Meta Job Cuts: Meta employees were informed that their badges had been revoked. Access to internal systems would be removed.
Meta Layoffs: For thousands of Meta employees, their anxiety ended with the dreaded outcome they had feared for weeks. “Unfortunately, as part of today’s reorganization, your role has been eliminated.”
Then came another line: “If you are already in the office, we ask that you gather all personal belongings from your desk and head home.”
This email, obtained by Business Insider, landed in inboxes at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, as Meta began cutting approximately 8,000 jobs—representing about 10 percent of its workforce—while simultaneously shifting more than 7,000 employees to AI-focused teams.
The message was formal. Calm. Carefully worded. Yet, beneath the corporate jargon lay the reality of another massive restructuring within one of the world’s largest tech companies.
Meta described the layoffs as part of a “continuous effort to run the company better” and stated that the cuts would help “fund other investments”—a reference to the company’s major push into AI.
Employees were informed that their badges had been deactivated. Access to internal systems would be revoked. Within an hour, they would be redirected to Meta’s “Alumni Portal” for details regarding severance, visas, benefits, and job assistance.
“The impact you have made at Meta has been a vital part of our story,” the email read.
This marks Meta’s largest company-wide layoff since Mark Zuckerberg launched his 2022–23 “Year of Efficiency,” a period during which approximately 21,000 jobs have been eliminated across the company.
This time, the cuts were implemented as Meta has rapidly ramped up spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company has projected capital expenditures between $125 billion and $145 billion this year—more than double the spending in 2025.
Even amidst the employee departures, Meta was internally reorganizing around what Zuckerberg views as the next era of computing.
‘I can feel the weight of this’: Mark Zuckerberg
According to a report by Business Insider, in a separate memo sent to employees, Zuckerberg acknowledged the emotional toll of this decision.
“It is always sad to say goodbye to people who have contributed to our mission and helped build this company,” he wrote. “I feel the weight of this.” He also sought to reassure the remaining staff, stating that he does not anticipate any further layoffs at the company this year. Furthermore, he struck a grander tone regarding Meta’s future, describing it as “one of the few companies helping to define the future” and reiterating his goal of building “personal superintelligence” for users worldwide.
The severance package includes 16 weeks of base pay, plus an additional two weeks for every year of service at Meta. The company also stated that it would cover health insurance premiums for employees and their families for up to 18 months.
Workers will continue to receive their vested stock grants and accrued paid time off. Meta also offered three months of external job-search assistance through Lee Hecht Harrison.
However, for employees working on visas—particularly H-1B workers within the U.S. tech ecosystem—the uncertainty is significantly higher. Meta stated that an alumni portal would provide immigration guidance and contact details for assigned law firms.
‘Pack your things and leave’
Another detail emerged from the email.
Meta had previously instructed employees to work from home on the day the layoffs were set to begin. But for those who still made their way to the office campus, the email contained one final message: collect your belongings and leave.
And at the very end of the email—following instructions regarding severance agreements, visa assistance, badges, portals, and payslips—Meta offered a final word of thanks: “In closing, we would like to reiterate our gratitude for your contributions.”
Notably, as of March, the company employed approximately 78,000 people. Amidst layoffs and internal reshuffling geared toward AI initiatives, roughly one in five Meta employees is now being impacted by restructuring in some form.
Meta Layoff Email: Read the Full Text
As previously communicated, we have decided to reduce our headcount as part of our ongoing efforts to operate the company more efficiently and to offset other investments. Unfortunately, under today’s reorganization, your role has been eliminated. Before sharing further details, we would like to thank you for your contributions to Meta. We appreciate the significant role you have played in the company’s journey.
We understand that you likely have questions as you read this news. Please read on below to learn more. We also encourage you to visit the Alumni Portal (Meta.com/alumni)—which you will be able to access within one hour of losing system access—as it contains additional information and resources to assist you. Further details regarding the Alumni Portal are provided below.
Non-Working Notice Period
Effective today through redacted, you will be in a “Non-Working Notice Period.” During this time, your internal system access will be revoked, and you will not be required to perform any further work for Meta.
You will continue to accrue PTO until your termination date, and any remaining PTO balance will be paid out in your final paycheck at the end of this period. During the notice period, you will receive “Notice Pay,” which will appear on your payslip and will be equivalent to your regular salary.
Leave (if applicable): Your employment will end on your termination date, which has been previously communicated to you. Any leave status you are currently in will conclude on your termination date. Please note that if your disability meets the requirements of the Disability Plan, you may continue to receive disability benefits even after your separation date.
Your benefits and compensation will continue through your termination date.
You will continue to receive full salary and benefits through your termination date, as well as all RSU grants that vested on or before your termination date, in accordance with the Equity Incentive Plan. To assist you with your job search, you will also receive three months of complimentary external job search assistance through Lee Hecht Harrison (“LHH“), as further detailed in the accompanying LHH Outplacement Services flyer.
Severance Details
Attached is a non-signable version of the Separation Agreement containing full details regarding your individual package (please do not sign this version). Later today, a signable version of the Separation Agreement—containing the specific details of your personal package—will be sent from [redacted] to your personal email address. You must sign your Separation Agreement in order to receive your severance payout.
If you do not receive the electronically signable Separation Agreement at your personal email address by the end of the day tomorrow, please check your spam folder. If you still have not received the agreement, please submit a case via the Alumni Portal. (Note: If you apply for and accept another position at Meta at least one week prior to your termination date, you will remain a Meta employee; consequently, this Separation Agreement will be voided, and you will not be eligible for severance benefits under the terms of the Severance Plan.)
As a regular employee (FTE), you are eligible for the severance offer outlined below:
A severance payment equivalent to 16 weeks of pay, plus an additional two weeks of pay for each completed year of service, from which your notice period will be deducted. For further details regarding this calculation, please refer to the cover sheet attached to the accompanying Separation Agreement. Payment of COBRA (health insurance) premiums for up to 18 months for you and your family (provided they are currently covered under your existing plan).
Immigration (If Applicable)
We recognize that this situation is particularly challenging for those whose visas and work authorizations are sponsored by Meta. The Alumni Portal contains general immigration guidance designed to assist in addressing your immediate questions. This guidance also includes contact information for your assigned law firm. If you have specific questions regarding your individual case, you may also open a support case via the Alumni Portal.
System Access and Office Information
As you have now commenced a paid, non-working notice period, your access badge has been deactivated, and your access to internal Meta systems will be revoked as of this morning. If you are currently at the office, we request that you gather your personal belongings from your desk and depart for home. If you have any personal items that you need to retrieve, instructions for doing so are available on the Alumni Portal. Getting More Information
We understand that navigating this process will take time; therefore, we have compiled resources for you in the Alumni Portal regarding salary, benefits, and other matters. As mentioned above, you can access the Alumni Portal within one hour of losing system access today. To access the site, you will need your Employee ID, which is provided at the top of this email.
Finally, we would like to reiterate our gratitude for your contributions. Your impact at Meta has been an integral part of our story.
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