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Meta gets an 'F' for it's "low performer" layoff

Scathing grades, stealth sackings, and rising inflation—your essential tech job insights inside.

Author

Stephanie Sakoda
February 13, 2025

In partnership with

👋 Welcome, Jobseekers

Welcome to this week’s Offboard newsletter. We’re diving deep into another brutal week in tech—highlighting Meta’s shocking performance-based layoffs in our new 'Layoff Grade of the Week' segment. Alongside scathing grades and candid commentary, we’re covering stealth sackings, inflation’s impact on tech jobs, and hand-picked opportunities to keep your career moving forward. Let’s get into the details and empower your job search!

  • 📉 Layoff Report: Meta, Redfin, Sprinklr lead another brutal week of 5,000+ tech workers laid off

  • ✏️ Exit Exam: Layoff Grade of the Week: Meta’s “Low Performer” Lunacy

  • 🧑‍✈️ Career CoPilot: The Rise of “Stealth Sackings”

  • 📈 Trends & Data: Inflation Spikes Again: How It Could Impact Tech Jobs

  • 🔧 Jobseeker Tools: Aragon Headshot Generator, Jobbie, Simplify Job Matchmaker

Layoff Grade of the Week: Meta’s “Low Performer” Lunacy

Welcome to our new weekly segment where we grade high-profile layoffs with relentless execution. This week, we’re spotlighting Meta’s recent “performance-based” axe jobbing 3,600 employees—and boy, does it deserve a scathing report.

1. The Layoff Overview

What Happened:
Meta, under Zuckerberg’s “intense year” pretext, axed 3,600 employees—ostensibly to weed out “low performers.” The twist? Many of these workers were receiving glowing reviews just months before the sudden downgrade to “Meets Most,” earning them the infamous “low performer” label.

Our Take:
Instead of a thoughtful strategic pivot, Meta pulled off a corporate magic trick by redefining excellence as mediocrity overnight. It’s a classic case of scapegoating and smoke-and-mirrors.

2. Grading Rubric

We grade layoffs on five key criteria:

  • Transparency: How clearly were the layoff reasons communicated?

  • Fairness: Did the performance metrics align with actual employee performance?

  • Accountability: Did management own up to strategic missteps rather than deflect blame?

  • Impact on Morale: How did the decision affect employee trust and reputation?

  • Strategic Alignment: Does the layoff serve a clear, forward-looking business purpose?

Score Breakdown for Meta’s Layoffs:

Criteria

Score (out of 5)

Comments

Transparency

1/5

Vague memos and sudden rating downgrades left everyone in the dark.

Fairness

1/5

High performers branded as “low performers”—a colossal misfire.

Accountability

2/5

“Intense year” excuse seems more like a convenient cost-cutting ploy.

Impact on Morale

0/5

Lives and reputations tarnished; employees now bear a scarlet letter.

Strategic Alignment

2/5

Shifting to AI is smart, but not at the expense of your best talent.

Overall Grade: F (1.2/5)

3. How This Impacts Jobseekers

  • Resume Red Flag:
    Jobseekers impacted by Meta’s dubious performance rubric now carry a “low performer” label—even if it’s undeserved. Be ready to explain that your termination was a corporate anomaly, not a reflection of your capabilities.

  • Market Caution:
    With big tech companies increasingly relying on opaque performance metrics, job candidates must scrutinize company culture and review practices. Transparency and fair evaluation should be non-negotiable.

  • Opportunity Alert:
    On the flip side, the sudden influx of talented professionals into the job market could open doors at companies that prioritize genuine performance over corporate spin. Now’s the time to seek out firms with a track record of honest communication and fair practices.

4. Final Verdict

Meta’s latest layoff debacle is a masterclass in corporate absurdity. By rebranding excellence as underperformance, they not only alienated a significant portion of their workforce but also damaged their own credibility. For jobseekers, it’s a stark reminder to avoid companies that sacrifice transparency and fairness for quick fixes. Until Meta gets its act together, our weekly grade remains a resounding F.

Stay tuned next week as we continue to grade the latest high-profile layoffs. Let’s keep the pressure on—because if you can’t value your people, don’t expect anyone else to.

Source: TrueUp

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Tech Job Roundup

Here’s some roles we’ve hand-picked for you this week: 

Inflation Spikes Again: How It Could Impact Tech Jobs

Overview

In January 2025, U.S. consumer prices surged by 0.5%, marking the most significant monthly increase since August 2023 and pushing the annual inflation rate to 3%.

The Details

  • Key Contributors: The inflation uptick was driven by notable price increases in used cars, auto insurance, and a 15% surge in egg prices due to a bird flu outbreak.

  • Core Inflation: Excluding food and energy, core inflation rose by 0.4% in January, bringing the annual core rate to 3.3%.

  • Market Reactions: The unexpected inflation data led to declines in major stock indices and a rise in Treasury yields, reflecting investor concerns about prolonged higher interest rates.

Why it Matters

For tech professionals, rising inflation can erode purchasing power, making it essential to seek salary adjustments that keep pace with cost-of-living increases. Additionally, higher inflation may influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policies, potentially affecting interest rates and the broader economic environment in which tech companies operate. Staying informed about these economic indicators can aid in strategic career planning and financial decision-making.

Pushed Out, Not Laid Off: The Rise of “Stealth Sackings”

"Stealth sackings" are a rising workplace trend where companies discreetly reduce headcounts by targeting minor infractions or subtly pressuring employees to leave.

The Details

  • Tactics Employed: Managers may assign undesirable tasks, exclude employees from key projects, or set unattainable performance goals to encourage voluntary departures.

  • Employee Impact: Affected individuals often experience heightened stress, decreased job satisfaction, and a sense of insecurity, leading to diminished performance and morale.

  • Company Consequences: While intended to avoid the costs and publicity of formal layoffs, stealth sackings can foster a toxic work environment, erode trust, and damage the organization's reputation.

Why it Matters

For tech jobseekers, understanding stealth sackings is crucial. Recognizing these subtle cues can prompt proactive career management, such as seeking new opportunities before being compelled to leave. Moreover, evaluating potential employers' layoff practices can inform better career decisions, ensuring alignment with organizations that value transparency and employee well-being.

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