Mark Zuckerberg is starting to slap some pretty harsh “Below Expectations” labels on employees who aren’t meeting the mark

Meta is tightening things up internally, especially when it comes to how employees are evaluated. It’s all part of Meta’s push to be leaner and more efficient, especially after a hiring spree during the pandemic and several rounds of layoffs that cut about 21,000 jobs between 2022 and 2024. CEO Mark Zuckerberg called 2023 the “Year of Efficiency,” and now he’s turning that focus inward – tightening up performance reviews instead of going straight to public layoffs.

Zuckerberg’s not playing around with performance anymore

According to Business Insider, a recent memo, managers of teams with over 150 people now have to mark 15–20% of their team as “Below Expectations” in this year’s midyear reviews – up from 12 to15% last year.

There’s no official talk of big layoffs right now, but this new system could quietly push underperforming employees out. Those who don’t score well in the midyear reviews might end up in follow-up meetings starting in July, which could lead to performance-related exits.

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Meta’s approach isn’t unique. Other tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are also cracking down on performance as they try to cut costs and get more from smaller teams. It’s part of a larger shift in the tech world, where employees are under more pressure than ever to keep delivering or risk getting pushed out.

This change at Meta isn’t just about numbers, it’s also tied to Zuckerberg’s bigger vision. He thinks the days of smartphones ruling our digital lives are numbered. Instead, he sees the future in AR (augmented reality) and the metaverse. That’s where Meta’s been pouring a lot of its energy and money.

As the company shifts toward that future, it’s also raising big questions about what kind of workplace Meta is becoming – and what kind of talent will thrive there.

• Facebook / Meta
• Mark Zuckerberg