GlaxoSmithKline Reviews

I worked at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Relaxed atmosphere that promotes camaraderie

Cons – No clear path for career advancement.
No introductory training in company operations specific to the laboratory.
Frequently changed course and reshuffled staff and managers which stunted bench scientists growth and development.

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Some of the things I appreciate about GSK, accountability, respect for employees, good benefits package, fair pay. Traditional opportunities and advancement are hard to come by, but that doesn't mean there aren't development opportunities out there. You need to take the reigns, no one will do it for you (I state the obvious because many people here seem to expect someone else to be managing their careers for them). The current leadership team is very aggressive, but they respect a work/life balance.

Cons – The industry is going through some big changes, changes that may take 10-20 years to work themselves out. Be prepared for that when choosing a career in Pharma. If you're not directly related to drug development and sales, this may not be the best place to focus your career. But that being said, people will always need medicine, so if your style is compatible with the leadership of the company, go for it.

Advice to Senior Management – Be as open and transparent as you can. It may scare some, but most people appreciate honesty, even if they don't show it right away.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I worked at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Overall a good working environment and friendly competent people to work with, but with cost cutting in IT they are constantly laying off staff every year since 2000. IT is no longer a place to be at GSK.

Cons – Everyone is worried about their jobs in IT. Morale is low, productivity is adversely impacted.

Advice to Senior Management – Management does not value IT as a core business at GSK therefore is cutting it to the bone. IT has been cut to the bone, therefore we are not able to complete project work requested by the business. If looking to cut staff, it is time to look on the business side.

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – def not rocket science
great perks
flexible

Cons – No one makes any $$$ any more (relative)
seems like there are layoffs every year...wait.....there are layoffs every year..lol

Advice to Senior Management – Just keep faking it till you're making it...

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – People are great, work is challenging

Cons – Since I was contracted by a temp agency, I recieved no benefits and was not able to apply for a permanent position.

Advice to Senior Management – Offer benefits to contract workers.

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – - great co-workers
- Committed to work together
- Flexible work environment
- Better than average benefit package
- vacation and holidays

Cons – - weak management regarding transition
- Senior Management below C-level - weak at best. Seems as if they are just waiting to retire.
- Communication lacking

Advice to Senior Management – Need to be consistent in times of change. Too many VPs and Directors who lack knowledge about their respective businesses. Talent is wasted due to poor decision making by divisional leadership.

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – The sales training is top notch and ongoing. Personally, I have met a ton of great people over the years. Your experience will greatly depend on your manager. Excellent benefits. Specialty divisions embrace a more entrepreneurial culture.

Cons – At times, goals are extremely unrealistic and no one can hit them. During this current climate, much like other pharmaceutical companies, there is a lot of change to key areas such as incentive compensation and recognition. These changes seem to keep happening so you never really know how you're being measured. The pharmaceutical division is much more micromanaged.

Advice to Senior Management – The transparency can go to far sometimes in terms of what is next to come...it can be disruptive to employees when they are worrying about new performance metrics but trying to function under the current ones. More checks and balances should be in place for District managers. Many of them are extremely unprofessional, unethical and unqualified.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Global company. Interesting international culture environment. Entrepreneurial atmosphere.

Cons – Hard to get a promotion that you really deserve. Lower salary range than other companies.

Advice to Senior Management – Praise employees by their real achievements, and not by their ability to embellish themselves by their bla-bla

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

I have been working at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Convenient location, flexible work options, corporate shutdown at the end of the year

Cons – Management favoritism, lack of development, lack of communication by upper management, career advancement opportunities are few and far between, no cost of living raises offered,

Advice to Senior Management – DEVELOP your employees, listen to their feedback, offer opportunities to advance to people besides the ones you favor

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

I worked at GlaxoSmithKline

Pros – Benefits are quite good compared to other companies.

Cons – Expectation is that you will work all the time.

Advice to Senior Management – None

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend