UK staff at Meta, the parent company of Facebook, have voiced feelings of concern and disappointment over the company’s decision to scrap factchecking and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. The Prospect union, which represents an increasing number of UK tech workers, has urged Meta to address these concerns following the announcement of global workforce cuts affecting about 5% of employees.
Rachel Curley, deputy general secretary of Prospect, warned Meta of the impact of these decisions, saying, “News of further job cuts at Meta will be worrying for everyone who works there. Prospect will be engaging with the company at the earliest opportunity to represent our members’ interests and ensure that a proper consultation takes place. This must not become another Twitter.”
Curley reaffirmed the union’s commitment to supporting affected staff, adding, “We stand ready to advise employees who have concerns about this or the new direction the company is taking.”
The union’s intervention follows growing unease among employees regarding the company’s restructuring strategy, spearheaded by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, which includes the discontinuation of key programmes and significant layoffs. Staff worry these moves could undermine the company’s stated commitment to responsible practices and inclusive workplace values.