Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta instructed certain employees to work remotely on Wednesday, including those in the wearables and ads departments. The directive was communicated via an HR email amid looming layoffs affecting the company’s workforce of 79,000 employees. On Tuesday, Meta revealed a substantial stock-based compensation plan for top executives. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that some employees were informed on Tuesday night to work remotely the following day. Specifically, employees in the wearables and ads divisions received this instruction. The brief HR email mentioned that more details would be shared by leadership. Meta’s wearables unit, encompassing AI glasses and augmented reality ventures, is highlighted as a significant investment area for 2026 in its recent earnings report. A Meta spokesperson declined to provide a comment regarding these developments. The company is reportedly preparing for staff reductions, with reports indicating that up to one-fifth or more of Meta’s workforce could be affected. This translates to approximately 16,000 potential job cuts based on the company’s employee count at the end of 2025. These anticipated changes coincide with Meta’s substantial investments in AI and senior leadership appointments. In January, Meta downsized its Reality Labs group by around 10% to 15% as part of its evolving strategic direction away from the Metaverse concept. Notably, Meta introduced a notable stock-based compensation initiative for senior executives on Tuesday, excluding CEO Mark Zuckerberg from the program. The plan involves an increased number of restricted stock units and tens of thousands of stock options tied to ambitious future targets, with a deadline set for March 2031. Over the past year, Meta’s stock has experienced a decrease of nearly 3%.