Meta Platforms confirms a 10% layoff in May, and Microsoft discloses its first voluntary retirement plan

Meta Platforms Chief Human Resources Officer Janelle Gale released an official memo on Thursday confirming that the company plans to cut about 8,000 jobs on May 20, or about 10% of its total workforce, and will also pause plans to fill 6,000 vacant positions. That same day, Microsoft disclosed a voluntary retirement plan for roughly 7% of U.S. employees—its first time offering such a plan in the company’s 51-year history.

Details of Meta’s May 20 Layoff Plan

According to an official memo published on Thursday by Meta Platforms Chief Human Resources Officer Janelle Gale, the company plans to lay off about 8,000 people on May 20 and pause plans to fill 6,000 vacant positions. In the memo, Gale directly quoted: “We are doing this to continue improving the company’s operating efficiency and offset other investments we are currently making.” The scale of this round of layoffs is Meta’s largest since 2023.

Meta’s Layoff Record and Reuters Report

Based on public records, Meta’s prior layoffs included: 11,000 employees laid off in November 2022; subsequent months saw another 10,000 positions cut; and two earlier rounds of layoffs in early 2026 combined to cut about 2,000 positions.

According to a Reuters report, citing three sources, Meta is preparing for another round of layoffs in the second half of 2026, but the specific timing and scope have not yet been finalized.

Microsoft’s First Voluntary Retirement Plan

According to an official memo released by Microsoft on Thursday, the company is rolling out a one-time voluntary retirement plan for the first time in its 51-year history. The plan applies to employees at the Senior Director level and below in the U.S., with eligibility conditions requiring the sum of age and years of service to be 70 years or more. Eligible employees and their direct supervisors will receive specific explanations on May 7.

Tech Industry Layoff Roundups in the Same Period

According to public reports, layoff events in the tech industry occurring in April 2026 include: Oracle cutting about 30,000 employees; and Amazon (Amazon), Block, and multiple cryptocurrency companies also carrying out layoffs in succession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who officially announced Meta’s May layoff plan, and which employee groups does it involve?

According to the official memo published on Thursday by Meta Platforms Chief Human Resources Officer Janelle Gale, the company plans to lay off about 8,000 people in May 20, or about 10% of its total workforce, and will also freeze plans to fill 6,000 vacant positions.

What are the eligibility requirements for Microsoft’s voluntary retirement plan?

According to the official memo released by Microsoft on Thursday, eligibility requires employees in the Senior Director level and below at the company in the U.S., and the sum of age and years of service must be 70 years or more. Eligible employees and their direct supervisors will receive specific explanations on May 7.

Is this Meta layoff the largest in its history?

Based on public records, Meta’s largest layoff occurred in November 2022, when it laid off 11,000 people. This round of 8,000 layoffs is the largest since 2023, with the two rounds of layoffs from late 2022 to early 2023 totaling more than 21,000 positions.