Tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is reportedly planning to offer voluntary exit packages to nearly one-third of its employees in France.
According to French publication La Lettre, Meta is considering reducing its workforce in France by around 100 employees. The company currently employs approximately 300 people in the country.
Instead of directly laying off employees, Meta is reportedly offering attractive compensation packages to encourage them to leave voluntarily.
The proposed scheme is being implemented through a French employment arrangement known as RCC, which allows companies and employees to mutually agree on voluntary departures.
Negotiations reportedly began in July, and employees have until November 5 to apply for the scheme.
Under the proposed package, employees could receive compensation equivalent to 2.15 months of salary for every year of service.
They may also be eligible for up to 10 months of paid career transition leave, during which they would receive 80% of their gross salary.
The company is also reportedly considering additional benefits, including retraining support and assistance for employees who want to start their own businesses.
However, Meta’s French subsidiary has declined to comment on the reported plans.
The development comes at a time when major technology companies are restructuring their operations and increasing investments in artificial intelligence.
In April, Meta announced plans to cut around 10% of its global workforce as part of its restructuring efforts and growing focus on AI.
The latest move in France suggests that the company is exploring voluntary exit schemes as an alternative to compulsory layoffs.
Meta is not alone in adopting this approach.
Microsoft has also offered voluntary retirement packages to eligible employees, while Google has introduced similar exit schemes in certain divisions.
These developments highlight a growing trend among global technology companies to reduce costs and reorganise their workforces while shifting more resources towards AI.
With artificial intelligence becoming a major priority, tech giants are increasingly offering employees financial incentives to leave as they reshape their businesses for the future.
