Over 50; retained or let go

Just curious; how many reps over 50, over 55, over 60 were retained or let go.
I'll start; I'm 60 and was let go.

Will be 51 shortly-Let GO!

I was retained and feel extremely fortunate given the rocky employment landscape.

Let's just say I am over 18 and I'm not about to rock the boat over age issues. I am a hustler, hunter and aggressively go after the business in a diplomatic fashion with my providers.

In my case, Pfizer has given me an opportunity for continuity of employment and I am going to work my ass off to reinforce their decision to retain me. I am sorry to hear that you were displaced and wish you the best of luck in securing another career option.

Ironically, I've had two unsolicited calls from recruiters today about pharma sales jobs elsewhere and they were not contract positions. There are some positions out there. Hit all the major job boards and subscribe to medreps.com. Post your resume on these boards as not all positions are posted and some recruiters may be looking for a few reps per area with tenure and specific skill sets.

You still have 5 days to post for unfilled vacancies on the Pfizer website. Best wishes to you.

PP:
John B, I would recognize your enthusiasm anywhere.
Glad you were retained.

I am a over 50 person, who was NOT retained...but happy to be gone.

56 Gone

56 let go my position was posted on Pfizer web site i got 2 4s and was having a good year this is a disgrace after 21 years- i am calling HR
Also i know a 57 let go a 58 let go and a 60 retained

24 years with Wyeth, 50 years old. let go. In talking with many friends from around the company it seems to be hard to find a rule of 70 person who worked in Psyc. PC or OSM who was retained. If you had over 30 years and had maxed out on pension, you are out working today and will not have a chance at a nice fat check.

52 women let go. Yes lets get the bastards

Originally Posted by Anonymous

56 let go my position was posted on Pfizer web site i got 2 4s and was having a good year this is a disgrace after 21 years- i am calling HR
Also i know a 57 let go a 58 let go and a 60 retained

Don't bother with HR. Go straight to EEOC if you really have a case. If you go to HR you have simply played into their hands and offered up to Pfe legal your entire case so they can shoot it down. PFE HR will stoop to any length to destroy you and often uses the temptation of a good severance to buy silence.

54 let go

I am 59 and wanted a package very badly but was retained.

51, from Pfizer side, gone.

Great question. I was let go March 08 after winning my second PRA as a DM. Very high salary and glad I left. I would have worked the last year for free as my severance would have been greatly reduced.
don't ever go to HR. The PP was correct - they work for Pfizer. And don't waste your time you will never prove it. Move on as I did and find a job. Believe it or not it is fun once you move outside of pharma

60 in pa, kept, not thrilled

51 - gone. Need more years, begrudgingly looking at postings. Don't beat me up. Everyone has to do what he has to do.

50 and gone

61-retained!!

i was downsized several years ago in operation springboard. at the time i was barely mid-40s and it was difficult finding a job then. But lately, i've heard horror stories from friends in their early 50s trying to find jobs. and not necessarily in pharma.

The fact is, it's assumed you made too much (you did) and they can't afford you (they can't) and if its a job seemingly beneath you (it likely will be) they think you'll bail the minute the economy improves (you might) and something else opens up (it won't).

Sadly, its often - but not always! - a lose-lose scenario. so I hope you're all thinking outside the proverbial box and looking at other skills you likely possess. And if you really think you have a viable issue with uncle, definitely pursue it together. Best to all.

Outsider here, if you were 60 or a few months away from 60 you were retained because you are going to retire soon. They are saving money by keeping you for a couple years, till you retire. Some folks got the severence package and no job, but the 60year olds got the package and have to keep working.

Please. Pfizer did things the way they did precisely because of sentiments like these. They used a parameter that no one could possibly cry "discrimination" over. The only thing that really mattered was geography. End of story. Tenure was the closest thing that could be related to age and it was dead last and in favor of the rep who would most likely be senior. This was one step away from pulling names out of a hat. What a society of "victims" we have become.

51 - retained

I am 55 a HAM, thank god this year, and let go. My friend is 60, wanted a package and was kept. Go figure

60 plus, male, PC, retained and amazed that I was. I have better than a decade with the company, a high base salary and meet the Rule of 70.

The only explanation is that they did exactly what they said they would do and start with overlap, (need), geography, performance, etc. to make the determination of who was retained.

Different types of reps, Regional vs. Strike force for instance have very different territories, different products to promote, with different geographical centers within a district. Unless you sit down and work through all the criteria and all the reps it doesn't seem logical in some cases.

All this nonsense about the two companies lying about the process is ridiculous. I didn't like being kept in the dark, but I wasn't lied to. There is a difference between the two.

The last thing Pfizer or any other big employer wants is to do something that generates a bunch of EEOC lawsuits. You can bet that as this program was being designed there were lawyers, HR people and consultants crawling all over it. My guess is that while it looks a little sloppy now, that is based on many first line managers just not having all the facts yet.

That is a far cry from providing an EEOC case that is winnable.

My friend the labor attorney has looked at everything so far and doesn't see anything he would be willing to go to war over. We'll see.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am 55 a HAM, thank god this year, and let go. My friend is 60, wanted a package and was kept. Go figure

So it all seems pretty even.

Face it....no one was fired cause of age, gender or race.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

60 plus, male, PC, retained and amazed that I was. I have better than a decade with the company, a high base salary and meet the Rule of 70.

The only explanation is that they did exactly what they said they would do and start with overlap, (need), geography, performance, etc. to make the determination of who was retained.

Different types of reps, Regional vs. Strike force for instance have very different territories, different products to promote, with different geographical centers within a district. Unless you sit down and work through all the criteria and all the reps it doesn't seem logical in some cases.

All this nonsense about the two companies lying about the process is ridiculous. I didn't like being kept in the dark, but I wasn't lied to. There is a difference between the two.

The last thing Pfizer or any other big employer wants is to do something that generates a bunch of EEOC lawsuits. You can bet that as this program was being designed there were lawyers, HR people and consultants crawling all over it. My guess is that while it looks a little sloppy now, that is based on many first line managers just not having all the facts yet.

That is a far cry from providing an EEOC case that is winnable.

My friend the labor attorney has looked at everything so far and doesn't see anything he would be willing to go to war over. We'll see.

seems like a smart person

So tell me why 10 people were let go on Tuesday ( 6 of them over 50/Rule of 70) probably six figure plus salaries. and then the next day you have posts for 4 positions in those geographies? $$$$ boys and girls. Don't let the snake oil from the Biz Rules fool you.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

So tell me why 10 people were let go on Tuesday ( 6 of them over 50/Rule of 70) probably six figure plus salaries. and then the next day you have posts for 4 positions in those geographies? $$$$ boys and girls. Don't let the snake oil from the Biz Rules fool you.

If that were the most important severance criteria they wouldn't have retained all Pfizer reps.....seriously, stop with the conspiracy theories.

If those 10 people can't get satisfactory answers as to why they were let go or they feel discriminated against, then they should get legal advice and do whatever they need to do.

Throwing out the limited information you have doesn't mean a damn thing as it may add some facts, but not enough to draw any conclusions on one way or the other.

Seems to me 50-58s were let go/ near 60 and above kept because they figured you were going to retire in a few years so why give you severance .Typical Pfizer move

50 years old, 24 years with wyeth, rule of 70, let go and glad, nice chunk added to my pension, severance paid for over a year. Yippee!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

So tell me why 10 people were let go on Tuesday ( 6 of them over 50/Rule of 70) probably six figure plus salaries. and then the next day you have posts for 4 positions in those geographies? $$$$ boys and girls. Don't let the snake oil from the Biz Rules fool you.

Good lord will you Hippies give it up? They weren't saying "paul is dead" on that Beatles album. JFK wasn't shot from the grassy knoll. Pfizer didn't give two shits about how old you were or how much you make when they cut you.

Trust me. You have no recourse. The number #1 rule was geography which is an position that does not take age or race into consideration. You put down the zip code and if there is an opening in that zip then you drill down to evals. 99% fit the geography though.

63 and retained!

73 years old, 6.56478 years with the company, Armenian, midget, left handed, blind in one eye and can't see much out of the other.
Retained as kindler's company pilot.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Seems to me 50-58s were let go/ near 60 and above kept because they figured you were going to retire in a few years so why give you severance .Typical Pfizer move

Man, it's so funny to listen to people say that Pfizer (or any company) laid people off based on their age. The f*cking slides were pretty simple to read. It was based on doc overlap in vacant territories and how close you lived to the territory if there was a tie.

No one wants to get laid off and its sad when it happens, but the conspiracy theory whining is just poor form.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

73 years old, 6.56478 years with the company, Armenian, midget, left handed, blind in one eye and can't see much out of the other.
Retained as kindler's company pilot.

55 years old, female, minority, and handicapped - they got 4 employees for the price of one with me

African-American lesbian transgendered female, 45. They got 3 1/2 for the price of one.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Man, it's so funny to listen to people say that Pfizer (or any company) laid people off based on their age. The f*cking slides were pretty simple to read. It was based on doc overlap in vacant territories and how close you lived to the territory if there was a tie.

No one wants to get laid off and its sad when it happens, but the conspiracy theory whining is just poor form.

BS i will tell you Pfizer is like the government and makes things so complicated like health care reform they hope nobody understands or reads them- But i feel i am on to something with the early to mid 50s being let go i made good investments so i dont need their severance and i am taking them to court- I always said i am lucky enough to have money and time is on my side and i will stand up for my principles f Pfizer- You will know who i am shortly. Geography is bullshit - if i live 10 miles from my territory got a 4 and 5 last 2 yrs-The Pfizer rep was let go too and they have a territory posted near by what overlap -at least in court they will have to prove how they did it

Originally Posted by Anonymous

BS i will tell you Pfizer is like the government and makes things so complicated like health care reform they hope nobody understands or reads them- But i feel i am on to something with the early to mid 50s being let go i made good investments so i dont need their severance and i am taking them to court- I always said i am lucky enough to have money and time is on my side and i will stand up for my principles f Pfizer- You will know who i am shortly. Geography is bullshit - if i live 10 miles from my territory got a 4 and 5 last 2 yrs-The Pfizer rep was let go too and they have a territory posted near by what overlap -at least in court they will have to prove how they did it

You are a sad person. If you really had any money, which I doubt, you would go on about your life instead of being so bitter. Why would you waste all your money on a lawyer. Better you should spend it on a therapist.

Remember what Shakespeare said we should do with lawyers. Let's just start on the upper coast.

I am 68 and ... and .... and ... What was the question again?

65 and retained. I'll show them, I'll just keep working until they pay me to go away!.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Just curious; how many reps over 50, over 55, over 60 were retained or let go.
I'll start; I'm 60 and was let go.

If you think you are going to be retained and are over 40, just wait a couple of weeks, you will be gone, history...comprende?? We will be keeping cheap green cards under 40...they don't give us lip and are grateful!! LMFAO

-your Pfizer friends

Originally Posted by Anonymous

You are a sad person. If you really had any money, which I doubt, you would go on about your life instead of being so bitter. Why would you waste all your money on a lawyer. Better you should spend it on a therapist.

Absolutely am i not bitter that is what makes this so great- i ONLY WANT TO STAND UP FOR MY PRINCIPLES- in fact i have a wonderful family and they always understood my passion for justice- something BERNARD KINDLER AND THE US GOVERNMENT DOES NOT- in fact i am taking the wife to Italy next week love my time off and an looking forward to fighting PFIZER in court
Maybe nobody else has the money or time to do this but i always have been a rebel and this is what i live for THE TIME HAS COME TODAY

Originally Posted by Anonymous

If you think you are going to be retained and are over 40, just wait a couple of weeks, you will be gone, history...comprende?? We will be keeping cheap green cards under 40...they don't give us lip and are grateful!! LMFAO

-your Pfizer friends

Oh I hope so but seriously doubt it. I've begged for a package.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Please. Pfizer did things the way they did precisely because of sentiments like these. They used a parameter that no one could possibly cry "discrimination" over. The only thing that really mattered was geography. End of story. Tenure was the closest thing that could be related to age and it was dead last and in favor of the rep who would most likely be senior. This was one step away from pulling names out of a hat. What a society of "victims" we have become.

Don't bet your last dollar on that Sparky. You don't have a clue what companies do internally to save money, save on pension dispersement, or save on healthcare. It is a very naive person by today's standards and all the corporate corruption that exists and outed to believe that companies do not manipulate the paramaters. Simply put, if it is not fully disclosed "as was with this layoff", then it is done for a reason. Anyone believes any differently, has not experienced these types of difficult scenarios within their own life. There were alot of placements in my area that simply did not follow the so-called parameters that were even listed.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am 55 a HAM, thank god this year, and let go. My friend is 60, wanted a package and was kept. Go figure

There is a reason why a company would want to keep someone who is 60 or older instead of displacing them. It is about $$$$$.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Absolutely am i not bitter that is what makes this so great- i ONLY WANT TO STAND UP FOR MY PRINCIPLES- in fact i have a wonderful family and they always understood my passion for justice- something BERNARD KINDLER AND THE US GOVERNMENT DOES NOT- in fact i am taking the wife to Italy next week love my time off and an looking forward to fighting PFIZER in court
Maybe nobody else has the money or time to do this but i always have been a rebel and this is what i live for THE TIME HAS COME TODAY

What a dipstick!
Somebody please revoke his passport and block his return to the U.S. after his "trip to Italy".

Originally Posted by Anonymous

60 plus, male, PC, retained and amazed that I was. I have better than a decade with the company, a high base salary and meet the Rule of 70.

The only explanation is that they did exactly what they said they would do and start with overlap, (need), geography, performance, etc. to make the determination of who was retained.

Different types of reps, Regional vs. Strike force for instance have very different territories, different products to promote, with different geographical centers within a district. Unless you sit down and work through all the criteria and all the reps it doesn't seem logical in some cases.

All this nonsense about the two companies lying about the process is ridiculous. I didn't like being kept in the dark, but I wasn't lied to. There is a difference between the two.

The last thing Pfizer or any other big employer wants is to do something that generates a bunch of EEOC lawsuits. You can bet that as this program was being designed there were lawyers, HR people and consultants crawling all over it. My guess is that while it looks a little sloppy now, that is based on many first line managers just not having all the facts yet.

That is a far cry from providing an EEOC case that is winnable.

My friend the labor attorney has looked at everything so far and doesn't see anything he would be willing to go to war over. We'll see.

Don't know about you, but I could not figure out what some of their parameters really meant. If it is not fully disclosed, then you are lied to, and I for one feel that I was lied to by "ommission" or not fully disclosure. And I was retained.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

60 plus, male, PC, retained and amazed that I was. I have better than a decade with the company, a high base salary and meet the Rule of 70.

The only explanation is that they did exactly what they said they would do and start with overlap, (need), geography, performance, etc. to make the determination of who was retained.

Different types of reps, Regional vs. Strike force for instance have very different territories, different products to promote, with different geographical centers within a district. Unless you sit down and work through all the criteria and all the reps it doesn't seem logical in some cases.

All this nonsense about the two companies lying about the process is ridiculous. I didn't like being kept in the dark, but I wasn't lied to. There is a difference between the two.

The last thing Pfizer or any other big employer wants is to do something that generates a bunch of EEOC lawsuits. You can bet that as this program was being designed there were lawyers, HR people and consultants crawling all over it. My guess is that while it looks a little sloppy now, that is based on many first line managers just not having all the facts yet.

That is a far cry from providing an EEOC case that is winnable.

My friend the labor attorney has looked at everything so far and doesn't see anything he would be willing to go to war over. We'll see.

If the last thing that a big employer wants is to do something that generates a bunch of EEOC lawsuits, then why did AT&T (a rather large, well known corporation) you may have heard of get sued by the EEOC for discrimination. I was just in the news/paper one or two months ago. Bottom line, companies do all sorts of illegal things simply because they think they can get away with it.