4 layoff headlines from February 2025.
February 10, 2025 · The Wall Street Journal
Meta Cuts 5% of Workforce in 'Performance-Based' Layoffs
Meta laid off about 3,600 employees — 5% of its workforce — in what the company called performance-based terminations. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the move was aimed at 'raising the bar' on talent, but affected workers disputed the characterization. The layoffs came as Meta invested aggressively in AI research and its Reality Labs metaverse division continued to lose money.
February 4, 2025 · Reuters
Amazon Cuts 1,700 Across Communications and Sustainability Teams
Amazon eliminated roughly 1,700 positions across its communications, sustainability, and corporate functions. The cuts are part of CEO Andy Jassy's continued push to streamline the company and reduce management layers. Amazon's overall headcount has declined from its pandemic peak of 1.6 million to about 1.5 million workers.
February 5, 2025 · CNBC
Workday Cuts 1,750 Employees to Fund AI Expansion
Workday laid off approximately 1,750 employees — 8.5% of its workforce — to redirect spending toward artificial intelligence and international markets. CEO Carl Eschenbach said the company needs to 'operate with more speed and efficiency' as enterprise software competition intensifies. Workday plans to reinvest the savings into its AI-powered HR and finance tools.
February 18, 2025 · Reuters
Rivian Trims 6% of Staff Ahead of R2 SUV Launch
Rivian cut about 1,000 employees — 6% of its workforce — as the electric vehicle startup races to conserve cash before the launch of its more affordable R2 SUV. CEO RJ Scaringe said the cuts would not impact the R2 timeline but acknowledged the painful necessity of the decision. Rivian continues to burn over $1 billion per quarter as it scales production.