A Meta employee gets real about the horror of working there
A Meta employee describes intense anxiety and poor working conditions amid widespread layoffs and the company's aggressive push into AI. Workers are reportedly training AI systems that may replace their roles, without additional compensation, while facing constant surveillance. The situation has led to significant mental health strain, with employees living in fear of job loss.
- ▪Meta is expected to lay off 8,000 employees globally, about 10% of its workforce, with 500 cuts in the Bay Area.
- ▪Employees report being required to train AI systems that could replace their jobs, without extra pay or recognition.
- ▪Meta has implemented keystroke logging to monitor employee activity, increasing feelings of surveillance and distrust.
- ▪Many employees are experiencing severe stress, with some taking mental health leave due to the work environment.
- ▪Workers discover layoffs by checking if their internal profiles are marked as 'deactivated,' using unofficial tools to track who has been let go.
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PODCASTPacific Standard TimeA Meta employee gets real about the horror of working there right nowCrying in the shower. Taking mental health leave. This is what it’s like to work at the tech giant during the AI job apocalypse.Source: Photo illustration by The StandardBy Emily DreyfussProduced by Xorje Olivares, Sophie Bearman, and Eddie SunPublished May 15, 2026•6:00amShareShareCopy linkto this articleEmailTwitter (opens in new tab)Bluesky (opens in new tab)Facebook (opens in new tab)LinkedIn (opens in new tab)Telegram (opens in new tab)WhatsApp (opens in new tab)Reddit (opens in new tab)Close share menuPlaySelect Your PlatformCloseYouTube (opens in new tab)Apple Podcasts (opens in new tab)Spotify (opens in new tab)4There are $4 comments on this storyA decade ago, it was a real flex in San…
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