been downsized on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Severance offers and deadlines

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay. 

An employer’s deadline to sign back a severance offer isn’t legally enforceable or binding.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for tech sector staff
• Severance entitlements in a recession

Major layoffs continue

The latest workforce reduction at Meta comes amid a flurry of job cuts in 2024.

Big names, including Deloitte, Loblaw, Ricoh, ApplyBoard, Qualcomm, Atlantic Music Group, and IBM, have pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• CareerBuilder + Monster lays off 15% of staff: Report
• Air Transat considering job cuts amid financial turbulence 
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and should not be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.