Meta keeps secret ‘do not rehire' list of ex-employees — despite exceptional performance reviews: report

Core Insights - Meta maintains an internal "do not rehire" list for former employees deemed ineligible for rehire, even if they have strong performance records and recommendations from hiring managers [1][6][12] - The company has laid off approximately 10,000 employees in 2022, including high performers who later sought to reapply [11] - Despite claims of fair application of rehire designations, multiple former employees report being flagged as ineligible without clear explanations [6][10][12] Group 1: Rehire Restrictions - A former Meta engineer, laid off in 2022, discovered they were on the "do not rehire" list after submitting nearly 20 applications, despite initial interest from hiring managers [1][5] - Internal documents suggest that managers face systemic obstacles when attempting to rehire certain individuals, indicating a lack of transparency in the process [7][6] - Employment experts note that while such lists are not illegal, they are uncommon, and even high-performing employees can be barred from rehire without clear reasons [6][8] Group 2: Company Response - Meta asserts that rehire eligibility is determined based on clear criteria at the time of departure, including policy violations and performance metrics [12][13] - The company emphasizes that checks and balances are in place to prevent any single manager from unilaterally marking a former employee as ineligible for rehire [12][13] - Meta denies allegations that former employees in good standing are barred from rehire due to internal lists or manager discretion [12]