Pharmaceutical staff told they will be out of job (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Dozens of workers at Catalent told they will be redundant by the end of the year
8:00am Saturday 17th November 2012 in News By Matthew Edwards
Catalent, in Frankland Road, Blagrove Industrial Estate
EMPLOYEES at a pharmaceutical company have been dealt a massive blow just weeks before Christmas, as it was announced dozens of staff would lose their jobs.
More than 40 staff at Catalent have been told this week that they are to be without a job by the end of the year, along with several temporary staff.
It has been confirmed by the company, which employs 500 staff at its base in Frankland Road, Blagrove Industrial Estate, that the job losses come as a result of restructuring at the site.
A spokesman for the company said: “Due to changes in volume demand, Catalent is in the process of restructuring the Swindon facility.
“After implementing other measures, including the removal of temporary positions, Catalent has announced that it will be reducing its headcount by 45 permanent roles and has entered into consultation talks with employees through its Employee Forum regarding the need for restructuring at the facility.
“Catalent is committed to working with all impacted staff during this process and will make all necessary assistance is available to all employees.
“The Swindon site is a key part of the Catalent network dedicated to the development and supply of important medicines to patients globally.”
The site, which covers around 158,000 sq ft, is divided between the development and production of fast dissolving tablet technologies and chemistry, manufacturing and controls pharmaceutical analytical laboratories.
This is not the first time that the company has cut staff. In 2010, staff were told that 50 roles would be made redundant.
That came 10 months after workers at Catalent were told that 275 staff were to be laid off during the next two years.
In 2008, the company – which was known as Cardinal Health – announced that it would be introducing a new production line, creating 40 new jobs.
The company produces more than a billion tablets a year.
Comments(16)
Billy Jo
says...
9:03am Sat 17 Nov 12
While the timing is unfortunate surely "temporary" staff must know the job is not for life?
ICDeadpeople
says...
9:27am Sat 17 Nov 12
Billy Jo wrote:Billy Jo, you're wrong.
The majority of the 45 to lose their jobs are temporary staff. While the timing is unfortunate surely "temporary" staff must know the job is not for life?
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Please read the article again.
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The temp/flexi workers have all gone apart from five Hygiene personnel (clean the production facility).
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All of the other temp/flexi workers have been gone for approximately one month now.
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The majority of the redundancies are permanent employees. I'm one of those whose job is at risk.
ICDeadpeople
says...
9:34am Sat 17 Nov 12
ICDeadpeople wrote:Infact all of the redundancies are permanent employees.
Billy Jo wrote: The majority of the 45 to lose their jobs are temporary staff. While the timing is unfortunate surely "temporary" staff must know the job is not for life?Billy Jo, you're wrong. . Please read the article again. . The temp/flexi workers have all gone apart from five Hygiene personnel (clean the production facility). . All of the other temp/flexi workers have been gone for approximately one month now. . The majority of the redundancies are permanent employees. I'm one of those whose job is at risk.
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Temp/flexi workers are told through their employment agency that they are no longer required.
Davey Gravey
says...
1:14pm Sat 17 Nov 12
deadweight
says...
3:59pm Sat 17 Nov 12
I know of 1 area manager that walks about lines almost every hour and gets paid obscene amounts of money PA, compared to other workers doing the work, i say shave alot from the top and leave the workers that do the work, that make the profit for them well alone.
dglaholm
says...
7:39pm Sat 17 Nov 12
itsamess3
says...
8:08pm Sat 17 Nov 12
This is a very competitive market and if they do not get the contracts--jobs will be lost.
They will trim jobs at all levels just to survive--thats the nature of business.
M-Y-O-B
says...
9:22am Sun 18 Nov 12
The amount of managers in relation to the other staff has to be seen to be believed, if they were at least slightly qualified in the position it would be helpful but unfortunately a lot of the managers were former operators, temps and 'low key' line leaders. Anyone knows in manufacturing process knowledge is important as is progression,BUT when you see people with no qualifications other than creeping and being snide to fellow workers getting promoted then alarm bells should be ringing.
It's the timing with this place, whilst no time is a good time to have your job at risk, but before christmas...AGAIN???
Hopefully in January when the main man flys over after celebrating the festive season in the comfort of his luxury mansion the managers who are responsible for ruining this place will get their just rewards!!!! You know who you are......
Good luck to the people affected by this.
Bobby Wright
says...
10:42am Sun 18 Nov 12
dglaholm wrote:Well I suppose it beats kerb crawling and I expect the Devon girls would prefer that to the Beast of Bideford
I remember one manager who has now left surfing the web most of the night when he was on nights. Anyone who walked in the office would see the web page dissapear.
Empty Car Park
says...
10:09pm Sun 18 Nov 12
Trouble2012
says...
11:05am Mon 19 Nov 12
However when it comes to redundancies those people who add no value seem to be Teflon coated - an example would be like getting rid of a complete department of workers but yet keeping their manager? To manage what? This is happening...
You will not get anywhere in this place if you are good at your job or any good as manager. When the company was actually going places and they had a director that was leading us in the right direction, it was decided that they should get rid of the best director they ever had, now we (the workers) have to get used to redundancies every Christmas due to the failure of senior management and directors. Good luck to everyone affected by this.
Bobby Wright
says...
11:57am Mon 19 Nov 12
Empty Car Park wrote:I do use my real name but I think you're a case of Pot Kettle Black
Didn't want to boast about using your real name as a login for that remark then
Empty Car Park
says...
12:43pm Mon 19 Nov 12
I'm not pretending to be a known councillor
twasadawf
says...
12:56pm Mon 19 Nov 12
Jelly totd
says...
9:21pm Wed 21 Nov 12
ICDeadpeople says...
8:37am Sat 17 Nov 12
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Upside down pyramid? Managers to mange managers who manage more managers!
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Cost cutting by removing the lower paid workers instead of the 'nodding dog' higher wage earning/bonus awarded brigade.
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Catalent is either going to be sold by their corporate owners 'Blackstone' or shut down completely within 2-3 years.
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The management would be better employed as extras for a PG Tips advertisement!