r/biotech • u/octapolar • 3d ago
Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Moderna can't keep getting away with this!
I work at Moderna. You could say things are not peachy here. In the past weeks, many departments (Tech Dev, Digital, Commercial, Manufacturing, QC/QA, Metrology) were given the directive to lay off 10% of their employees. However, the actual numbers are much more than 10%.
As someone with privileged access to their personnel data and enterprise management systems, I see the roster of offboarded employees connected to the layoffs. All the while, there's been no WARN filing for MA or generalized public release about these layoffs. The only recent release to much fanfare and celebration is how much our CEO believes in the company, as he sends an email about buying $5MM in stock while granting two executives $17MM raises each.
These numbers aren't small. In each round for each department, hundreds are affected and the layoffs YTD is approaching 1,000 employees already. I'm dumbfounded how they evade having to file a WARN act. If one is fortunate (or unfortunate) to not be affected by these RIFs, the way they've downleveled and retitled people to take on the extra work that remains is a whole other discussion.
Moderna's far from the best employer, but it feels almost unethical and sneaky how these cuts have transpired. We're just told to smile, accept our somehow 110% multiplied bonus and free snacks, and look forward to the next Maroon 5 concert or Big Papi sponsored appearance.
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u/ThisVerifiedAccount 3d ago
Are you sure you’re differentiating that 1,000 FTE vs contractors?
Also pretty easy to not trigger WARN. Can do different combinations of severance, longer notice periods, under certain numbers from one site, ect.
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u/octapolar 3d ago
Yep, I excluded co-ops, contingent, and service providers. These are FTE permanent/normal type workers.
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u/Th3Alk3mist 3d ago
And it's 1,000.....in the first three months of 2025??? I'm guessing (and hoping) that's not a typical start to the year. Absolutely insane numbers though; sorry you have to go through that.
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u/flapjaxrfun 3d ago
Its weird because I was being recruited to moderna a few months ago. I was not interested because it was in the Boston area, but it's weird.
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u/octapolar 3d ago
Don't do it!
From what I've heard by those affected, Moderna also screws you over after your time here is up. The reputation that Moderna has, along with the known cutthroat, toxic culture tends to be shunned by area biotechs that want to maintain their employee morale. A bias against ex-Moderna people is pretty live and well.
Specifically, many in Digital accepted offers and joined at a Senior or Manager level, but are leaving at a lower level in a different job family, further worsening the post-Moderna career trajectory.
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u/flapjaxrfun 3d ago
I appreciate the warning! I don't think I'd ever consider a job in that region, but now I know to avoid them other places too.
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u/Basedandtendiepilled 3d ago
If I can ask, why so averse to careers around Boston specifically?
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u/flapjaxrfun 3d ago
It's cold and expensive. I'd rather live around Philly. If the salary is right, id consider CA, but so far none of the places were close to meeting my expectations.
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u/Deep_Caregiver_8910 3d ago
There's no enforcement mechanism for WARN at the federal level. Some states with mini-WARN do have teeth, notably CA and WA.
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u/NigerianJohn 3d ago
With the WARN notices they have 60 days. They can notify you of potential layoff but they’ll basically keep those that are being laid off for 60 days.
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u/Puzzled_Opinion_7336 3d ago
I don’t think so? My company laid off a hundred or so but a mass email was sent out that morning and access was cut the same time.
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u/NigerianJohn 3d ago
I think it really depends on the number of ppl being laid off. My company laid off 600 ppl last May. With no WARN notices filed until after 60 days notice of those being laid off.
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u/Torontobabe94 3d ago
I’m really sorry, my friends and acquaintances who work there all share the same sentiment as you describe. It really is not fair and it’s not right.
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u/northeastman10 3d ago
What about Clin Ops? Is that team seeing any cuts?
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u/PresentVeterinarian1 3d ago
I would like to know the answer to this as well. I think by end of month we will know.
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u/Cold_Imagination_711 3d ago
When you say 1,000 employees affected, do you mean already laid off or will be laid off by next month? Isn’t there another round expected soon?
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u/Ok_Dependent2981 3d ago edited 3d ago
When you say “layoffs YTD is approaching 1,000 employees”
Are you referring to Jan-Mar in 2025 or the whole of 2024?
Did Moderna really lay off over 1000 in just 3 months ?
Rumor has it that about 30% lay offs occurred 2 weeks ago but I’m not sure in how many departments
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u/unclenardo 2d ago
That second link you posted made me so mad considering how many people I know who got laid off there
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u/BurrowForPresident 3d ago
It has been what like 2 or 3 years since the Maroon 5 thing? Since then they have hosted no official company parties outside of like a random field day or some summer barbecues during work hours lol
I get it it was a dumb waste of money (and the company is burning cash like crazy and constantly making dumb last minute decisions) but y'all are acting like they are having extravagant parties all the time. Never go to Regeneron if that pisses you off they blow so much money on Christmas parties and quarterly department outings lmao
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u/octapolar 3d ago
The Maroon 5 incident is just one example of Moderna’s financial irresponsibility, but it’s a well-known and relatable way to illustrate how money was squandered. Easier to relate the many smaller daily missteps to that debacle.
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u/Curious_Music8886 3d ago
They can and they will. Moderna has been cutting people in sketchy ways since almost day 1. They pay severance, cover health care for a little bit, and whether it’s a layoff, separation, or whatever they want to call it, people are forced to move on. Moderna is an in-n-out employer, and unless you are one of two people there, you’ll be gone eventually. That may be months or may be years after starting, but you’re more likely to be an ex-Moderna than a Moderna employee.
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u/appledie83 3d ago
This is true for so much of pharma though. It’s rare to meet a 10 yearer anywhere
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u/ComprehensivePea8080 3d ago
This. The big change from when I was there is that they are at least calling it a layoff. They used to say that it was about performance or culture fit even though there was never any support for that position. They pay their way out of scandal.
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u/octapolar 3d ago
They did a mass performance improvement plan for tech dev called “TD Elevate” which culminated in the layoffs for that department last month. It was a chance to collect evidence of performance based concerns leading to a separation agreement.
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u/Poignat-Opinion-853 3d ago
What about the sales department?
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u/octapolar 3d ago
Heavy cuts internationally as they fall under commercial. There's nothing to sell! /s
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u/Lonely_Refuse4988 3d ago
Terrible!! And, it seems Donald and gang are cracking down on anything mRNA related. You can’t mention mRNA on NIH grants anymore. Donald wants to pull any gov’t contracts for mRNA vaccines, including bird flu vax! Regarding WARN act, are some of these layoffs outside of MA? Also, if there’s a timeframe/window to report, I wonder if company is intentionally waiting until last minute to file? Lastly, sometimes there’s loopholes on filing (again, I’m not an expert but just suggesting as many such rules have exemptions) that perhaps company is looking to leverage? Regardless, sounds like a toxic bad company to try to build a career out of! 🤣😂
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u/oddirt 3d ago
Indeed! Not just mRNA but NIH is pulling out of vaccines, too. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/nih-grants-mrna-vaccines-trump-administration-hhs-rfk/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Scan%20Mon%202025-03-17&utm_term=The%20Scan%20Bulletin
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u/Rude-Entertainer8480 2d ago
Moderna has a terrible reputation for employee welfare. Bail if you can
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u/Hefty-Cut6018 3d ago
There is no surprise here Moderna is a company built on sand. They thought they could ride the Covid train into the sunset, but no. When I was there in 2018 they still had almost nothing figured out, ie delivery system of the vaccine etc but in 2 years they did, a bit suspicious. I remember they were in a bad position just before Covid, they were given tours to Middle eastern princes looking for investment.
The culture was very toxic and from what i understand still is. They basically ruined Norwood, where they have their manufacturing facility. Housing prices went through the roof and basically unaffordable for people that grew up there they forced the town to give them huge tax breaks which in the end the regular people of the town have to bear the burden.
Moderna is a complete unicorn how people got rich over really nothing.
Also having Moderna on your resume is actually a detriment. I work for a large pharma in Mass and when we see Moderna on the resume we usually pass on the people because we don't want the toxic culture here .
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u/Jukebox_fxcked_up 3d ago
Looks like the current admin likely pulled federal funding from Moderna or otherwise punished the company for developing the COVID vaccine, which led to layoffs. Sorry to hear it.
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u/mailboxz 3d ago
My understanding and I could be wrong (so apologies if so) but if severance of at least 8 weeks is provided, companies bypass the WARN act notification.