Amgen Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 8 years

Pros – The campus is quite beautiful.

Cons – Very poor culture for contract workers. There is a general lack of respect for contracted employees. I am very good at my job and am taking my knowledge and experience elsewhere. After so many years (7+) of giving the highest level of service, I am leaving to preserve my self respect.

Advice to Senior Management – Clean house. There are far too many FTEs with little to no productivity. I would bet good money that my work is credited to FTEs on Performance Evaluations.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 8 years

Pros – The company has great pay and benefits and is the most generous in the area. The campus is beautiful and the weather is usually fantastic.

Cons – Once you're in the door, career growth is slow as most hiring occurs from outside to take advantage of the weak economny. Amgen is also the most generous company in the area and there are not many external opportunities that match their benefits and compensation. If you want to grow your career and match your total compensation, expect to relocate.

Advice to Senior Management – Don't underestimate the value of tribal knowledge. Many excellent employees have left Amgen to advance their careers, and valuable history and company experience left with them.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – In the old days, Amgen was a big company that worked like a startup. The compensation was good, and there was a collaborative atmosphere and staff were motivated and energetic. The compensation is still good, and there is still collaboration, but not so much energy and motivation.

Cons – Organization and Culture is changing, maybe we are becoming 'big pharma' - but the market seems to like what's happening now, as the stock price is doing really well.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Great campus and gym, great science, generally good people

Cons – senior management gets more money while those doing the work (director and down) are getting less and less every year. Keep taking away the little things. Lack of development opportunities.

Advice to Senior Management – When I joined, Amgen was still unique but has turned into a typical large pharma company. More and more levels of management and politics to deal with with less recognition and innovation.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Benefits are excellent, location is good.

Cons – practiced values, ongoing staff reduction.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Amgen

Pros – Family friendly, flexible work style.

Cons – Very slow to change and too much middle management.

Advice to Senior Management – Hire some managers that have done the job of their subordinates more.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Amgen full-time for more than 10 years

Pros – Great People and Great Products

Cons – Old CEO only cared about his compensation.

Advice to Senior Management – Move Manufacturing back to U.S.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Great facility (good food, gym, nice outdoor space). Smart people, variety of workers(diversity), many standard procedures in place.

Cons – Many changes in managers make it difficult for employees to have a sense of stability. Some poor managers make if difficult for employees.

Advice to Senior Management – Make sure your people managers are trained in how to lead people to get the best results from staff. Start listening to your staff.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Amgen full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Lots of time off, there is a summer and winter week long shutdown.
Nice on-site gym
Decent benefits, especially 401k

Cons – Lots of corporate politics, some people enjoy this stuff I guess, I can't stand it
Not much interesting work in IS, just following procedures to the letter. Again, some people like this, so if you do, then this would be a pro

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Amgen full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Good compensation and benefits. Comfortable working environment. Strong logistic support to do your work. Solid pipeline with potential and good economic future.

Cons – Over the past 10 years, Amgen has grown from an innovative and nimble company to a top-heavy, process-driven organization with little opportunity for personal growth and advancement. Ruthless profit-oriented management imposing sudden and frequent down-sizing episodes that destroy the careers and lives of many very productive people, regardless of their good performance and contributions.

Advice to Senior Management – If you must restructure, please consider alternatives such as: (a) offering positions in growing functions and/or product lines within Amgen; (b) drastically reduce executive positions (currently up to 100+ VP at Amgen) that cost the most anyway; (c) at the very least prepare departing staff at least 6 months in advance and provide them with meaningful professional help in transitioning (not just web-based classes on how to revamp your CV or organize your search). For example: provide them with up-front recommendations to be used with new potential employers. Think first before you fire Directors: they are the backbone of the Company. They actually do the bulk of the work.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company