EMD Serono has handed a tough ultimatum to a group of research employees tied to its Billerica research campus: move closer to the lab, start commuting into the office several days a week, or walk away with severance. Internal notices and state filings indicate the policy affects roughly 70 roles and could lead to job separations in early September, drawing a sharp line between the suburban R&D hub and the company’s Boston presence.
What the policy requires
According to Fierce Biotech, a company spokesperson said EMD Serono will now require R&D staff associated with the Billerica site to be on-site at least three days per week, including employees who were originally hired as fully remote. The spokesperson told the outlet the shift is intended "to ensure a collaborative environment that fosters scientific discovery and development." The report also notes that employees who live more than 50 miles away were offered relocation support and that a state notice lists Sept. 4 as a possible effective date for separations.
Who’s affected
As reported by the Boston Business Journal, about 70 positions are currently in the crosshairs, spanning roles from biostatistics to clinical-research leadership. The outlet notes that the return-to-office order is aimed specifically at employees tied to the Billerica research operation and does not extend to staff based at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Boston’s Seaport district. Corporate teams in the Seaport, in other words, are not covered by this particular mandate.
Billerica's role in EMD Serono's operations
On its own website, EMD Serono describes the Billerica Research & Development Institute as its U.S. research campus, underscoring the lab-focused work that happens there. Separately, the company maintains its U.S. headquarters in Boston’s Seaport, a location that company materials and local coverage have framed as a magnet for talent. Tightened in-person requirements at a research site like Billerica can quickly put pressure on scientists and data specialists who were brought on with remote arrangements.
Why it matters locally
The company’s decision to concentrate key corporate roles in Boston’s Seaport drew significant attention when it was announced and remains part of its recruiting pitch, according to The Boston Globe. For researchers and technical staff living beyond an easy commute of Billerica, the new policy turns into a very real calculation about uprooting their lives, absorbing a pricey and time-consuming commute, or taking the severance and moving on.
Legal and labor notice
A notice filed with the state and reported by Fierce Biotech indicates that separations could start as soon as Sept. 4 and that workers who turn down relocation support will be eligible for severance. The filing was made under Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification rules, which require advance notice to the state when employers plan mass layoffs or site closures.
