The "Sin" of trying to be an older sales rep at Merck

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are correct there. But still, a lot of people come on here and discuss their own days and how they work p/t, go home at 2, it's a mommy job, etc. I agree though that a lot of us (I left the industry recently) worked/work far more than reps in different industries. I know I did a lot of the time. Almost ruined my marriage actually b/c of how much friggin time I had to spend on my computer at night. My spouse couldn't understand why we couldn't get our shit done during the day, but we couldn't take tests, watch bs videos, and do a lot of things during the day or else we get our asses chewed out for uh, "not working 8-5". When my dipass younger, female manager said something once to the whole district that our "hours are 8-5, and we need to be working 8-5", I piped up and said well if it's 8-5 then why can't we do all our admin (shit) and all the other stuff during the day then? Umm, because if our hours are actually 8-5 then I'm working far too much overtime, and need to stop. lol. That stupid (bleep) had to then start talking out of both sides of her mouth.
She is the main reason I left the industry. Me-43 and female also, her 34, and a huge know-it-all, know nothing. It's tough being a tenured, older rep and getting dipshits for bosses. I couldn't take it any longer, and left. No missy the job! Much happier.

So true. You get either young wise ass managers who have very little life experience. They feel so sure of themselves to boss around people who can actually run circles around them. Sometime you get managers who are afraid their own incompetence might be seen. They'll make them good reps look like the worst mistake Merck ever made. In the end the best managers are older, have a lot of career or work experience and are self confident enough not to be on a constant seek and destroy.

 

[Anonymous]

As anyone who sticks around this toxic waste dump can testify to, aging
at Merck is a job killer...(Assuming you want to try and make a career out of this
ridiculous industry.)

The evil managers start heaping out large dollops of abuse on those who are
experienced and trying to make it to at least 55...Even if you are not put on a
PIP, you can feel the poison spewing from the DMs against the 45+ club...

The youngin's don't get it...But they will when they get that laser light focused
on their backs...All of the sudden those all stars can no longer doing anything right
when Merck decides they want them out...

This is no way to live people...There is nothing sexy about becoming Willy Loman
at Merck...Death of a Salesman? Not even...Death of a detail drug rep...Fugly..

This is true for the lab people, office workers and even the guys/gals on production line. Welcome to America and corporate greed. Then again, is it any different than what the more conservative mouths on this board have said praising Christie, Walker and Ryan?

Take a look at what people are complaining about. High taxes and the cost to keep experienced teachers, police/fireman or even a gov't employee.

So, what goes around comes around. Cut the teachers et al and because they aren't buying our products anymore........cuts will come back to us.

We are all in this ponzi scheme together. Picking on one comes back to get us. Well, that is except if your one of the top 10% $ makers in the country. Then it is sit back and watch the children fight one another.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are correct there. But still, a lot of people come on here and discuss their own days and how they work p/t, go home at 2, it's a mommy job, etc. I agree though that a lot of us (I left the industry recently) worked/work far more than reps in different industries. I know I did a lot of the time. Almost ruined my marriage actually b/c of how much friggin time I had to spend on my computer at night. My spouse couldn't understand why we couldn't get our shit done during the day, but we couldn't take tests, watch bs videos, and do a lot of things during the day or else we get our asses chewed out for uh, "not working 8-5". When my dipass younger, female manager said something once to the whole district that our "hours are 8-5, and we need to be working 8-5", I piped up and said well if it's 8-5 then why can't we do all our admin (shit) and all the other stuff during the day then? Umm, because if our hours are actually 8-5 then I'm working far too much overtime, and need to stop. lol. That stupid (bleep) had to then start talking out of both sides of her mouth.
She is the main reason I left the industry. Me-43 and female also, her 34, and a huge know-it-all, know nothing. It's tough being a tenured, older rep and getting dipshits for bosses. I couldn't take it any longer, and left. No missy the job! Much happier.

So glad to read this post. Don't understand how many came here and claimed this is a part-time job. I did have a former colleague that worked the job like a part-time job. The end result was others have to pick up the slacks and none were too happy. Once I had a manager, female, saying something about work life balance and may be we could take time off on Wednesday afternoons to catch up on studies, tests and more. But then she suggested we made it up by working on Saturday mornings. Lots of the Ken and Barbie models work the job like part-time jobs too. But reps like myself have to cover them, take over a lunch at the last minute all the time, or order food for them, or show up and be there when it was theirs so they could wake up from a party the night before and get dressed and showed up by noon.

 

[Anonymous]

This is true for the lab people, office workers and even the guys/gals on production line. Welcome to America and corporate greed. Then again, is it any different than what the more conservative mouths on this board have said praising Christie, Walker and Ryan?

Take a look at what people are complaining about. High taxes and the cost to keep experienced teachers, police/fireman or even a gov't employee.

So, what goes around comes around. Cut the teachers et al and because they aren't buying our products anymore........cuts will come back to us.

We are all in this ponzi scheme together. Picking on one comes back to get us. Well, that is except if your one of the top 10% $ makers in the country. Then it is sit back and watch the children fight one another.

"Take a look at what people are complaining about. High taxes and the cost to keep experienced teachers, police/fireman or even a gov't employee". .......take a long look and tell them they cannot be living getting such extravagance in their salary, benefits sn pensions...all on the backs of people who can have no pension or healthcare themselves
......people who may lose their homes due to the enormous taxes needed to give such lavish perks.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are correct there. But still, a lot of people come on here and discuss their own days and how they work p/t, go home at 2, it's a mommy job, etc. I agree though that a lot of us (I left the industry recently) worked/work far more than reps in different industries. I know I did a lot of the time. Almost ruined my marriage actually b/c of how much friggin time I had to spend on my computer at night. My spouse couldn't understand why we couldn't get our shit done during the day, but we couldn't take tests, watch bs videos, and do a lot of things during the day or else we get our asses chewed out for uh, "not working 8-5". When my dipass younger, female manager said something once to the whole district that our "hours are 8-5, and we need to be working 8-5", I piped up and said well if it's 8-5 then why can't we do all our admin (shit) and all the other stuff during the day then? Umm, because if our hours are actually 8-5 then I'm working far too much overtime, and need to stop. lol. That stupid (bleep) had to then start talking out of both sides of her mouth.
She is the main reason I left the industry. Me-43 and female also, her 34, and a huge know-it-all, know nothing. It's tough being a tenured, older rep and getting dipshits for bosses. I couldn't take it any longer, and left. No missy the job! Much happier.

you are not alone...same scenario for me...i got out of this stupid toxic job and am so glad i finally did...wish i had never wasted my time and talent in the pharmaceutical industry.

 

[Anonymous]

you are not alone...same scenario for me...i got out of this stupid toxic job and am so glad i finally did...wish i had never wasted my time and talent in the pharmaceutical industry.

The pharmaceutical industry once was a great gig regardless of your job or level. That began to change around the mid-90's and has spread throughout Merck from sales to admin to research to production. Everywhere it sucks-line or staff-you name it.

 

[Anonymous]

So glad to read this post. Don't understand how many came here and claimed this is a part-time job. I did have a former colleague that worked the job like a part-time job. The end result was others have to pick up the slacks and none were too happy. Once I had a manager, female, saying something about work life balance and may be we could take time off on Wednesday afternoons to catch up on studies, tests and more. But then she suggested we made it up by working on Saturday mornings. Lots of the Ken and Barbie models work the job like part-time jobs too. But reps like myself have to cover them, take over a lunch at the last minute all the time, or order food for them, or show up and be there when it was theirs so they could wake up from a party the night before and get dressed and showed up by noon.

No, you don't "have to pick up the slacks" as the sun will still shine and the world will keep turning if you don't. You mistakenly take the job or yourself or both much too seriously. Let the lunch go or are you afraid of what might happen if you do? You have to be willing to admit the level of importance of what you do in your job is not all that important to anyone other than you.

 

[Anonymous]

"Take a look at what people are complaining about. High taxes and the cost to keep experienced teachers, police/fireman or even a gov't employee". .......take a long look and tell them they cannot be living getting such extravagance in their salary, benefits sn pensions...all on the backs of people who can have no pension or healthcare themselves
......people who may lose their homes due to the enormous taxes needed to give such lavish perks.

actually they aren't getting such lavish perks. But, you won't really look at that. You're too busy crying about how you are paying too much. It is always the 'other guy' getting the better package.

Guess what, when those teachers/firemen/police all lose their jobs or move to another career (if they're lucky) and you can't replace them. I wonder how well your property values will do?

Also, when those wonderful perks for health benefits they had are cut, guess what they will cut? Yes, Rx coverage. That means less profits for Mother. Less profits for Mother means another round of layoffs for sales reps.

Why do you think insurance companies and the gov't is trying to get lower prices for Rx? Because the public cannot continue to pay your lavish salary, benefits and perks!

 

[Anonymous]

No, you don't "have to pick up the slacks" as the sun will still shine and the world will keep turning if you don't. You mistakenly take the job or yourself or both much too seriously. Let the lunch go or are you afraid of what might happen if you do? You have to be willing to admit the level of importance of what you do in your job is not all that important to anyone other than you.

It is my retentive nature, I guess. Or that after knowing these customers for decades to have younger reps cancel out the morning of a lunch and once, hours before a lunch. Nothing to do with Merck. Too much pride in wanting to do a job right. It is a personal "flaw".

 

[Anonymous]

actually they aren't getting such lavish perks. But, you won't really look at that. You're too busy crying about how you are paying too much. It is always the 'other guy' getting the better package.

Guess what, when those teachers/firemen/police all lose their jobs or move to another career (if they're lucky) and you can't replace them. I wonder how well your property values will do?

Also, when those wonderful perks for health benefits they had are cut, guess what they will cut? Yes, Rx coverage. That means less profits for Mother. Less profits for Mother means another round of layoffs for sales reps.

Why do you think insurance companies and the gov't is trying to get lower prices for Rx? Because the public cannot continue to pay your lavish salary, benefits and perks!

In our area of the country teachers make six figures for working less than 10 months....retire on six figure income and no contribution toward the best medical, dental and vision plan you can buy. Fireman and police make close to six figures with high end benefits too. Sargent, captains and above make six figures...all of them are eligible for overtime to feed massive salary add-ons. Their retirement package is enormous just like the teachers. Even the sanitation people make massive salaries.Average property tax even without any kids in the schools averages over 10K yearly and goes to 75K or much more. Retirees, few left anymore. I barely contribute to my 401K and the wife must work. When you talk about public service workers compensation "lavish" is an understatement. The tax bill it generates is a major reason why people are being forced to leave our area. Next it will be us.

 

[Anonymous]

It is my retentive nature, I guess. Or that after knowing these customers for decades to have younger reps cancel out the morning of a lunch and once, hours before a lunch. Nothing to do with Merck. Too much pride in wanting to do a job right. It is a personal "flaw".

If only we had more reps with your "flaw" who took pride in their manner of doing a job right, regardless of whether it's cleaning toilets, delivering UPS packages, or being a pharma rep. I think you have hit upon what is so difficult about the rep's job for so many younger as well as some older reps. They perceive the job to be a joke and let that carry over to a loss of pride in themselves. They make the mistake of letting the job become their identity. Now that is a serious flaw. One's identity comes not from the job itself but from how one does the job. You are to be congratulated! If Merck were on the ball, you would be leading workshops on this critically important concept to a rep's success in their work as well as in their personal life.

 

[Anonymous]

If only we had more reps with your "flaw" who took pride in their manner of doing a job right, regardless of whether it's cleaning toilets, delivering UPS packages, or being a pharma rep. I think you have hit upon what is so difficult about the rep's job for so many younger as well as some older reps. They perceive the job to be a joke and let that carry over to a loss of pride in themselves. They make the mistake of letting the job become their identity. Now that is a serious flaw. One's identity comes not from the job itself but from how one does the job. You are to be congratulated! If Merck were on the ball, you would be leading workshops on this critically important concept to a rep's success in their work as well as in their personal life.

The overlooked employee......
People with integrity
They take personal pride
Are conscientious
Go the extra mile
Can be depended on
Do the right thing

...Should be valued and appreciated more and be rewarded as such.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are correct there. But still, a lot of people come on here and discuss their own days and how they work p/t, go home at 2, it's a mommy job, etc. I agree though that a lot of us (I left the industry recently) worked/work far more than reps in different industries. I know I did a lot of the time. Almost ruined my marriage actually b/c of how much friggin time I had to spend on my computer at night. My spouse couldn't understand why we couldn't get our shit done during the day, but we couldn't take tests, watch bs videos, and do a lot of things during the day or else we get our asses chewed out for uh, "not working 8-5". When my dipass younger, female manager said something once to the whole district that our "hours are 8-5, and we need to be working 8-5", I piped up and said well if it's 8-5 then why can't we do all our admin (shit) and all the other stuff during the day then? Umm, because if our hours are actually 8-5 then I'm working far too much overtime, and need to stop. lol. That stupid (bleep) had to then start talking out of both sides of her mouth.
She is the main reason I left the industry. Me-43 and female also, her 34, and a huge know-it-all, know nothing. It's tough being a tenured, older rep and getting dipshits for bosses. I couldn't take it any longer, and left. No missy the job! Much happier.

Transfer your days to an office and its a 9AM start with a sometimes 8AM for meetings. Rep job is a see the doc first thing on certain accounts at certain times. When I'm sitting in a waiting room at 9AM some office managers get PO'ed for not giving them time to "settle in." Bottom line is you know the job. Do it on a grown up schedule and fit in all everything that needs to get done in one day. Could take you 6-5, 10-10, 9-5 or 8-8. Manager needs to grow up and treat professionals like professionals.

 

[Anonymous]

The overlooked employee......
People with integrity
They take personal pride
Are conscientious
Go the extra mile
Can be depended on
Do the right thing

...Should be valued and appreciated more and be rewarded as such.

Which means they should be working somewhere else. Merck abandoned the value and appreciation approach a few years ago.

 

[Anonymous]

If only we had more reps with your "flaw" who took pride in their manner of doing a job right, regardless of whether it's cleaning toilets, delivering UPS packages, or being a pharma rep. I think you have hit upon what is so difficult about the rep's job for so many younger as well as some older reps. They perceive the job to be a joke and let that carry over to a loss of pride in themselves. They make the mistake of letting the job become their identity. Now that is a serious flaw. One's identity comes not from the job itself but from how one does the job. You are to be congratulated! If Merck were on the ball, you would be leading workshops on this critically important concept to a rep's success in their work as well as in their personal life.

I am now retired. I knew my "flaw" was not kosher in the new Merck. Ken and Barbie models would gather on Wednesday afternoons to drink and be merry. They knew I would still out making one or two calls since most offices are closed on Wednesdays. Soon they don't even invite me to the Wednesday outings anymore. They gave me the look and wonder what was the big deal canceling out on lunches (to me it spells "commitment" and a "promise") for whatever reason, including for one Ken, he was out late often this ideal dream woman 100 miles away. Soon I realize Merck is not the old Merck anymore. Those with inner qualities and values are not treasured. Those who dress well, speak eloquently, and detail perfectly in workshops are praised and rewarded. It was time for me to retire and to live my life in a normal world, away from this twisted toxic corporate culture.

 

[Anonymous]

Which means they should be working somewhere else. Merck abandoned the value and appreciation approach a few years ago.

A good friend, an old timer, would make sales calls after a district meeting on his/her way back home. To me that is dedication. Yet he/she became an early retirement casualty.

 

[Anonymous]

You rarely hear the term "work ethic" anymore and someone who stays out late making calls is not only a rarity but seems to be considered something akin to a freak by thier peers at merck. But I can't say as I blame people. Corporate profits are at an all time high but wages and salaries accounted for just 1% of economic growth in the first 18 months after economists declared that the recession had ended in June 2009. Corporate profits accounted for an unprecedented 88% of economic growth during those first 18 months compared with 53% after the 2001 recession. Unemployment is at 9.2% with corporate america, including merck, promising more job cuts. All the while demanding that we spend more for thier products. $200 a month Januvia comes to mind. Obama says that unless the debt ceiling is raised that he can't promise that social security and veterans benefits will be paid. Of course the president and congress won't miss a check or any of thier benefits. They all went home this week. the democrat led congress never passed a budget last year. america is one fucked up place.

 

[Anonymous]

You rarely hear the term "work ethic" anymore and someone who stays out late making calls is not only a rarity but seems to be considered something akin to a freak by thier peers at merck. But I can't say as I blame people. Corporate profits are at an all time high but wages and salaries accounted for just 1% of economic growth in the first 18 months after economists declared that the recession had ended in June 2009. Corporate profits accounted for an unprecedented 88% of economic growth during those first 18 months compared with 53% after the 2001 recession. Unemployment is at 9.2% with corporate america, including merck, promising more job cuts. All the while demanding that we spend more for thier products. $200 a month Januvia comes to mind. Obama says that unless the debt ceiling is raised that he can't promise that social security and veterans benefits will be paid. Of course the president and congress won't miss a check or any of thier benefits. They all went home this week. the democrat led congress never passed a budget last year. america is one fucked up place.

...and no one touches lavish welfare and medicaid payouts. Once again the its the people who are work and are willing to work who take the heat and do without....

 

[Anonymous]

I am now retired. I knew my "flaw" was not kosher in the new Merck. Ken and Barbie models would gather on Wednesday afternoons to drink and be merry. They knew I would still out making one or two calls since most offices are closed on Wednesdays. Soon they don't even invite me to the Wednesday outings anymore. They gave me the look and wonder what was the big deal canceling out on lunches (to me it spells "commitment" and a "promise") for whatever reason, including for one Ken, he was out late often this ideal dream woman 100 miles away. Soon I realize Merck is not the old Merck anymore. Those with inner qualities and values are not treasured. Those who dress well, speak eloquently, and detail perfectly in workshops are praised and rewarded. It was time for me to retire and to live my life in a normal world, away from this twisted toxic corporate culture.

I suspected as much that you might be retired and I don't blame you for getting out of our dysfunctional corporate environment. I know we all have our flaws but it seems there is an extreme shortage of people of character that one can respect and look up to in our corporation as well as society. It's a sad sad day when there is no one currently at Merck who comes to mind as worthy of admiration and respect. Instead we have a bunch of parasitic gamers feeding off a company that was once vibrant and healthy but is now very sick from the resultant "twisted toxic corporate culture" that supports them. If only Merck could heal thyself.

 

[Anonymous]

Gramps is right; you all have gravy train jobs and still continue to whine and moan about how mean old Merck is screwing you out of everything you deserve in life. You do absolutely NOTHING for the paycheck you get - some paperwork, a few lunches, maybe a little slap and tickle for some/most of you in order to really "sell" yourself to your customers and keep yourself ahead in the bonus race (the drugs sell themselves, people; if it doesn't work, a doctor won't prescribe it to his patients - he really doesn't need you to convince him). Merck is the pimp; you are the well-paid escorts.

If drugs sell themselves why does everyone have field sales? You are an idiot!