Laid off from Merck? Start here.
Merck layoffs. The figures below come from the linked public sources.
Get started freeFacts on this page come from the public record, with a source next to each one. Last checked October 15, 2026. Offboard has no relationship with Merck.- Announced
- September 1, 2026
- Site on record
- Rahway, New Jersey
- Severance terms
- Not public
What Merck did.
Merck's dates and figures come from the public record, newest first, each with its source.
- Merck · Announces the layoffs
- Layoff timingin December 2026 and January 2027
The positions will be cut in two phases.
Source: Fierce Pharma, September 9, 2026 · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026 - New Jersey WARN filing54 | September 2026
Workers and the month the notice was posted, from the New Jersey Department of Labor's WARN notice archive.
Source: New Jersey Department of Labor (WARN notice archive) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026 - Layoff phasesDec. 11, 2026, and Jan. 4, 2027
The layoffs were scheduled to take effect in two phases.
Source: NJ.com, September 8, 2026 · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- Layoff timingin December 2026 and January 2027
Earlier at Merck
- Merck · Merck layoffs
- North Carolina WARN filing147 | 2026-02-24
Workers and notice date from the state's WARN listing, as republished by LaborCurrent.
Source: LaborCurrent (state WARN listings) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026 - North Carolina WARN filing7 | 2026-02-24
Workers and notice date from the state's WARN listing, as republished by LaborCurrent.
Source: LaborCurrent (state WARN listings) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026 - People affectedabout 150 employeesSource: Reuters, February 27, 2026 · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- Employees laid off154 workersSource: Business North Carolina, February 27, 2026 · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- North Carolina WARN filing147 | 2026-02-24
- Merck · Merck layoffs
- New Jersey WARN filing204 | November 2025
Workers and the month the notice was posted, from the New Jersey Department of Labor's WARN notice archive.
Source: New Jersey Department of Labor (WARN notice archive) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- New Jersey WARN filing204 | November 2025
- Merck · Merck layoffs
- New Jersey WARN filing58 | August 2025
Workers and the month the notice was posted, from the New Jersey Department of Labor's WARN notice archive.
Source: New Jersey Department of Labor (WARN notice archive) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026 - Layoffs effectiveNovember 14
The New Jersey notice says the layoffs become effective on this date.
Source: WFMZ, August 12, 2025 · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- New Jersey WARN filing58 | August 2025
- Merck · Merck Pennsylvania plant closure
- Pennsylvania WARN filing163 | March 2025
Workers and notice date from the state's WARN listing, as republished by LaborCurrent.
Source: LaborCurrent (state WARN listings) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
- Pennsylvania WARN filing163 | March 2025
- Merck · Merck layoffs
- Massachusetts WARN filing170 | 2022-03-16
Workers and notice date from the state's WARN listing, as republished by LaborCurrent.
Source: LaborCurrent (state WARN listings) · matched to the source automatically October 15, 2026
- Massachusetts WARN filing170 | 2022-03-16
- Merck · LeadershipMerck names new CEO
- New CEOwill be succeeded as CEO by the company's chief financial officer
Robert M. Davis was named as Frazier's successor in the article.
Source: USA TODAY, February 4, 2021 · matched to the source automatically October 15, 2026
- New CEOwill be succeeded as CEO by the company's chief financial officer
This page is compiled from the public sources linked beside each figure. Check the source before you rely on a figure.Report an error
Four things to do first.
The first steps of Offboard's Layoff Plan, with what the public record says about Merck.
Layoff Plan
New JerseyProtect the first week · 4 steps- The first week
Write down your key dates
Your last day, your final pay date, and when your health coverage ends.
For Merck- Announced
- September 1, 2026
- The first week
File for unemployment benefits
Benefits usually start from the week you file, so file soon.
Where you file depends on where you workedRemote, or at another siteFind your state's unemployment officeUSA.gov: “In most cases, you should file for unemployment in the state where you worked instead of in the state where you live.” Source: USA.gov, Unemployment benefits · checked September 28, 2026 - Before you sign
Review your severance agreement
Read it before you sign it. Your own agreement is the only one that applies to you.
For MerckSeverance not publicNo public source states Merck's severance terms for this round.
- Before coverage ends
Understand your COBRA / health insurance options
You have a limited time to choose, and COBRA is only one option.
Then the plan keeps going, through six more stages.
- Steady yourself
- Choose what's next
- Get ready
- Run the search
- Close it
- Wrap it up
About Merck
merck.com“We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.”
- Headquarters
- Rahway, New JerseySource: Merck & Co. 10-K for 2025 (SEC) · checked October 15, 2026
- Ownership
- Public, NYSE: MRKSource: Merck & Co. 10-K for 2025 (SEC) · checked October 15, 2026
- Employees
- About 75,000 (December 31, 2025)Source: Merck & Co. 10-K for 2025 (SEC) · checked October 15, 2026
- Site on record
- Rahway, New JerseyFrom the public record on this page
What people ask about Merck.
Is Merck giving severance?
No public source states Merck's severance terms for this round, so this page does not guess at them. Your own agreement is the only one that applies to you.
Did Merck file a WARN notice?
The public record shows a filing. New Jersey WARN filing: 54 | September 2026. Source: New Jersey Department of Labor (WARN notice archive) · matched to the source automatically October 9, 2026
I worked remotely for Merck. Where do I file for unemployment?
USA.gov: “In most cases, you should file for unemployment in the state where you worked instead of in the state where you live. If you worked outside the state where you currently live or worked remotely, contact your home state’s unemployment office to get help with filing a claim in a different state.” Source: USA.gov, Unemployment benefits · checked September 28, 2026
Find your state's unemployment office (CareerOneStop, sponsored by the US Department of Labor). Offboard never sits between you and the agency.
Is Offboard part of Merck or the government?
No. Offboard is independent of Merck and is not affiliated with it. Offboard is independent, not a government agency, and claiming your benefits is always free.
Offboard helps people organize their transition and reach official sources. Government agencies and program providers make eligibility, benefit, and approval decisions. Offboard does not replace qualified legal, tax, financial, healthcare, or benefits guidance. We never promise funding. We show you the exact path to find out.
What does Offboard do after a layoff?
Tell Offboard what happened and get a plan that covers the money, the benefits, and the search, in the order they actually matter. Getting started is free.
Work in People at Merck?
Give the people leaving a real starting point. Sponsoring their transition is self-serve and priced per person, and each person's job-search activity stays private.
See how sponsorship works
- 01Upload a roster
- 02Invites go out the same day
- 03You see aggregate engagement only
Start with what changed.
Tell Offboard what happened and get a plan that covers the money, the benefits, and the search, in the order they actually matter.
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