So now we know: Around 400 people from Meta will lose their jobs.
Though the company hasn’t confirmed the exact figure, it says the percentage affected here will be “similar” to the 13 percent global layoff figure.
For those who are made redundant, it’s a much less positive working atmosphere than it was in Dublin a year ago.
Back then, recruiters would trip over themselves to offer you jobs at the same or higher salary at another technology or consulting firm.
Today, most big tech companies are either laying off employees or having a hiring freeze.
There are exceptions. TikTok is still adding 1,000 people, as is Workday. But overall, the market is now retreating rather than asking you to join.
As for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp currently has 3,000 employees in Ireland.
However, staff job losses may not be the full picture.
While Meta says up to 6,000 contractors — workers ranging from engineers to cleaners employed by third-party agencies — won’t be affected by today’s announcement, that doesn’t mean that number will be around next year. If the company’s business is streamlined, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg is currently saying, there will inevitably be less work for all of those third-party firms.
As for exactly who will be laid off at Irish headquarters, the company would only say today that “some teams will be hit harder than others”. Those who work on “business” teams, including sales and marketing, can expect deeper cuts than others, according to an employee email sent by Mr. Zuckerberg. Recruitment teams are also at the forefront.
For some unaffected, there is relief, such as the low staffing levels in Meta’s data center operations in Meath.
The reason the company can’t provide exact numbers on job cuts is that it is now going through official consultation channels for layoffs with state agencies and ministries.
However, a clearer picture of who is actually affected could emerge in the coming days. According to the company, data subjects will lose access to systems today and tomorrow.
Whether this is all just a correction or a warning sign of a deeper recession is likely to become clearer in the coming weeks.
In his letter to employees, Mark Zuckerberg said it could be a little bit of both.
https://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/as-meta-cuts-up-to-400-irish-jobs-is-this-just-a-correction-or-a-warning-sign-for-a-deeper-tech-recession-to-come-42131037.html With Meta cutting up to 400 Irish jobs, is this just a correction or a warning sign of a deeper tech recession?
