Former Novo and Sanofi staff describe mixed layoff experiences, citing severance benefits and poor communication

Three former employees of large pharmaceutical companies, including Novo and Sanofi, spoke to BioSpace about how they were let go. Their accounts form part of a broader survey that collects layoff stories from the industry.

The interviewees said they appreciated certain aspects of the process, such as the severance packages and outplacement resources that were offered to help them transition to new roles.

However, they also criticized a lack of public transparency, a mishandled notification process, and confusing outsourcing decisions that left many feeling uncertain about the rationale behind the cuts.

One principal scientist, who asked to remain anonymous, described being informed of his termination in March during a structural reorganization. The company was expanding into newer modalities and closed two departments, consolidating operations into a single site, which led to his position being eliminated.

The way big‑pharma firms handle layoffs is seen as important by employees and investors alike, prompting ongoing interviews and surveys to understand the impact of these workforce reductions.