GlaxoSmithKline Reviews in Raleigh-Durham, NC Area

Pros

Great place to work, great opportunities to interact globally

Cons

Manufacturing side is challenged right now

Advice to Senior Management

none

Pros

Awesome benefits, great location, talented professional co-workers, great facilities, excellent salaries, good room for growth, top industry bonuses, still has pension plan

Cons

Too many layers of management, management hires outstanding performers but does not trust them to be knowledgeable enough to do their jobs, therefore some projects get stagnated because management has to be too deeply involved in even the smallest projects, decreased ability to work from home due also to management's lack of trust in motivated highly competent workforce.

Advice to Senior Management

Know that you hire the best. Admit that management isn't the expert on everything, which is why you hire the best, so that they can advise you and make decisions within their areas of expertise. Empower your employees and lower management. Being control freaks is the biggest threat to the GSK organization - it s slowing down progress on projects and frustrating employees and lower management. Make the organization flatter so that there aren't 4 levels of review and approval. Also, why move to the open space environment, then practically forbid folks to work from home? Shows further lack of trust that middle and upper management has in it's people, which is unfounded. Having worked at 2 others pharmas in the past, know that GSK's workforce is THE most talented, capable and committed. Maybe if management realizes this, we can move forward united to meet our goals.

Pros

Globally recognized organization. Excellent Phramceutical products.

Cons

The opportunities that existed have slowly faded away. Budget cuts are restricting education, travel. Upgrades to IT hardware and software are minimized. Morale is low as the constant restructing/outsourcing/downsizing takes place. So called smart office space (table and chair) instead of a cube/office or personal space makes for a challenging work environment. No clear career path or room for advancement.

Advice to Senior Management

The US seems to be an afterthought. All new activity is now occuring in the UK. Perhaps GSK should consider manufacturing, and research back in the US. The recent McLauren project as well as other manufacturing construction in the UK looks good for the UK and not so good for the US.

Pros

Excellent products. Good pay and benefits. Well respected in the industry.

Cons

People are expected to keep their heads down and get their work done. Not an environment that fosters collaboration or innovation.

Advice to Senior Management

Make people feel appreciated for their work and their ideas. Encourage people to try new things and to work together in a collaborative environment where they trust each other.

Pros

Great pay and benefits. Generally good physical working conditions. Good bonuses.

Cons

Very limited promotion opportunity within department without taking a role in another department or location. Toxic working conditions from corporate restructuring. Constant fear of RIF.

Advice to Senior Management

Look at your employees as tangible and value added assets instead of making liabilities to good financials.

Pros

They do really good things for people who need their medicines.
They have some innovative management ideas.
Advancement is available.

Cons

Don't get stuck in a bad department.
As with any job, networking and getting your personal brand known is key to moving up.
Increased litigation and legislation unfavorable to US pharmaceuticals has led to most leadership positions moving to London, UK.

Advice to Senior Management

I think the focus has shifted from delivering products of value to constantly seeking shareholder approval. Don't make cuts in staff before you invest in efficiencies to be able to do without them. Put health care back into pharmaceuticals. Some of the best decisions for healthcare are not based on one quarter's profits.

Pros

Benefits such as health insurance, dental, pension, etc
Most of the employees are good hardworking people that want to do the right thing.

Cons

Inflexible
Inconsistent
Not family friendly
I'm not sure who keeps voting for GSK as one of the Best Places to Work...it must be HR, because it most certainly is not.
Does not understand work-life balance.
Limited promotion and advancement opportunities
Toxic environment due to continuous layoffs....the morale is very bad in the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Create more opportunities for advancement in company.
Create more work-life balance.
Continue the excellent benefits.
The US Pharma President should reside where headquarters is located. It makes a difference for employees to be able to run into their management at the office and makes it seem more as a team.

Pros

Good benefits and higher wages than other companies at many positions

Cons

Management from the top levels is often inconsistent in word and action, providing ample motivation for good employees to leave

Advice to Senior Management

Reconsider the concept of employees as assets worth investing in instead of costs

Pros

benefits package, helpful coworkers, beautiful campus, motivating atmosphere, state of the art equipment, amazing management, networking, versatility to cross train in various areas

Cons

politics, some nepotism, difficult to get interview, commute, no "park and ride", well-qualified workers easily replaced by new graduates, many positions start as contract positions

Advice to Senior Management

Take more time to orient and train new employees, offer more permanent positions to increase feelings of security

Pros

Above-average compensation and benefits pkg. Depending upon the area of business, telecommuting is encouraged.

Cons

Communication is poor. Sr. mgmt ignores workers in the trenches. Many of the fringe benefits--e.g. childcare subsidy; quality cafeteria/fitness centers--have been taken away completely or are of exceptionally poor quality. Work/life balance is constantly talked about, but not actually encouraged (i.e. ongoing layoffs have resulted in fewer people doing more work and, thus, working long hours, including many weekends).

Advice to Senior Management

Take more risks. Invest more in developing people--stop talking about it and actually DO it. And for heaven's sake, invest in IT. The future of the industry depends not just on R&D but also on being an innovative player technologically.