Genentech Reviews

Pros

I like the job itself, helping patients live longer lives is very rewarding. Some of the people there are very interesting, knowledgeable and caring.

Cons

There are some very knowledgeable, experienced supervisors. But there are some supervisors that are promoted to their position for the sole reason that they have relatives or friends in high positions. They are very ignorant and inexperienced on how to manage people. Or how to manage at all. This leads to many problems on the floor. Many of those abuse their power and use for their own monetary gains.

Advice to Senior Management

I think you need to hire more professional, educated, experienced supervisors. Listen to your work force, they are the ones on the floor everyday.

Pros

The salaries and benefits were good, but are now being cut.

Cons

Jobs are not secure, Swiss owners don't care about or respect US employees. Company only cares about making money, not helping patients or medical research.

Pros

Great pay, pleasant co-workers, incredible perks (lots of free food, great gym, many company-sponsored events, terrific benefits), interesting science and knowing we're helping society.

Cons

Corporate structure feels stifling, not much opportunity for advancement in my field, management often seems confused, hard to find and disseminate information and directives to clients

Advice to Senior Management

Work on unifying departmental policies so that information is easier to provide to clients.

Pros

Lots of people that love science. Work hard, play hard. Lots of resources to do elaborate experiments. Great place to learn.

Cons

Over-emphasis on PhD requirements. Easy to get stuck in a certain position. Hours can be long. Sometimes too much emphasis on work life, and not on home life.

Advice to Senior Management

Try to incorporate the needs of all the various departments, including early research, in order to keep things fair throughout the company. Less money spent on perks like parties, and use the money for bonuses instead.

Pros

Gene is a great company for settlers, if you are ambitious, Gene is not the place for you.

Cons

2 wrongs made a right there

Advice to Senior Management

treat everybody differently

Pros

GDS dept use to be a fun place to work, a lot. Of team building activities, etc

Cons

Everything changed once Roche took over with their "operational excellence. They ruined a good thing by being overly confident in their assessment of the dept and what it did on a daily basis. I quote this from a Sr Mngr moments after claiming 50% of the staff will be laid off, "it's not about the quality but the quantity.".

Advice to Senior Management

Take the time to listen to your employees and stop
Being so arrogant. The dept doesn't run with too many chiefs and not enough indians

Pros

Great people to work with
Benefits & Flexibility

Cons

Integration period leaves many wondering about future culture and progress of company

Pros

Benefits and company culture is GREAT--communication is always abundant about how to get connected and network. You're never at a shortage of finding things to do on campus, free meals abound almost at least once a week. The company really tries to keep a close knit culture so that everyone feels like they're still working at a start-up. I admire that greatly and look for that in other companies I am interested in.

Cons

It's definitely not the company but the MANAGERS. I understand that middle level "people" managers have a tough job of answering to the senior directors as well as leading their direct reports, but I haven't really seen my manager with that ability. This manager constantly hands off projects to direct reports, instead of doing it themselves, but then likes to take credit for them. I don't see any support for career development other than offhanded comments in a condescending tone. One time we had a training for managers telling them to stop giving so many ad-hoc projects to your team, this manager came back and said to disregard b/c these projects are what makes us stand out. WHAT?! 360 degree feedback was given on my performance and the only negative comments were from the manager, yet everyone who works with me only had strong things to say..shady if you ask me.

Wanting to be promoted or developed in ANOTHER team but manager never tried to help, eventually left to another company that gave me managing position.

Advice to Senior Management

REALLY look at your middle managers and take note of all the training i

Pros

Good money, good food, ok support.

Cons

Too political, snobby seniors, grouping up.

Advice to Senior Management

Be yourself.

Pros

Especially for the area, the salaries, benefits and work conditions are very good. There are many dedicated and talented people working at the site and the products Genentech manufactures save lives. The Hillsboro facility is brand new.

Cons

Directors and site leadership are severely disconnected from the line workers and supervisors. Morale and job dissatisfaction are at an all time high. Since this site is a 'greenfield' start-up, the original staff were talented, handpicked engineers, technicians and specialists. Unfortunately, many of these people are demotivated to the point where well over 1/3 of the salaried staff are looking for employment elsewhere. I can say with confidence that this site is not representative of Genentech as a whole. If you are pursuing employment at Genentech, check out the sites in California. As a company, Genentech is amazing but this site has a long way to go.

Advice to Senior Management

Class A and the governance model are a waste of time when the site cannot fill vials. Please stop trying to meet the schedule at all cost and please stop ignoring your managers and line workers. Don't worry about 'managing the message' and just communicate to the staff. The site is full of smart, professional people who can handle the hard truth if you will just be open with us.