Meta began layoffs this week with the aim of eliminating low-performers, but several employees who were let go told Business Insider they were “blindsided,” saying they had received positive midyear reviews. Some voiced concerns about future job opportunities, given the layoffs were publicized as targeting underperformers. However, internal documents viewed by BI showed that higher performing employees would also be targeted if managers couldn’t meet workforce reduction goals with lower performers alone.
Meta also fired high performers in its performance management efficiency play that left about 3,600 employees jobless on Monday.
Impacted employees received a terse email early Monday morning telling them they’d lost their jobs and guiding them towards a “Meta alumni” website.
Some employees who had been hitting or exceeding expectations were part of the group, according to reporting by Business Insider and Entrepreneur.
Now departing employees fear the repercussions of the “low performer” label hampering their job search.
But it sounds like this is not just happening at Meta.
Others are reporting this performance management layoff tactic happening at other companies, and some have said many experienced workers have been the targets.