Sanofi-Aventis Layoffs Coming In Dribs And Drabs
4 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // February 25th, 2010 // 8:06 am
Over the past few weeks, reports have been filtering in that the drugmaker is slowly reducing headcount in various locations around the US, with the latest involving about 70 positions, including some in medical affairs from the Bridgewater, NJ, location, which functions as US headquarters. This follows info that a couple of dozen employees were recently let go last month. A spokesman was unable to comment, but our sources are reliable.
The cutbacks come after Sanofi-Aventis last year told employees there would be attempts to avoid layoffs and the ‘l’ word was downplayed during discussions concerning belt-tightening. Nonetheless, the layoffs are hardly surprising, given the pressure big drugmakers are under. And given that tens of thousands of jobs have disappeared from the industry in recent years, these job losses amount to the proverbial drop in the bucket. Still, now you know. What will be interesting to watch is whether the US workforce will bear the brunt of further cutbacks, given that Sanofi, which is based in France, is careful not to offend the French government and unions over job cuts.
disentchanted
Your story is right on..The big “L” word is never discussed.It is the corporate way to keep things under the radar screen and especially out of the news media when it comes to downsizing. HR speak about retaining the best talent for the long term throughout the company is also a big farce!
pharmavet
I wonder if the “dribs and drabs” is a way to get around the WARN act?
s-a insider
In addition to saving the company money with respect to “avoiding” the WARN act, the company is not honoring the retroactive pay increases previously promised (via e-mail communication to the group) to eligible employees that are still employed by s-a on 15MAR10 - despite the “transformed” colleagues being employed through 19MAR10.
Because health matters…. yeah, right.
Former SA Employee
The filthy ceo is again saying one thing and doing another. “There will be no layoffs”, oh did I mention that laying off workers with severence packages does not fall within the realm of LAYOFF. Amazing how a once great company has now turned into a big mess thanks to a sleezebag accountant, now ceo, from astra-zenica. If anyone is wondering, the toxicology and drug metabolism departments are now closed at the Great Valley, Pa facility. More back stabbing to come!