Meta is reportedly keeping internal block lists of former employees who are ineligible for rehire, regardless of past performance. A new report suggests that the company tracks ex-workers, including those let go in previous layoffs, and prevents them from reapplying.
The lists reportedly include names of employees who were underperforming or had violated company policies. However, some workers claim they were added despite having no documented performance issues. Managers could reportedly place former employees on these lists within minutes by submitting a simple form.
Earlier this year, nearly 4,000 employees were laid off as part of what Meta described as performance-based job cuts. Some of those affected later discovered they were blocked from being rehired, even if they had strong performance records.
Getting off the ‘block list’ appears to be significantly harder than getting on it. One senior engineer was reportedly told that even a vice president’s approval would not be enough to reverse their status. Another hiring manager claimed they had never seen anyone removed from the list and successfully rehired.
The exact number of former employees on these lists remains unclear. However, some workers impacted by Meta’s 2022 mass layoffs—when the company cut 11,000 jobs—later found they had been marked as ineligible for rehire. Some had received high performance ratings before their departure but were still blocked from returning, even through third-party staffing agencies.
Meta has stated that multiple factors determine rehire eligibility. These include an employee’s last performance rating, recent performance signals, and the circumstances of their departure, such as resignations, policy violations, or performance-based terminations.
While some companies maintain internal records of former employees, Meta’s large-scale approach appears to be uncommon in the tech industry. Other industry experts have stated they have not seen a similar systematic process elsewhere.
As of December 2024, Meta had a total workforce strength of 74,067.
