Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar told Danish media this week that staff must work harder and at a faster pace. Two unions representing Novo employees have criticized the remarks.
Doustdar made the comments at an online press conference on Wednesday, August 6, held for several Danish outlets after the company’s half-year report. DR reports that he said the company must run at a completely different pace and do more. It requires more training, more work, getting up earlier and going to bed later, he said.
According to DR, the remark came as Doustdar was asked about Novo Nordisk no longer being ranked Denmark’s most attractive workplace in the recruitment firm Randstad’s 2026 employer survey. Politiken, which covered the press conference earlier in the week, reported that the CEO described the company as no place for those looking for easy work.
Unions call the tone outdated
Jannik Frank Petersen, chairman of Teknisk Landsforbund, told DR the rhetoric was undignified and placed unnecessary pressure on employees. His union represents around 600 Novo Nordisk employees, mainly in production. Per Petersen, members have already given their right arm for the company, and the CEO now wants their left arm too.
Petersen also said he believes the language could increase stress and make it harder for Novo Nordisk to attract workers in the future. He compared the tone to a foreman shouting at staff on a 1950s assembly line. As reported by DR, he questioned what good could come from telling remaining staff to tighten up after 5,000 jobs were cut in Denmark.
Sara Vergo, chair of Djøf, which represents nearly 800 lawyers and economists at Novo Nordisk, said the statement sends a hard signal. She noted that many members already work long hours at all times of the day and that many have symptoms of stress. Vergo said she understands a leader calling for unity, but that employees have already been through large cost-cutting rounds and reorganizations.
Background to the pressure
DR notes that Novo Nordisk has about 7,200 fewer employees in Denmark than before Doustdar took over as CEO from Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. The share price has fallen from a peak above 1,000 kroner two years ago to around 300 kroner. The half-year report, published Tuesday evening, raised full-year expectations but still points to earnings and sales at or below last year’s level.
In a statement dated September 10, 2025, Novo Nordisk said it would cut about 9,000 roles globally, including some 5,000 in Denmark, to speed up decision-making. The same statement said the restructuring should deliver about 8 billion kroner in annual savings by the end of 2026. Reuters reported in October 2025 that the Danish layoffs were moving quickly.
DR says Novo Nordisk declined to comment on the criticism.
