I can tolerate some misinformation. It this rumor is too pathetic! Absolutely no truth to it. Period!
Love the title of your thread! I agree with you. If "551" wasn't offered before, why would it be offered now? The trend has been to give less and less to severed employees.
551 would be offered now because it's called "cutting losses"; right now merck pays high salaries with very little ROI.
Don't forget we must have a boat load of reps running around not seeing anyone but anxious to try the new iPad detailing on anyone... Who can justify so many reps with so little being done regarding sales?
Spot on, they don't have to bribe the older folks to go. Riad simply gets out his butcher knives and makes cuts. No need for any 551 BS, he will just cut. Now, I could see VP's and above being offered this but Directors and below? Never.