Meta Employees Rush to Utilize Benefits Amid Impending Layoffs
As Meta prepares to lay off approximately 8,000 employees, staff members are hastily using available benefits and perks before their termination.
Meta Platforms Inc. is set to lay off about 10% of its workforce, approximately 8,000 employees, on May 20, 2026. This decision aligns with the company's strategic shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) investments.
In anticipation of the layoffs, many employees are expediting the use of their annual $2,000 flexible benefits, which cover health and wellness activities, and a $200 triennial credit for audio equipment. This has led to a surge in purchases of items like Apple AirPods. Additionally, some staff members are focusing on updating their résumés and spending time with colleagues, leading to noticeably emptier offices.
The layoffs are part of Meta's broader restructuring plan, which includes reallocating 7,000 employees to AI-related initiatives and reducing managerial positions. These changes are intended to enhance the company's AI workflows and create a more streamlined organizational structure.
Despite reporting record-high profits, Meta is intensifying its focus on AI, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing the need to invest in AI data centers and technologies that can augment human labor.
The impending layoffs have contributed to a decline in employee morale, with some expressing concerns over being reassigned to new AI teams without choice and the implementation of monitoring software to track work activities.