News: Meta’s Instagram planning staff cuts at London office, some employees may be relocated

Strategic HR

Meta’s Instagram planning staff cuts at London office, some employees may be relocated

The London office of Instagram experienced notable growth as it became a prominent centre for the popular photo-sharing app, especially during the temporary relocation of its head, Adam Mosseri, last year.
Meta’s Instagram planning staff cuts at London office, some employees may be relocated

Meta, the corporate entity that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has recently carried out significant layoffs, and it appears that the company may continue to reduce its workforce. According to recent reports, Meta is now considering cutting staff from its London office, and there is also speculation that some employees may be relocated to other Meta offices.

Insiders familiar with the situation have informed Bloomberg that Meta is contemplating either relocating or laying off its employees based in London who work for Instagram. It is worth noting that the London office of Instagram experienced substantial growth under the leadership of Adam Mosseri, who temporarily moved there last year.

An unnamed source who requested anonymity informed the publications that Mosseri, along with employees who are not laid off, is considering relocating to the United States. However, this decision is still pending and is subject to a consultation period with the UK government before it can be finalised. Meta has chosen not to comment on this matter.

The report also highlighted that the news has sparked concern among employees in London, who are uncertain about the fate of their roles. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the existing job market uncertainty, the possibility of layoffs is adding to their anxiety.

In a related development, Meta has initiated a new round of layoffs, affecting employees in engineering and technical roles. This information has been confirmed by a Meta spokesperson to CNBC.

At the beginning of this year, Meta had disclosed its intention to eliminate a total of 10,000 jobs as part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its operations. This announcement followed the previous layoff of 11,000 employees in November 2022, and another round of layoffs in March 2023. 

CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously expressed regret for the decision to lay off employees in an email addressed to those affected.

The precise number of employees affected by the most recent round of layoffs in April is currently undisclosed. There have been reports speculating that Meta may be laying off an additional 4,000 workers, but no official confirmation has been provided yet. 

These job reductions are in line with Meta's ongoing initiatives to invest in new sectors and diversify its business, including virtual and augmented reality, while also addressing concerns related to data privacy and the potential impact of its platforms on mental health.

As part of Meta's drive to enhance efficiency and optimize its operations, the restructuring plan has been implemented. However, the impact on the company's overall performance is yet to be determined.

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Topics: Strategic HR, #Layoffs, #HRTech, #HRCommunity

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