BioMarin Pharmaceutical Reviews

Cons

Some departments exhibit larger than average employee turn-over rate.

Cons

the commute is just horrendous

Cons

The most top-heavy organization I've ever seen, and some reporting structures make no sense (e.g., qualified individuals reporting to someone vastly less qualified). Lack of transparency in titles and promotions. Employees get frustrated seeing someone 2-3 levels above them despite comparable responsibility level, work experience, education credentials, etc.
VPs want to call the shots on issues that they are frankly out of touch with, and make little attempt to fully understand the situation. Subject matter experts who voice concerns are patronized or bullied. I quickly learned to just keep my head down and brace myself for the next fallout due poor management decisions. Then I end up working 14 hour days and weekends to help clean up a mess that could have easily been prevented.
A lot of individual contributors are overworked, with few professional development opportunities. There aren't many internal promotions. The former Genentech old boys club prefers to tap their friends for these opportunities instead.
Company is fragmented geographically, which results in silos between teams/departments. This is exacerbated by having fewer company social events like lunches, coolers, etc. where people used be able to network.

Cons

Poorly defined promotion timelines and structure. People from other big pharmaceutical companies (think Roche, Genentech and Gilead) have brought in their "throw you under the bus mentality." Supervisors in various Manufacturing plants can be incredibly unprofessional towards their employees and other groups, with no noticeable consequences. Loss of free lunches and the holiday party was not a good idea either! Toxic areas full of gossip are really affecting various departments!

Cons

Management breathing down your neck, perks progressively getting taken away, all the cons of working for a big company minus the pros. Glass ceilings for research associate, the whole company's future is riding on the faith of one project, no telecommuting because managers want to watch your every move, penny pinching budget, impossible for temps to convert to FTE, lifeless stock ($BMRN), little career development opportunities, very limited interaction between departments (Very few networking opportunities within the company), no holiday party, horrible commute unless coming from SF

Cons

QC has a racist executive director with initials (M. N) who harasses employees and makes gender, race insensitive comments call people bad names and make inflammatory comments all the time. Work environment is not based on quality work but based on who fits in with the culture which is very toxic and gossipy. People constantly back stab each other to get a head. Those who just talk too much and "act" confident get a head

Cons

Too many layers of management, middle management across all departments are known to be inexperienced, individual contributors do all the work.

Cons

Salaries are lower than private sector

Cons

Too much traffic around the area.

Cons

I don't have any Cons. Would like to return there