Abbott Labs Reviews in Chicago, IL Area

Pros

Benefits package. I have a very good direct manager and team.

Cons

Abbott is notoriously cheap when it comes to compensating employees. We are constantly asked to do more, faster, with less. Everyone on my immediate team does the work of three people. It burns you out, especially when you aren't financially compensated. I don't even make the low end range of my job title as listed here.

Advice to Senior Management

Take a look at the salaries here and reward the grunt workers you always ask for more!

Pros

Many smart and collaborative colleagues.
Competitive package.

Cons

Not as nimble as it needs to be. Big company environment creates "speed bumps" to getting things done.
Company struggling within current market environment limiting opportunities for growth. Has implemented a number of layoffs over the last few years.

Pros

Good pay and benefits. Good time off. Basically a good company to warehouse yourself -- especially if you want the best (in this day and age) chance for long-time job security for 5-15 years (depending). Simply tow the line and buy a house, have 2.3 kids , 2 cars, vacations and be Clark Griswold. Just the thing if a cookie-cutter, Bed, Bath and Beyond, wonder bread, midwestern lifestyle is your aim in life. Nothing wrong with that. Line up at the trough and feed. Rules: Just keep your head down, play nice and collect your checks every two weeks and be happy. Resistance is futile.

Cons

Abbott is still living in the past socially and in technology. While the people are usually nice (to your face), you still know that caucasian people are taken more seriously than so-called minorities - notwithstanding all the "minority advancement programs" designed to make Abbott Labs appear to be a "progressive" equal opportunity employer. For a company with so much cash, it is amazing at how behind the times their IT systems and methodologies are.

Advice to Senior Management

They couldn't care less about your "advice". The "town-hall" feedback system is an entertaining inside joke to upper management that is used to pacify the rabble politically and to sniff out and eventually remove any "grousers". They run a business with a high barrier to entry and as long as the ancient shareholders keep getting their huge dividend checks and the executives can buy huge houses in Lake Forest, they are satisfied.

Pros

The people at Abbott are great. It's definitely a family-friendly workplace and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking to be working parent. Abbott has opportunities for advancement and different types of projects.

Cons

IT is definitely behind the times at Abbott. It was difficult being a student and having to relearn technologies of the past in order to perform well. If you want to work with new, exciting technologies, Abbott is not the place for you.

Advice to Senior Management

Abbott is doing a good job overall. It is difficult to bring new IT solutions to a pharmaceutical company with so many FDA regulations. I think it would be good for Abbott to create a CIO position in order to better align the IT with the business strategy.

Pros

The environment was very good and friendly considering it is such a large multinational corporation. The salary was also competitive

Cons

Expect you to work hard and cannot blame them considering the competitive salary level and what the company does on a day-to-day basis.

Advice to Senior Management

Would recommend people who feel they would like to be part of a company that makes roducts that are used everday and everywhere.

Pros

The benefits and pay for managers is outstanding. The work is rewarding and you can develop lasting skills that are transferable.

Cons

Senior Management is all in for their own careers if you get in the way you are eliminated. They are not interested in anything but making themselves look good

Advice to Senior Management

They should take a long look at some of the senior management and determine if this is what they want the face of Abbott to be.

Pros

large company - anonymity, stability, great benefits (depends on how long you stay with company), within limits an open culture

Cons

Large company - too structured, limited opportunity to shine or grow unless someone from top management can sponsor you

Advice to Senior Management

Not really - doing a great job. As an employee I may not like many things, as a shareholder, I may not mind them

Pros

Abbott pays as good as other pharmaceutical companies, slightly above average. The health and prescription benefits are good. Also includes dental, life, disability and 401k with match.

Cons

No time availability for vacation. Lack of accountability for Program Management. Program Managers have no clue what they're doing and management chooses to ignore this issue.

Advice to Senior Management

Regulatory Affairs management needs to grow a pair!

Pros

-Stable company, salary is reasonable, especially as you move higher up the ladder
-Good work/life balance
-Good benefits

Cons

-Very political company, as you move up the ranks it gets more pronounced. At higher levels it is much more about relationships than quality of work.
-Once you get to a certain level, advancement is not based upon merit or skill, most jobs are never posted and are filled based upon who the hiring manager (or a friend) "knows and likes". this makes it difficult to advance without a strong group of friends in high places.
-Best advice, make as many friends as possible

Advice to Senior Management

The people really making the high level decisions that determine the fate of the company are not going to take general advice from a posting.

Pros

Best benefits I've ever had.
Science and learning are a focus.
Good culture / good people to work with i.e. very intelligent.
I learn something new everyday.
Opportunity for professional development.

Cons

North Chicago
High pressure / fast paced i.e. not a place for the lazy.

Advice to Senior Management

Pass out a few more compliments when people have done a good job. If all people hear are the negatives, it's easy to lose motivation... A simple "thank you" or "good job" go a long way to improve spirits. Those who are encouraged will work harder and take more pride / ownership in their work