Get your affairs in order NOW! Unlike prior RIFs there will be no where to lateral to this time around. Musical chairs with no chairs this go around.
Make connections, float resumes, contact colleagues at other companies - take action. You don't want to be out of work during the holidays nor to you want large gaps on your resume as it limits your comp negotiations.
You heard it here first. Red alert, red alert.
When your call comes ask HR for an accelerated separation package bypassing warn. This will get you ahead of the pack as you don't want to be fighting with fellow Merckies for the same shit job openings (external) in the same cities.
You knew this day was coming. Calls a comin.