Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth States Employee Morale Nears All-Time Low
Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth has acknowledged that employee morale at the tech giant is currently near an all-time low. This sentiment follows significant internal changes, including recent mass layoffs affecting 10% of staff and the reassignment of another 10% to train AI models. Bosworth noted that while current morale is severe, the period during the Cambridge Analytica scandal was "probably the worst." Meta leadership plans initiatives, such as career development and increased transparency, to address and improve employee sentiment. The company also intends to allow staff reassigned to AI task forces to reapply for other internal positions.
Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth has stated that morale within the company is approaching an all-time low. Bosworth, speaking during an internal "Tuesdays with Boz" chat on June 2, indicated that current morale is "maybe not the worst it's ever been in 20 years here, but it's probably up there." He referenced the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which concerned the use of millions of Facebook users' data during the 2016 election, as "probably the worst" period for employee morale.
The decline in morale is linked to several recent internal developments. In May, Meta conducted mass layoffs, reducing its staff by 10%. Additionally, roughly 10% of its workforce was reassigned to mandatory tasks focused on training Meta's AI models. Some employees reportedly referred to this reassignment as being "drafted" and viewed the work primarily as data-labeling. Employee backlash also occurred in April regarding an initiative to track mouse movements and keystrokes to enhance AI models.
In response to these concerns, Meta's leadership has begun implementing steps to improve employee morale. Bosworth sent a memo to staff emphasizing the company's need to "be the best place for the best people to do their best work" and expressing a desire to "rekindle the best of the culture." The company has committed to transparency from leadership and support for employees' personal and career development.
Specific measures include allowing individuals reassigned to the AI task force to reapply for other roles within Meta, as well as increasing budgets for travel, events, and snacks.
(Source: Business Insider)
