NNI Can End Practice Of Age Discrimination By Offering A Retirement Package

[anonymous]

I have worked in Novo Nordisk sales for over ten years. I have observed the terminations of many field employees in my geography. The one thing that all of these employees had in common was that they were all over the age of 40. Let’s not kid ourselves, Pharma reps tend to be young and attractive. You can make your own assessment and draw your own conclusions.

I would ask anyone at NNI reading this post how often you have observed an “older” employee being promoted to a management position? If so, have you noticed how the promotion occurrence of an older employee is very low and disproportionate.

At NNI you have several diverse groups created by Novo such as Women in Novo Nordisk, Military in Novo Nordisk, and Millennials at Novo Nordisk. Where is the group for the older employee?

Over the the last few weeks I have spoken to several field sales employees that are over the age of 55 and each one has been asked by their manager whether or not they are leaving at the end of 2018. The discussion was centered around whether or not the older employee(s) is going to leave so they can take advantage of the 55/10 program before it changes to 60/10 at the end of 2018. Why are these questions being asked?

It is obvious that NNI wants to trim older employees. NNI needs to do the right thing and that is simply to offer a retirement buyout for employees aged 55 plus. Due to US corporate tax changes in 2018, NNI is well positioned with increased profitability to do so. Why not offer packages of 1 year to these employees like Sanofi and Lilly have done (industry standard). By offering packages vs. managing people out of a job NNI would be behaving in the Novo Nordisk Way and more importantly send the right message to present and future employees that Novo cares about its people and live the values set by our triple bottom line.

 

[anonymous]

I have worked in Novo Nordisk sales for over ten years. I have observed the terminations of many field employees in my geography. The one thing that all of these employees had in common was that they were all over the age of 40. Let’s not kid ourselves, Pharma reps tend to be young and attractive. You can make your own assessment and draw your own conclusions.

I would ask anyone at NNI reading this post how often you have observed an “older” employee being promoted to a management position? If so, have you noticed how the promotion occurrence of an older employee is very low and disproportionate.

At NNI you have several diverse groups created by Novo such as Women in Novo Nordisk, Military in Novo Nordisk, and Millennials at Novo Nordisk. Where is the group for the older employee?

Over the the last few weeks I have spoken to several field sales employees that are over the age of 55 and each one has been asked by their manager whether or not they are leaving at the end of 2018. The discussion was centered around whether or not the older employee(s) is going to leave so they can take advantage of the 55/10 program before it changes to 60/10 at the end of 2018. Why are these questions being asked?

It is obvious that NNI wants to trim older employees. NNI needs to do the right thing and that is simply to offer a retirement buyout for employees aged 55 plus. Due to US corporate tax changes in 2018, NNI is well positioned with increased profitability to do so. Why not offer packages of 1 year to these employees like Sanofi and Lilly have done (industry standard). By offering packages vs. managing people out of a job NNI would be behaving in the Novo Nordisk Way and more importantly send the right message to present and future employees that Novo cares about its people and live the values set by our triple bottom line.

Here's a crazy thought - maybe managers are asking so that they can know, in advance, whether or not they are going to have to replace someone at the end of the year. You really don't make any valid point whatsoever in your post. If you want an ERG for older people, then start one. That's how all of the current groups started - an employee asked to start the group. And it's not 'obvious' that Novo wants to do anything. All that's obvious is that you've jumped to a bunch of conclusions without adequate information or proof.

 

[anonymous]

FACT - Doctors want to see young, attractive female reps and not aging 45-50 year olds. It’s better for business to look fresh-out-of-the-sorority vs soon-to-be-AARP Magazine-cover girl.

 

[anonymous]

FACT - Doctors want to see young, attractive female reps and not aging 45-50 year olds. It’s better for business to look fresh-out-of-the-sorority vs soon-to-be-AARP Magazine-cover girl.

FACT-most 45-50 year old women have experience and relationships that mean a lot more than someone right out of school in today’s market.

 

[anonymous]

FACT-most 45-50 year old women have experience and relationships that mean a lot more than someone right out of school in today’s market.

I agree with this. The cheerleader and jock types are not the types of people who can sell in today's environment.

I also think that Novo owes their well tenured employees, regardless of age, more. We helped BUILD this company onto what it is today and to cut us with a paltry 2 weeks for each year of service is a slap in the face. Compare that with what employees in Denmark receive and you will see what I mean.

 

[anonymous]

I agree with this. The cheerleader and jock types are not the types of people who can sell in today's environment.

I also think that Novo owes their well tenured employees, regardless of age, more. We helped BUILD this company onto what it is today and to cut us with a paltry 2 weeks for each year of service is a slap in the face. Compare that with what employees in Denmark receive and you will see what I mean.

No one “built” this company other than price increases and contracting. No one in the field “sells” anything. We are all replaceable.

 

[anonymous]

we built this company...
K
https://youtu.be/K1b8AhIsSYQ

 

[anonymous]

No one “built” this company other than price increases and contracting. No one in the field “sells” anything. We are all replaceable.

Clearly a person who thinks very little of themselves and is probably completely incompetent. Unlike you, I KNOW that I've contributed to the bottom line for this company for years and unlike you I know what I'm worth.

I'm guessing you're from marketing or the home office. Maybe you are all replaceable there.

There's always a handful of people on here who are so subsurvient to Corporate America that they think their own lack of worth is representative of the company as a whole.

Sad.

 

[anonymous]

Clearly a person who thinks very little of themselves and is probably completely incompetent. Unlike you, I KNOW that I've contributed to the bottom line for this company for years and unlike you I know what I'm worth.

I'm guessing you're from marketing or the home office. Maybe you are all replaceable there.

There's always a handful of people on here who are so subsurvient to Corporate America that they think their own lack of worth is representative of the company as a whole.

Sad.

Look. I agree that you've made contributions, like we all have. But, you can't pretend that you're not easily (and I mean EASILY) replaceable. You're in an entry level job that 20 very qualified people are lined up to take the second you don't want it. NNI would forget about you less than a week after you're gone. That's not being 'subservient to Corporate America', that's just reality. No one is throwing a going away parade or closing their doors because you decide to go.

And, you can't even begin to pretend that they need to treat you better. You make fabulous money here compared to most people in this country, you earn bonus, you win trips, you get swag, you have a great benefits package. They don't need to treat you any better than they already have treated you. Just open your eyes and recognize it for what it is. Don't get too caught up in your delusions of grandeur and fail to recognize how they've pampered you during your time here.

 

[anonymous]

But wait , those above the sales rep level, have delusions of grandeur all the time. I mean they are sure they aren't replaceable until they're gone until, alas, we find out that they are.

 

[anonymous]

But wait , those above the sales rep level, have delusions of grandeur all the time. I mean they are sure they aren't replaceable until they're gone until, alas, we find out that they are.

What point are you trying to make? That people in management are just like you? Wow. That's really deep. I know you're really just trying to take a swipe at management -types, which is pretty predictable.

We're all replaceable. Anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid.

 

[anonymous]

What point are you trying to make? That people in management are just like you? Wow. That's really deep. I know you're really just trying to take a swipe at management -types, which is pretty predictable.

We're all replaceable. Anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid.

Right, we know we're replaceable and the people who emphasize that point usually think that they are NOT, get it? To think otherwise is stupid, that is correct.

 

[anonymous]

Right, we know we're replaceable and the people who emphasize that point usually think that they are NOT, get it? To think otherwise is stupid, that is correct.

Really? Are your DBM and RBD telling you that they are irreplaceable? Did they say that NNI would shut their doors if they were to leave? I understand that you must not like them, which is typical and expected on this site, but don't put words in their mouths that they didn't say, get it?

 

[anonymous]

Really? Are your DBM and RBD telling you that they are irreplaceable? Did they say that NNI would shut their doors if they were to leave? I understand that you must not like them, which is typical and expected on this site, but don't put words in their mouths that they didn't say, get it?

I think what the poster was/is saying that at many meetings in the past our RBDs and VPs such as AA would stand up and tell youre replaceable. a thousand people are in line waiting for our jobs (which is true) while we are our stressed right now we don't need to have a leader stand up and use negativity as a motivator

 

[anonymous]

I think what the poster was/is saying that at many meetings in the past our RBDs and VPs such as AA would stand up and tell youre replaceable. a thousand people are in line waiting for our jobs (which is true) while we are our stressed right now we don't need to have a leader stand up and use negativity as a motivator

Yeah and as AA found out, he's replaceable too. See ya

 

[anonymous]

start a group of 50+. I will join

 

[anonymous]

EVERYONE STOP! Novo stopped doing the “right thing” years ago! So if you have a chance to cash out under the old retirement structure, do it. If you get an offer elsewhere, take it. If you think the Novo that existed ten years ago is going to come back, you’re wrong.

 

[anonymous]

start a group of 50+. I will join

GIN - geriatrics in Novo

 

[anonymous]

IAN- Immaturity at Novo

 

[anonymous]

How about LGBTQBAHWINN? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Women In Novo Nordisk. The only group we’ve left out are white males because they are the only group liberals can openly hate without being labeled and attacked.