Takeda is about to acquire an unhappy Shire workforce

by Joshua Fruhlinger
https://media.thinknum.com/articles/heres-what-takeda-is-getting-when-it-comes-to-shire/

One thing analysts have not talked about in regards to this deal, however, is the health of Shire itself. Sure, the product portfolio looks good on paper, but what's happening internally at the company? Are we destined for a culture clash when (and if) this deal gets approved?

Is Shire, itself, ill?

The data says it may be.

Hiring Activity at Both Companies Has Dropped
Shire hiring activity has slowed over the past month. That said, so has hiring at Takeda. This is likely a move to reduce ongoing costs as the acquisition takes place while at the same time looking favorable for auditors. That said, a drop in hiring means a possible loss of talent leading into a period when the company will need it most as Shire employees meet their new bosses.

How Shire Employees are Feeling
We track Glassdoor rankings, aggregate them, and watch them move over time in order to see any changes in how employees are feeling about their companies. In the case of Shire, employee reviews of the company have been on a steady decline across the board - overall rating, CEO rating, and Business Outlook rating.

Looking at the mix of ratings over time is often more telling. Since last summer, 1-star (out of 5) ratings of the company by employees have been on a steady rise while 5-star ratings have plateaud. This is a sign that those who have come to Glassdoor to vent about their experiences with the company have been unhappy employees, at least for the past year.

Shire CEO (and ex-Bayer star) Flemming Ørnskov saw a 52% approval rating in July, 2017. While that's not exactly spectacular, over the past year employees have come to Glassdoor to express their dislike of the CEO, with overall ratings hiting a low of 26% in January, 2018 and settling this week at just 29%.

When it comes to how employees feel the comapny will fare in the future, they're equally unhappy. Beginning last summer, outlook ratings took a steep dive from 41% to 23% in just three months. As of today, business outlook ratings by Shire employees remains at a dull 27%.

Sour Grapes?
All of this could just be pre-acquisition cold feed by empoyees who see inevitable post-merger redundancy measures as possible ends to their careers with the comapny. Even if that's the case, Takeda appears that it's about to have some company culture issues on its hands

 

Unhappy is an understatement... we are sick and tired of these clueless leaders lining their pockets while they destroyed this company... all of them are clueless. Those Glassdoor ratings don't even reflect the hundreds of us who have never reviewed there like myself

 

Pissed more than unhappy

 

Who cares???? If you don’t like it, don’t let the door hit you in your ASS!!! LEAVE!!!

 

Fuck your happiness!!!! Are you 12?

 

We will loaf and do little as possible. Will work 3 hour days from here on.

 

Hate this place and im getting even faking calls and running the company cars transmission into the ground

 

Good, since we need to trim 3700 people, you be the first to go.

 

And you seem very mature. Get a life

 

Stop stealing a paycheck. Nobody owes you anything or cares about your happiness. Just leave! 1000 reps are lined up to replace you!!!

 

Some Shire reps are like clouds, when they disappear the day is brighter! Get lost, snowflake!

 

Takeda is just as bad if not worse and for far less pay

 

So you're saying you shouldn't be happy in your job? What are you a fucking auto assembly line worker? Sorry sychophant, I educated myself and did well in my career, not to take it up the ass by leaders and a company that doesn't value my contribution. You belong with these losers!

 

Are you crazy? You obviously aren’t in sales. Most of this place is toxic... recruiters tell only bottom of the barrel reps about NBU positions. If you don’t think the decline in sales force effectiveness is due to low morale and leadership, you should just stay in your cubicle

 

A lot of truth in this article. We seem to be retaining a lot of complacent employees and meanwhile losing good talent. Dropping like flies lately.

 

Yu so velly solly soon. Hai ! We have March for yu learn takada-ism. Company song and exersize so velly impourtant. All shire people come to Baatan for exercize an training. Yu March good yu stay. Yu fall or stop - bayonet fur yu! No speaky inglich. Bow to your masters !

 

Your mom doesn't even like you

 

Just don't yell Godzilla at a NSM. It'll be a stamped.

 

Stampede

 

NOT FUNNY! Culturally biased!!