Meta Asks Some Former Managers to Return to Roles
Social media giant Meta is reportedly asking some former individual contributors to return to managerial positions. This comes after the company had previously reduced its middle management layers.
Meta, the social media company, has reportedly begun asking some former employees to return to management roles, particularly within its Applied AI (AAI) division. The information comes from four individuals with knowledge of the matter, as reported by Business Insider. Meta declined to comment.
The AAI division was established in March to support the company's efforts in advanced artificial intelligence. Its structure was initially described as flat, with up to 50 individual contributors reporting to each manager. Some of these individuals within the AAI division had previously held management positions.
Meta's actions are notable given the company's significant participation in a broader corporate trend toward reducing bureaucracy and flattening organizational structures. During its "Year of Efficiency" in 2023, Meta eliminated management layers, and recent workforce reductions of 10% also targeted management roles.
Across the economy, organizations have been flattening their hierarchies in recent years. According to Gallup, the average number of direct reports per manager has increased significantly over the past decade. Other tech companies, such as Uber, have also announced similar measures to simplify their structures and increase speed.
The Meta AAI division has seen other personnel adjustments. Previously, some employees transferred into the division were allowed to leave amid complaints about being "drafted" against their wishes.