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Ok...so let's say you avoid the upcoming carnage and end up staying....

Quote

Anonymous

Guest
It is interesting that a great deal of the debate here on CP is concerning who
will stay and who will be let go on the sales force. What surprises me a bit though,
is the lack of debate on what happens to those who do stay...Specifically, those older
reps that for whatever reason, (fear of lawsuits) keep their silly drug rep job.

This is clearly a case of "Be careful what you wish for."

Me thinks that the people that end up leaving, will go on to ultimately better jobs,
and if not better jobs, better, more sane lives...

Those who end up staying are still going to:

Have managers trying to make their lives miserable to try and get them to quit.
Still going to be held accountable for things way beyond their control.
Be in a dead end job that they are just trying to hang on to.
Be stressed to the gills, waiting for the next round of cuts...

Better to move on, take the pain now even though the economy sucks,
and put this nightmare called Merck Pharmaceutical Company behind you.
 




Anonymous said:
It is interesting that a great deal of the debate here on CP is concerning who
will stay and who will be let go on the sales force. What surprises me a bit though,
is the lack of debate on what happens to those who do stay...Specifically, those older
reps that for whatever reason, (fear of lawsuits) keep their silly drug rep job.

This is clearly a case of "Be careful what you wish for."

Me thinks that the people that end up leaving, will go on to ultimately better jobs,
and if not better jobs, better, more sane lives...

Those who end up staying are still going to:

Have managers trying to make their lives miserable to try and get them to quit.
Still going to be held accountable for things way beyond their control.
Be in a dead end job that they are just trying to hang on to.
Be stressed to the gills, waiting for the next round of cuts...

Better to move on, take the pain now even though the economy sucks,
and put this nightmare called Merck Pharmaceutical Company behind you.
Click to expand...

....those who do stay...Specifically, those older
reps that for whatever reason, (fear of lawsuits) keep their silly drug rep job.......

.......for those with a brain and who already have 10 or 15 years in and are vested there is no sense in staying any longer....the thought of being a rep with the BS constant knocking you down is not worth all it takes on you....can start a new career if in your 30s, 40s or even early 50s.
 




Anonymous said:
....those who do stay...Specifically, those older
reps that for whatever reason, (fear of lawsuits) keep their silly drug rep job.......

.......for those with a brain and who already have 10 or 15 years in and are vested there is no sense in staying any longer....the thought of being a rep with the BS constant knocking you down is not worth all it takes on you....can start a new career if in your 30s, 40s or even early 50s.
Click to expand...
kudos and respect on your posting....so true...that is what baffles me so much...Merck reps seem to think they are so stuck and have no other options in life...No one said it would be easy to break away, but it can be done as you say, even in your early 50s...who needs this crap? You will probably have to ratchet down the lifestyle a bit, but so what? No one's sanity is worth this Merck craziness...
 




Anonymous said:
kudos and respect on your posting....so true...that is what baffles me so much...Merck reps seem to think they are so stuck and have no other options in life...No one said it would be easy to break away, but it can be done as you say, even in your early 50s...who needs this crap? You will probably have to ratchet down the lifestyle a bit, but so what? No one's sanity is worth this Merck craziness...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm doing it in my mid-50's to save my sanity. If I thought for a second that Merck would improve I'd certainly attempt to stick it out. Having come to peace with my decision to leave, my physical health has already improved. It was critical for me to realize physical health trumps fiscal health no matter what your age. It just gets harder for middle-aged employees to deal with that fact.
 




Anonymous said:
Agreed. I'm doing it in my mid-50's to save my sanity. If I thought for a second that Merck would improve I'd certainly attempt to stick it out. Having come to peace with my decision to leave, my physical health has already improved. It was critical for me to realize physical health trumps fiscal health no matter what your age. It just gets harder for middle-aged employees to deal with that fact.
Click to expand...

Bravo. Well put. I left months ago and haven't been this well in years. You won't miss that cesspool at all. Now, if only my thousands of options would gain in value---then I'd cut my ties with Merck forever.
 




Different situation. Opting to hang in as long as I can. Later 50s, no pension and not yet close to the big 10 needed and medical buy in. Too old to start the clock and try for another 10 someplace else. Guess I'll take what they dish.
 




Anonymous said:
Agreed. I'm doing it in my mid-50's to save my sanity. If I thought for a second that Merck would improve I'd certainly attempt to stick it out. Having come to peace with my decision to leave, my physical health has already improved. It was critical for me to realize physical health trumps fiscal health no matter what your age. It just gets harder for middle-aged employees to deal with that fact.
Click to expand...

Huh??? If you cant meet your bills, physical health will decline big time. And it will happen concurrently with your ability to keep your home. Hope the spouse has a good job so you dont wind up in the street.
 




Anonymous said:
It is interesting that a great deal of the debate here on CP is concerning who
will stay and who will be let go on the sales force. What surprises me a bit though,
is the lack of debate on what happens to those who do stay...Specifically, those older
reps that for whatever reason, (fear of lawsuits) keep their silly drug rep job.

This is clearly a case of "Be careful what you wish for."

Me thinks that the people that end up leaving, will go on to ultimately better jobs,
and if not better jobs, better, more sane lives...

Those who end up staying are still going to:

Have managers trying to make their lives miserable to try and get them to quit.
Still going to be held accountable for things way beyond their control.
Be in a dead end job that they are just trying to hang on to.
Be stressed to the gills, waiting for the next round of cuts...

Better to move on, take the pain now even though the economy sucks,
and put this nightmare called Merck Pharmaceutical Company behind you.
Click to expand...

Why only reps what about managers? Can't they get better jobs somewhere else.
 




Anonymous said:
kudos and respect on your posting....so true...that is what baffles me so much...Merck reps seem to think they are so stuck and have no other options in life...No one said it would be easy to break away, but it can be done as you say, even in your early 50s...who needs this crap? You will probably have to ratchet down the lifestyle a bit, but so what? No one's sanity is worth this Merck craziness...
Click to expand...

Above probably written by a legacy employee. One or two companies on the resume, held
(I mean stuck) in mothers arms twenty years or more. They know the rigors of job search and UI stress. We know you must nudge us Mr Manager.....now go back and sit on your tuffet.
 








"Ok...so let's say you avoid the upcoming carnage and end up staying...."

...Then I feel sorry for you. Getting out of this mess is a victory. Do it with a package and you're doubly lucky. Just do everything you can to get out---disagree openly with your manager, marketing plans, etc. That should get you a pink slip. If you're between 35-45, you're gone anyhow, as those are the ones who are making more money but still not likely to win an age discrimination lawsuit. The layoffs have absolutely nothing to do with performance.
 




Whoever is name calling our job silly, crappy and here a cesspool ...tell us all...why are you still here? Still willing to put up with the craziness? Where is your sanity?
 




Anonymous said:
Whoever is name calling our job silly, crappy and here a cesspool ...tell us all...why are you still here? Still willing to put up with the craziness? Where is your sanity?
Click to expand...

It is easier to state it clearly here why a person should salvage his dignity and sanity and leave if possible. Then there is the reality and the fear factor. I left not knowing what was next except the belief that the good ole Lord will take care of me. I had to adjust my lifestyle downward. You don't have to live like a pauper but you definitely have to be more frugal. The feeling of relief set in quickly. The sick "sense of urgency" slowly disappeared. At times you felt like you could have stayed and show them you could tough it out. Eventually you began to feel the freedom, the lack of unnecessary stress, and realize there is so much out there post-Merck.
 




Anonymous said:
It is easier to state it clearly here why a person should salvage his dignity and sanity and leave if possible. Then there is the reality and the fear factor. I left not knowing what was next except the belief that the good ole Lord will take care of me. I had to adjust my lifestyle downward. You don't have to live like a pauper but you definitely have to be more frugal. The feeling of relief set in quickly. The sick "sense of urgency" slowly disappeared. At times you felt like you could have stayed and show them you could tough it out. Eventually you began to feel the freedom, the lack of unnecessary stress, and realize there is so much out there post-Merck.
Click to expand...


Personally not so worried have a working spouse and part of our house is rented to family members for added income. My payoff package will be good with over 10 years. Some team mates in totally different situation with few years and sole breadwinners.
 




Anonymous said:
"Ok...so let's say you avoid the upcoming carnage and end up staying...."

...Then I feel sorry for you. Getting out of this mess is a victory. Do it with a package and you're doubly lucky. Just do everything you can to get out---disagree openly with your manager, marketing plans, etc. That should get you a pink slip. If you're between 35-45, you're gone anyhow, as those are the ones who are making more money but still not likely to win an age discrimination lawsuit. The layoffs have absolutely nothing to do with performance.
Click to expand...

We already know who are going, S ranking, remember? If you're S3 you're a keeper...
 




Anonymous said:
It is easier to state it clearly here why a person should salvage his dignity and sanity and leave if possible. Then there is the reality and the fear factor. I left not knowing what was next except the belief that the good ole Lord will take care of me. I had to adjust my lifestyle downward. You don't have to live like a pauper but you definitely have to be more frugal. The feeling of relief set in quickly. The sick "sense of urgency" slowly disappeared. At times you felt like you could have stayed and show them you could tough it out. Eventually you began to feel the freedom, the lack of unnecessary stress, and realize there is so much out there post-Merck.
Click to expand...
Bravo!! Great post...and it is important that you acknowledge what keeps 95% of Merck reps at Merck...it is the fear factor...hell, drug reps aren't exactly big risktakers to start with...that is why they glom on to the safe, salaried job in the first place...

Like you, I decided to put my faith in the Lord, (and I am not really religious) and see what the future brings...Yes, it is scary, but the prospect of spending the rest of my middle-aged years at Merck was even scarier!!
 




Anonymous said:
Bravo!! Great post...and it is important that you acknowledge what keeps 95% of Merck reps at Merck...it is the fear factor...hell, drug reps aren't exactly big risktakers to start with...that is why they glom on to the safe, salaried job in the first place...

Like you, I decided to put my faith in the Lord, (and I am not really religious) and see what the future brings...Yes, it is scary, but the prospect of spending the rest of my middle-aged years at Merck was even scarier!!
Click to expand...

Depends on your financial situation. Period.
 




Anonymous said:
Depends on your financial situation. Period.
Click to expand...

I contend it depends even more on the person. I'm not a risk taker either (as a pp accurately described most of us salaried types) but when things at Merck reached my threshold tolerance, salary didn't matter anymore. I'd also like to say the fears I had as a rep at Merck are 180 degrees from the fears I have now. Merck fears caused a negative, sick and depressing feeling. My fears now are much more liberating, motivating, and positive. I've taken a contract job that I know is temporary as I continue to narrow my focus on best options and opportunities. The main thing is to stay in the game because showing up is 90% of it. Just having a greater sense of control over my decisions and reaching my goals makes all the difference.
 








Anonymous said:
I contend it depends even more on the person. I'm not a risk taker either (as a pp accurately described most of us salaried types) but when things at Merck reached my threshold tolerance, salary didn't matter anymore. I'd also like to say the fears I had as a rep at Merck are 180 degrees from the fears I have now. Merck fears caused a negative, sick and depressing feeling. My fears now are much more liberating, motivating, and positive. I've taken a contract job that I know is temporary as I continue to narrow my focus on best options and opportunities. The main thing is to stay in the game because showing up is 90% of it. Just having a greater sense of control over my decisions and reaching my goals makes all the difference.
Click to expand...

Fear of the contract job is if the company will lose the contract. or how quickly will they line up a new one. Fears at Merck transcend that. The manager in a subtle way destroy a rep on a very personal manner. I always saw myself as a resilient person that have weathered many crises at Merck and in life. But Merck slowly turned the job into a meaningless one while the manager critiques you as a rep and as a human being. There is no reason for the latter at all. If you show your face and am visible every day on territory you have already done 50% of the job.
 




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