Meta has started laying off 8,000 employees worldwide, with the first round of cuts hitting its Singapore office. The move, confirmed by the company Monday, marks one of the largest single rounds of job reductions in the tech sector this year.
Why Singapore went first
The layoffs began in Singapore, where Meta has a major regional hub. The company didn't say why it chose that location to start, but the decision affects hundreds of workers there. Employees were notified individually, and some were asked to leave immediately.
Global scale of the cuts
The 8,000 figure represents roughly 7% of Meta's total workforce. The company says the cuts will roll out across its offices in North America, Europe, and Asia over the coming weeks. Workers in engineering, product, and support roles are all affected.
Meta's CEO has described 2023 as a "year of efficiency," but the company has not publicly linked this round of cuts to that earlier goal. The layoffs come as the company continues to invest heavily in its metaverse and artificial intelligence projects.
What employees face next
Affected workers in Singapore were offered severance packages and extended health coverage, according to internal memos seen by colleagues. The company has not disclosed the terms for other regions. Laid-off employees will also receive career transition support.
For those still at Meta, the mood is uneasy. One engineer in Singapore, who asked not to be named, said the office was quiet. "People are waiting to see who's next," he said.
The company has not specified a timeline for layoffs in other countries, nor has it said whether further cuts are planned after this round.
