Meta prepares to lay off 8,000 employees despite record Q1 profits
Original: 'Everyone is unhappy': Meta employees describe a grim environment as the company reportedly prepares to axe roughly 8,000 workers
Why This Matters
Shows tension between AI investment priorities and workforce management at major tech company
Meta reportedly plans to cut roughly 8,000 workers on May 20, representing 10% of its global workforce. This follows a record Q1 2026 with $56.31 billion revenue and $26.8 billion net income. Employee morale has plummeted amid the contrast.
Meta will reportedly conduct layoffs affecting approximately 8,000 employees on May 20, despite recording one of its most profitable quarters with $56.31 billion in revenue and $26.8 billion in net income for Q1 2026. According to WIRED interviews with over a dozen current and former employees, company morale has significantly declined. One Instagram employee stated 'everyone is unhappy; the only people who are not unhappy are, literally, executives.' Some staff are hoping to be laid off to receive 16 weeks of severance and 18 months of paid healthcare. Chief People Officer Janelle Gale cited efficiency improvements and investment offsetting as reasons. The cuts relate to massive AI infrastructure spending projected between $125-145 billion in 2026, up from $72.2 billion in 2025.