Meta plans to eliminate 10% of its workforce, cutting approximately 8,000 jobs, according to an internal memo reported by Bloomberg in April 2026. The social media giant will also leave 6,000 currently open positions unfilled.
The layoffs are scheduled to begin on May 20, 2026, according to the memo sent to employees on Thursday and viewed by Bloomberg. Reuters had earlier reported on Meta’s plans for the substantial workforce reduction.
Chief People Officer Janelle Gale explained the decision to staff in the internal communication, stating the cuts are “part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.” She acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting it “will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here.”
The layoffs come as Meta attempts to balance its spending after costly strategic investments. The company spent tens of billions of dollars on its metaverse initiatives, which largely failed to gain traction. Simultaneously, Meta has been forced to make major investments in artificial intelligence to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving space. Earlier in April 2026, the company launched Muse Spark, a completely overhauled AI product.
The workforce reduction represents a significant restructuring for Meta as it seeks to improve operational efficiency while continuing to fund critical technology initiatives. The company has not yet publicly commented on the reported layoffs. TechCrunch has reached out to Meta for official confirmation.
Source: TechCrunch