Tensions were high inside Meta as Mark Zuckerberg held his first all-hands meeting of the year. Employees raised concerns about his recent decisions, including planned layoffs for low-performing staff, changes to Meta’s diversity and inclusion programs, and adjustments to content moderation rules.
One employee questioned if the new U.S. administration influenced these changes, but Zuckerberg did not provide a direct response. To limit controversy, Meta disabled comments on the livestream and did not rank employee-submitted questions.
Addressing the leaks from previous meetings, Zuckerberg expressed frustration, saying that openness often leads to confidential information being exposed. He assured employees that key topics would be discussed but avoided subjects he considered harmful to Meta’s operations.
On the issue of returning to the office, he stated that no changes were planned, allowing the current hybrid model to continue. He also defended cost-cutting measures, including ending free EV charging, saying financial discipline was key to Meta’s success.
Regarding upcoming layoffs, Zuckerberg emphasized the need to act swiftly, arguing that delaying terminations for low-performing employees would be unproductive. He also explained his decision to reduce diversity programs, citing legal and regulatory constraints.
While unconscious bias training may return, it will not focus solely on specific underrepresented groups. Meta’s HR head, Janelle Gale, reassured employees that the company remains committed to a diverse talent pool and will continue to celebrate events like Black History Month.
On content moderation, Zuckerberg justified the relaxation of certain policies, including allowing statements that some may find controversial. He insisted that Meta’s goal is to be a platform for open discussions rather than enforcing specific viewpoints. His remarks signal a shift in Meta’s approach, emphasizing free expression while reducing prior restrictions.
