Meta* Corporation carried out large-scale layoffs, resulting in the loss of approximately 8 000 jobs in a single day—approximately 10% of its total workforce, Bloomberg reported.

According to the publication, the company's director of human resources, Janelle Gale, sent an internal letter to employees in advance, announcing a restructuring aimed at improving the corporation's efficiency. Layoff notices were sent out in the morning, with employees advised to stay home the day before—reportedly to avoid publicity. Some employees who did show up to the office found leaflets posted on the building walls protesting the new corporate policy, including one against monitoring computer screens for neural network training.

The engineering and product divisions bore the brunt of the impact. The company promised all laid-off employees severance pay with at least 16 weeks of base salary, as well as medical reimbursement and job search support.

Another 7 000 employees were offered transfers to four new divisions related to artificial intelligence development, or they too would face layoffs. Meanwhile, the corporation froze hiring for 6 000 open positions.

The layoffs occurred against the backdrop of Meta*'s massive investments in neural network development, which, according to media reports, exceeded 100 billion USD.

In a message to employees, Meta* CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Meta* "does not plan any further mass layoffs in 2026" and acknowledged a lack of transparency in communications with staff during the restructuring. According to Reuters, some employees were skeptical of these assurances.

*The Meta company has been recognized as an extremist organization in the Russian Federation.