The latest round of layoffs at Facebook parent company Meta has sparked a storm of discontent among employees – many of whom have taken to public forums to challenge the company’s rationale.

While Meta insists the cuts were based on performance, several affected workers argue otherwise, citing their strong track records and long tenures at the company.

One anonymous employee, speaking to Business Insider, described the layoffs as a public branding of workers as underperformers.

“The hardest part is Meta publicly stating they’re cutting low performers, so it feels like we have the scarlet letter on our backs,” they said.

Many of the dismissed employees maintain they had never received negative performance reviews, making the process feel arbitrary.

On Blind, an anonymous platform for verified employees, discussions have been rife with frustration.

One former Meta worker noted that colleagues with nearly a decade of service and consistently high ratings were among those let go.

Also Read: Meta layoffs: Hurting high performers sparks a crisis of trust

“Dozens of people with pristine history and [who] exceed ratings that took parental or medical leave and got laid off. I didn’t even know this was legal,” they wrote.

Some workers who had taken parental or medical leave were particularly vocal about the layoffs, with one stating they were let go shortly after giving birth, despite a history of exceeding expectations.

One recounted returning from six months of maternity leave only to receive a termination notice.

Meanwhile, another described the layoffs as ruthless, suggesting that financial motives played a greater role than performance considerations.

These reports have intensified debates on whether Meta’s approach was ethical or simply expedient.

The numbers behind the cuts

Earlier this month, Meta announced the dismissal of some 3,600 employees – approximately 5% of its workforce, which stood at 72,400 as of September 2024.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reinforced the company’s commitment to raising performance standards, stating the layoffs were part of an effort to swiftly remove underperformers.

However, his warning that 2025 would be a “crazy year” for the company has fuelled speculation that cost-cutting measures are driven more by economic pressures than talent concerns.

Workplace culture under fire

Meta’s handling of layoffs has drawn sharp criticism from both current and former employees.

One worker described the company as:

The cruelest tech company out there.

Meta now primarily caters to young employees without family obligations, who can devote themselves entirely to work, another suggested.

These comments reflect broader industry concerns about job stability and corporate priorities, particularly as Silicon Valley shifts towards more traditional, profit-focused management styles.

A Microsoft employee added another layer to the debate, revealing that a friend at Meta had been asked to nominate colleagues for termination despite all of them meeting or exceeding expectations.

This has led to speculation that the layoffs were a form of corporate discipline, punishing the worker empowerment movement seen in 2021 and 2022.

If true, such tactics may be a strategic move to instil fear and compliance within the workforce.

Also Read: Rising IT job cuts signals how AI is taking over

Meta layoffs and the legal and ethical fallout

As former employees grapple with the impact of these job losses, many are seeking legal counsel, questioning whether the dismissals violated employment laws.

Others have voiced concerns about trust within the company, given that even long-tenured, high-performing colleagues were abruptly let go.

The layoffs also raise questions about the future of Meta’s workforce strategy.

With the company still investing heavily in AI and metaverse projects, these cuts serve as a stark reminder that even tech giants are forced to balance innovation and financial sustainability.

However, if employee morale continues to erode, Meta may face longer-term challenges in attracting and retaining top talent.

In an industry where reputation is key, Meta’s latest workforce decisions may leave a lasting imprint – not just on those directly affected, but on the wider tech ecosystem.

For HR and business leaders, this episode serves as a cautionary tale about the nuances of performance management and ethical corporate governance.