So how will the layoffs go down?

[Anonymous]

think we should know within the month. Headcount 'exercises' currently going on. It was cryptically noted in the business brief and no one asked directly about lay off numbers. Company cannot sustain long-term obligations such as pension. In the meantime, Ken would like us all to be 'tenacious', share our ideas and be empowered. Unfortunately, our managers haven't gotten that memo yet!

Have been looking and the only thing available are plenty of contracting positions within Merck; so it appears the company is moving in that direction across the company.

Sad but true

 

[Anonymous]

is it sales or everything at Merck? Are there any safe places to go to?

The only place that has gotten a firm commitment from the CEO - R&D

 

[Anonymous]

The only place that has gotten a firm commitment from the CEO - R&D

Even though Merck is committed to R&D, it does not mean that it will remain completely untouched... In the name of cost savings, it's easy to envision smaller R&D sites closing and yet another round of re-arrangements and project movements within the existing/remaining R&D structure.

 

[Anonymous]

Choices for layoffs....guess by rank....rank from manager....and stangers (aka management team) Come on....isnt this a disaster of a process.

 

[Anonymous]

True - MAXIMAL headcount for the New Merck when the dust settles will be ~75,000 (it's now 94K)...and quite possibly less!

You can do the same work as someone else, hours in, performance etc but you can be cut, plain and simple. If someone high wants you in the group you will be gone. Doubt if anyone will disagree....reason to have friends in high places. Its the way of corporate USA. Agree?

 

[Anonymous]

This week BusinessWeek did an article about how K. Frazier is spending more $$ on R&D.

 

[Anonymous]

Reps- get ready for"business reviews" and focus on calls and frequency. Upper management looking for manhours really needed at territory level -home office person who is looking out for you.

 

[Anonymous]

Reps- get ready for"business reviews" and focus on calls and frequency. Upper management looking for manhours really needed at territory level -home office person who is looking out for you.

Calls and frequency must be possible for this to work. Easy in rural areas. Not in metropolitan centers or where big group practices or docs limit or lock out. Does this mean we could be down rated on business reviews? Need to make magic.

 

[Anonymous]

Choices for layoffs....guess by rank....rank from manager....and stangers (aka management team) Come on....isnt this a disaster of a process.

Group decision always best IF managers have real experience with other reps. It prevents bias.

 

[Anonymous]

Choices for layoffs....guess by rank....rank from manager....and stangers (aka management team) Come on....isnt this a disaster of a process.

Some managers are stangers too.

 

[Anonymous]

You can do the same work as someone else, hours in, performance etc but you can be cut, plain and simple. If someone high wants you in the group you will be gone. Doubt if anyone will disagree....reason to have friends in high places. Its the way of corporate USA. Agree?

Definitely agree. I'm in house as opposed to most posters on here who seem to be field/sales. It's no better at any of the sites and I think everyone is feeling the same demoralizing pressure. Almost like they want people to quit, and it's been like this for a few years now.

It's all about favoritism - at Merck anyway. You can work longer, harder, smarter but the one who's cozy with the boss is the one who gets promoted, more perks, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

Tried to post an article "DEATH OF PHARMACEUTICAL DETAILING" on mothers board a few times but cafe pharma administrators keep blocking it. Don't know why but it makes me wonder why they let Novartis post it but not Merck. Anyway, google the article if you are interested. It details (no pun intended) the inevitable.