Internal documents obtained by Business Insider provide a detailed look at Meta's recent workforce reductions. The company initiated significant layoffs, impacting approximately 5% of its employees. These cuts have reshaped various departments within the tech giant, with some teams bearing the brunt more than others. Among the most affected are those under Tom Alison, head of Facebook, and Vishal Shah, vice president of Metaverse at Reality Labs. The documents also highlight the strategic decisions behind these changes, offering insight into Meta's future direction.
The restructuring efforts at Meta began last week, affecting thousands of employees across different divisions. Through the acquisition of 30 records sent to impacted workers along with their separation agreements, it is now clear how Meta is redefining its organizational structure. The documents detail not only the number of employees affected but also break down the changes by business groups, teams, and job titles. Furthermore, they list the senior management overseeing each group, providing transparency for those affected.
Among the most heavily impacted teams was the one led by Tom Alison, head of Facebook, where 335 positions were eliminated. This substantial reduction reflects the company's ongoing efforts to streamline operations. Another notable hit came from the Horizon team, responsible for Meta’s virtual reality initiatives, which saw 244 roles cut. Vishal Shah, who oversees this area under the Reality Labs division, has had to make tough decisions as part of Meta’s broader strategy to focus on key areas like the metaverse.
Carmine Arabia, vice president of devices at Reality Labs, faced the elimination of 195 roles across various functions such as business analytics, engineering, and technical program management. Lori Goler’s former people team experienced a reduction of 189 administrative positions, while Rachel Peterson’s data center strategy team lost 186 roles tied to design, engineering, and construction. Peng Fan’s engineering for monetization team also underwent significant changes, with 180 software engineer positions being cut.
Alex Himel’s augmented reality group, which primarily focuses on wearables, saw 141 employees laid off. These cuts come amidst Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to expedite hiring in critical areas such as machine learning, indicating a strategic shift towards high-priority projects. Two of the seven most affected groups are linked to Reality Labs, underscoring the importance of this unit in Meta’s long-term vision.
Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, emphasized the significance of 2025 as a pivotal year for the company’s metaverse ambitions. In a November memo, he stressed that this year will determine whether the metaverse becomes a visionary success or a notable misadventure. The internal documents provide a glimpse into the challenges Meta faces and the strategic steps it is taking to navigate this crucial period.
These internal documents reveal the depth of Meta’s restructuring efforts, highlighting both the breadth and specificity of the changes. By focusing on key areas and eliminating lower-performing roles, Meta aims to position itself more effectively in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The coming months will be critical as the company seeks to prove the viability of its ambitious projects, particularly in the realm of the metaverse.