Merck to Eliminate 6,800 Jobs
Merck announced today that as part of its ongoing restructuring plan to cut costs it will eliminate approximately 7,200 positions — 6,800 active employees and 400 vacancies — across all areas of the Company worldwide by the end of 2011. This amounts to a 12 percent reduction in the company’s workforce. About 40 percent of the total reductions will occur in the United States. To streamline management layers across the Company, Merck will reduce its total number of senior and mid-level executives by approximately 25 percent. These positions are in addition to the 10,400 positions. As of Sept. 30, Merck has approximately 56,700 employees. In addition to the layoffs, Merck will close three research facilities; one in Tsukuba, Japan; another in Pomezia, Italy and one in Seattle Washington by the end of 2009.
Merck expects the 2008 cutbacks to save the company $3.8 billion to $4.2 billion over the next five years. BioJobBlog reported several weeks ago that Merck had been quietly laying off employees since September. I suspect that today’s announcement comes as no surprise to employees who still work at the Company.
New Jersey once dubbed “America’s medicine chest” is starting to look less full!
Until next time…
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting
