Meta Reduces Workforce Across Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp Teams

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.

SEE ALSO
• 6,000 Meta jobs affected by latest round of layoffs
• Boeing to eliminate 17,000 jobs over the ‘coming months’
• Amazon Layoffs: Nearly 14,000 managers could be axed to cut costs

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.”

Employee support and next steps

Non-unionized employees in Canada affected by layoffs may be eligible for severance pay, which is determined by several factors, including role, tenure, and age.

Key facts about severance:

• Severance Pay: Can include up to 24 months’ pay in some cases, depending on specific circumstances.
• Components: Severance packages may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our free Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what your package should look like.
• Deadlines: Employees have up to two years from their termination date to review and negotiate severance entitlements. Deadlines set by employers for accepting severance offers are not legally enforceable.
• Need guidance? Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP for a severance review and expert advice.

Employees affected by the layoffs at Manulife can find additional details about their rights and options in our Manulife Layoffs resource.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains general severance rights on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

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?
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance during mass layoffs
• Severance entitlements in a recession

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.