Meta Layoffs: Severance Pay for Employees
Meta is a U.S.-based multinational technology company that owns and operates several popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Founded in 2004, the tech giant employs a global workforce of more than 83,000 people.
Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Meta has offices in nearly 40 countries and the company is planning to open a new Canadian technology hub in Toronto.
Meta Layoffs: Severance pay facts
Employees at Meta are entitled to up to 24 months of severance pay when laid off or terminated without cause, whether full-time, part-time, or hourly. Some independent contractors may also qualify for severance.
Key Severance Facts
- Severance Pay: Severance can reach up to 24 months’ pay and is calculated based on factors such as position, length of service, age, and ability to find similar work. Explore detailed information about severance pay in in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
- What’s Included: Severance packages should include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other compensation earned during employment.
- Deadlines: Employees generally have up to two years from the date of termination to pursue severance. Deadlines set by employers for accepting severance offers are not legally enforceable.
Note: We’ve assisted tens of thousands of individuals in a variety of roles, from entry-level to executive positions, in obtaining enhanced severance packages.
How is severance pay calculated for Meta employees?
Severance packages are designed to provide financial support during a career transition. Key factors include:
- Length of Service: Employees with longer tenure may be entitled to more compensation.
- Age: Older employees may receive additional severance, reflecting potential challenges in finding similar work.
- Position: Specialized roles or senior positions can lead to higher compensation.
- Availability of Comparable Roles: Severance may account for the ease or difficulty of finding equivalent employment.
- Employment Contracts: While some employment agreements attempt to limit severance, not all limitations are enforceable.
Many believe employees are only entitled to the minimum severance outlined in employment standards legislation. However, under common law, individuals may qualify for much more—up to 24 months’ pay. Use our Severance Pay Calculator to quickly estimate what you may be owed.
Failure to provide proper severance pay constitutes wrongful dismissal. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has extensive experience securing fair and full severance packages for thousands of clients.
To learn more about how severance works in Canada, watch this quick primer featuring employment lawyer Lior Samfiru:
What to expect during a layoff at Meta
Navigating a layoff can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can help you take the right steps:
- Communication: You’ll likely be informed of the layoff through a meeting or written notice. During this meeting, you may receive documents such as a termination letter, details about severance, and information on benefits.
- Review Documents Carefully: Avoid signing any paperwork immediately. Take the time to understand the terms and seek legal advice before agreeing to anything.
- Support Options: Your employer may offer resources like career transition services to assist you during this period.
- Severance Offers: Employers might set deadlines for accepting severance packages. Those deadlines aren’t legally binding—you have up to two years from the termination date to pursue your full entitlements.
Remember: You have the right to take your time and make informed decisions. Consulting an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you navigate this process confidently.
Meta Layoffs: Timeline and analysis
Below is a timeline of recent layoffs at Meta:
- October 2024: Meta has reportedly begun cutting jobs across various teams, including Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
- January 2024: Instagram has removed a layer of management — eliminating 60 technical program manager positions.
- May 2023: Meta is reportedly laying off as many as 6,000 employees near the end of the month, impacting its business teams and content moderation roles.
- April 2023: Roughly a month after announcing plans to cut approximately 10,000 jobs, Meta confirmed that layoffs have begun – including employees in various technical roles.
- March 2023: Meta announced that it plans to eliminate approximately 10,000 jobs and close around 5,000 additional open roles.
- November 2022: Meta is laying off more than 11,000 employees, or 13 per cent of its workforce, as it grapples with slowing growth. While the company’s Canadian office didn’t disclose how many employees are affected, several workers shared on social media that they had been let go.
- April 2016: Facebook announced that it is laying off 40 employees within its publisher ad-tech group. The division works across several products, including the Facebook Audience Network, the LiveRail video supply-side platform, and Instant Articles.
Steps to take if you’ve been laid off
If you’ve been impacted by layoffs, consider the following steps:
- Review Before Signing: Ensure any severance agreements are reviewed by an employment lawyer.
- Understand Your Entitlements: Use our Severance Pay Calculator for an estimate of your severance.
- Seek Legal Advice: Contact our team for a consultation to understand your rights.
- Keep Records: Save copies of termination notices, severance offers, and other relevant documents for reference.
Once you’ve taken the initial steps, it’s essential to work with experienced legal professionals to ensure your severance and rights are fully protected.
Why choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP
At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we focus on securing fair severance packages early in the process, helping employees avoid the time, expense, and stress of litigation whenever possible. With extensive experience representing non-unionized employees across various industries, we provide effective, client-focused solutions to navigate layoffs and secure what you’re owed.
If you’ve been laid off, our experienced employment lawyers are here to guide you. We offer tailored advice for employees in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, ensuring your rights are protected. Beyond employment law, we also handle disability claims and personal injury cases, providing comprehensive legal support.
Let us help you through this challenging time. Contact us today or call 1-855-821-5900 to get started.
Additional resources for employees
- Severance for provincially regulated employees
- Severance pay by company
- Severance packages in mass layoffs
- Termination for cause: Why severance may still be owed
- Wrongful Dismissal: What it is and how to respond
- Employment rights when a business closes
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.
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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