Tech Layoffs continue: Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft announce job cuts

Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Google are among the top tech firms laying off employees. According to layoff.fyi, over 71 tech companies have already cut around 7,000 jobs. Many are planning even more layoffs in 2025. Companies say these cuts help them stay efficient and competitive. While some layoffs are performance-based, others are due to restructuring. The trend shows that even top tech firms aren’t immune to change. If you work in tech, it’s a good time to stay alert and plan ahead.

Meta is letting go of more than 3,000 employees. It is focusing on those with low performance ratings. CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed this, saying the company wants to "raise the bar on performance" and remove underperformers faster. The layoffs affect about 5% of Meta’s workforce, which had 72,400 employees as of September. Zuckerberg has already warned that 2024 and 2025 will be “challenging years” for the company. Meta is still pushing hard on AI and metaverse projects, but these job cuts show that even tech giants are feeling the pressure to stay profitable and efficient.

Amazon has been laying off employees since 2022, and it’s not stopping. Last month, the company announced another round of job cuts, this time in its communications and sustainability teams. The exact number isn’t public, but an internal memo described it as “small.” According to Amazon’s public relations head, Drew Herdener, the company is cutting roles that create “unnecessary layers.” Over the past three years, Amazon has already laid off 27,000 employees. While Amazon remains a massive company, it’s clear they’re still trying to trim costs and restructure their workforce for the future.

Microsoft is also cutting jobs, mainly in teams that didn’t meet performance expectations. Business Insider reported that the company’s security division is one of the affected areas. However, Microsoft hasn’t revealed how many employees will be let go. The good news? Microsoft’s India and South Asia head, Puneet Chandok, confirmed that no layoffs are happening in India. This means Indian employees can breathe a sigh of relief for now. Still, with tech layoffs increasing globally, it’s unclear if more job cuts will follow in other regions later this year.

Unlike other tech companies, Google isn’t forcing people out—it’s offering employees a choice. The Platforms & Devices team, which handles products like Pixel, Android, Chrome, and Nest, has introduced a voluntary exit program. This means US-based employees on this team can choose to leave with a severance package. A Google spokesperson confirmed this but didn’t say how many employees would take the offer. While this isn’t a traditional layoff, it’s still a sign that Google is looking to reduce costs and restructure teams without outright firing people.