Merck Reviews

Pros

After the merger with Schlering Plough work was consistent.

Cons

Lower & Middle management needs leadership skills training. In 6-9 mos they were made into supervisor and managers. 40% of the staff is contingent workers but instead of hiring experienced worker the workforce is new entry college graduates and bi-lingual employees who have no experiences but just know the language that management needs to do business. Definitely a lot of favoritism.

Advice to Senior Management

Attend leadership courses and perhaps create a mentor program for entry level managers. Make sure that the managers are professionals at all time.

Pros

Strong financial foundation allows for long term success
Merck people do care about the company and each other
Pharma hours - see 9 - 5 as a long day

Cons

Culture is broken, trying to avoid the mistakes of the past - Vioxx for Merck the Consent Decree for Schering. Radically different management styles between the two companies with no reasonable way to blend them. Efforts are being wasted trying to satisfy both sides while everyone is looking for cover.

Advice to Senior Management

Merck culture and practices should prevail. Stop trying to be nice to Schering and recognize the new company is stilled called Merck.

Pros

Good pay scale and benefits package compared to similar job outside of Merck. You get to meet and work with a lot of talented people.

Cons

If you are not on a "career track" you can get stuck in that position. There are too many management level positions and too many power struggles. It used to be that employees retired from Merck. Not any more.

Pros

Good pay, great training, learned a lot of valuable things. This was my first job out of college so I was happy.

Cons

You may get stuck with a micro manager. Very big organization so you feel like just another number a lot.

Advice to Senior Management

Overall your doing a good job, and a lot of it is out of your control. Try not to micro manage.

Pros

Unlimited opportunity, especially if you are open to relocation. The company has a good reputation which opens doors.

Cons

Pharma sales is a changing industry and the future of the "field sales rep" role is somewhat unknown.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to be honest and transparent with the sales force. Let employees contribute to ongoing changes & structure.

Pros

Flexibility, easy to learn, friendly environment,

Cons

slow not easy process to gain access to the system

Advice to Senior Management

No department communication,

Pros

The company is going through a major transformation and everyone is challenging the existing Business model which makes for an energized environment open to new ideas.

Cons

The restructuring after the merger with SP has resulted in significant layoffs which have limited opportunities for carreer development / growth. Still not done with downsizing...

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to the people closest to our customers. Too many decisions based on limited interactions by senior leaders with customers.

Pros

It is one of the world's largest Pharma company's

Cons

Risk averse, too many management layers, bureacratic, passive aggressive culture.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire some outside leadership

Pros

Contribution to society - great mission to improve Global Health. You get to work with the smartest people on the planet.

Cons

Constant down-sizing - you feel like you are always working under the threat of job-loss. Not the most motivational situation at the moment.

Advice to Senior Management

Settle the organization down. We all understand things are changing and evolving - however, there must be a point at which we can look forward, instead of over our shoulders.

Pros

One of the top pharmaceutical companies in the industry. Respectable salary and benefits are provided, plus flexible work options are available.

Cons

Post merger pains - culture clash. Too much outsourcing. Constant threat of layoffs. Low employee morale. Office is like a ghost town.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop all the outsourcing. It's not saving you money because the resources are slow and most of their work has to be reworked by internal resources.