Duke Clinical Research Institute Employee Reviews about "dcri"
65% would recommend to a friend
(32 total reviews)
Adrian Hernandez
85% approve of CEO
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "Biggest advantage of DCRI is that it is part of Duke with great benefits and regular work hours" (in 28 reviews)
- "It is hard to bring (or keep) quality employees because of the low pay structure and terrible annual raises." (in 13 reviews)
- "HR doesn't listen either and are of no help when an employee has an issue with a bad manager" (in 9 reviews)
- "Upper management made the wrong decisions and middle management were not supportive." (in 5 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of Duke Clinical Research Institute and is not affected by filters.
Found 32 of over 231 reviews
Updated Nov 14, 2023
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Reviews about "dcri"
Return to all Reviews- 5.0Apr 1, 2015Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearDurham, NC
Pros
DCRI is changing for the better. They are in tuned with their employees and are constantly striving for a better work culture. I left Duke for 2 and ½ years and I am so glad to be back. But this is the first time I've worked at DCRI. What’s exciting for me is the drastic changes I have observed since joining the organization. I have never worked for an organization (include big Duke) that I feel cares and really listens to what their employees have to say, how we feel, and what matters to us. I am so proud to be in an organization where you can voice your concerns and they are heard; you can tell management how you feel and not have to worry about your job. I know there were some things that happened in 2013 that really upset the employees and changed the morale of DCRI. But I feel that management and the Executives are trying to right those wrongs. As a result, I feel that the Executive level management has been open about their plans and the goals for DCRI. They value our opinions and they make us feel as if we matter. A work culture survey was administered in October, and I must say the action taken by the Executive team is mind blowing! I am so impressed with how they have responded to the feedback and the aggressive approach they have taken to make DCRI a better place to work. I can't think of any other place I'd rather be!
Cons
The salary at DCRI is not as competitive as industry. However, I heard that they are working to change that.
3 - 1.0Feb 22, 2014Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsDurham, NC
Pros
The mission and values of DCRI as a non profit and highly scientific organization attracted me to join several years ago. There are a lot of smart MDs to support their clinical research, a good office building conveniently located near Duke Hospital. Good employer's matching for 403b, good benefits and good IT support.
Cons
A year ago, the company had massive lay-offs and the remaining employees have been left to work the same amount of work with "skeleton" teams. Upper management made the wrong decisions and middle management were not supportive. The best and brightest employees are leaving every month, putting tremendous pressures to exempt employees who have to work more than 50 - 60 hours/ week to compensate for this. Training has been neglected, time-off policies encourage bad employees to take advantage and leave the good employees to work even harder. DCRI is a leaking boat waiting to sink deeper every day.
2 - 5.0May 7, 2016Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
Clinical Operation's leadership team works well together. Open and transparent communication to all levels of the department. Flexible work schedule is a plus promoting the work/life balance that sets DCRI apart from a CRO.
Cons
Parking is expensive. Technology is lagging.
2 - 5.0Apr 7, 2015Staff SpecialistCurrent EmployeeDurham, NC
Pros
After working at Duke in various capacities for 15 years I have had the opportunity to transfer to the DCRI. I have been here for almost a year. What I have found is that this is one of the best places to work for at Duke. I feel as though I am a valued member of the team, where my experience is an asset. It's a relaxed atmosphere that is warm and inviting. People don't feel as though they have to compete with each other to get ahead, it's very collaborative. I feel as though I can o to my boss and eve to upper management with concerns, questions, praise, etc. My boss has actually said to me, 'I've got your back.' Not many places have I heard that. I enjoy coming in to work. I work in a staff position yet feel pride when I hear about innovations and breakthroughs made by DCRI because I know that my role behind the scenes has impacted the work that researchers are doing. I feel as though I make a difference here.
Cons
We are not all located in the same building. It would be nice if we could all be together instead of a shuttle ride away. There is not any cafeteria in the building so you either have to bring lunch or go out each day. Food trucks do come to the Durham Center 2 times a week so that's nice.
4
Duke Clinical Research Institute Response9yHearing that the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) is one of the best places to work at Duke from a 15-year university veteran is wonderful. But you’ve said something that’s even more meaningful—you feel pride when you hear about the breakthroughs the DCRI is making, and you know the work you do is important. You are making a difference at the DCRI—and in patients’ lives. Thank you. We know that our most valuable asset here at the DCRI is our people. So we strive to cultivate a community of excellence by engaging our employees with interesting work, supporting professional development, and promoting a collaborative work environment where innovation thrives—everywhere. Part of that collaborative work environment is good communication. Over the past 9 months, our leaders have met in person with more than 1,000 employees in small groups as part of our Leadership Round Table discussions. I hope you joined one of these meetings. As we enter our new fiscal year, we plan to continue this one-to-one outreach to ensure continued communication throughout the organization. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with us. ~Nicole Hedrick, Chief Human Resources Officer
- 2.0Jul 10, 2019Clinical Trial CoordinatorCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearDurham, NC
Pros
I enjoyed my first year at DCRI working with some very bright individuals with great ideas. Able to work remotely to some extent. Educational opportunities, however it needs to be very specific to position. Having said that, it has been more difficult to get approval for trainings due to DCRIs current financial situation.
Cons
Over the last several months, my opinion of DCRI has completely changed. While I have enjoyed the idea of working at a place attempting to be 'innovative', I think DCRI has a long way to go before they can claim this label. The projects seem chaotic in an industry where planning and execution are critical. Most Project Leaders I have work with do not lead, they manage by intimidation or they are simply not present with their project team. I suppose it may be a lack of training, tools, resources, etc, but in my experience this is one of the worst places I have experienced for project leadership. There seems to be a lot of distrust between staff and management in general right now, likely due to the recent RIF. That may be challenging for DCRI to get past, given how long that process took place, and how the working environment was allowed to spiral downward for so long.
9Duke Clinical Research Institute Response5yThank you for your feedback. We are glad to receive your input, and want to acknowledge our areas for improvement. We believe your advice hits the target and is aligned with our strategic plan--allow for good ideas to come from everyone, and listen! Our focus on innovation is to ensure that the DCRI continues to play a unique role in determining how clinical research should be done--our legacy, and what sponsors need from us. There are changes afoot for the DCRI and we are excited about our future. We hope that, in the coming months, you and our colleagues will also experience the excitement we feel in shaping our future. Thank you.
- 2.0Apr 14, 2013Lead CRACurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsDurham, NC
Pros
All the pros of working at DCRI are now going away. DCRI is striving to become as toxic as industry CROs. The pros of reasonable work hours and work/home life balance is now going away.
Cons
* pitiful pay raises (which used to be balanced by reasonable work hours and ability to have a work/home life balance) * new management came from industry and is ruining DCRI * unreasonable deliverable time lines and expectations
3 - 4.0Jul 25, 2017Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
Best reasons for working at DCRI Work life balance and opportunity to work remotely. Collaborative and friendly environment. DCRI encourages and provides opportunities for supporting the Durham community.
Cons
You must ride the bus or pay for parking.
Duke Clinical Research Institute Response7yThank you for sharing your positive experience. We always strive to find ways to create a healthy working environment that supports our employees including fostering a culture of work-life balance and providing the opportunity to work remotely. Also, giving back to our local community—whether it is our “Get Together to Give Together” annual holiday-giving campaign or donating time through our volunteer outings within the Durham community—is something we take great pride in. Thank you again for your comments and for your ongoing commitment to the DCRI and our mission.
- 4.0Jun 24, 2021Project LeaderCurrent EmployeeDurham, NC
Pros
great manager and teams, interesting projects
Cons
lack of promotion across DCRI
- 2.0Sep 14, 2015Project LeaderCurrent Employee, more than 8 yearsDurham, NC
Pros
DCRI Leadership has taken some steps to reorganize and put in place who are good and come from outside. This is a vast improvement from leadership that has been here forever and no real world experience. Biggest advantage of DCRI is that it is part of Duke with great benefitspart of Duke with great benefitspart of Duke with great benefits and regular work hours
Cons
DCRI Leaders like AD and Directors are here for a long time. Even when the Executive Leadership makes changes, generally the person leaving anoints one of their buddies in place. Any questioning of these leaders will have a big negative impact during performance evaluation time. Race/Religion discrimination is subtle but exists
3Duke Clinical Research Institute Response9yThank you for posting your concerns. We take any and all employee input we receive very seriously, and I need to emphasize that harassment of any kind is not acceptable at Duke. Duke promotes a respectful and productive work environment and prohibits harassment based upon an individual's race, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual preference, sex, gender identity or age. It is mandated that all managers at DCRI be trained on these policies. I encourage you--and support you--to take your concerns to Duke's Office of Institutional Equity, the group that is repsonsible for supporting compliance efforts in the areas of equal opportunity, affirmative action and harassment prevention. With your number of years here at Duke, I also hope you know that you can speak directly to your manager, schedule time with your HR representative, or come direclty to me. Nicole Hedrick, Chief Human Resources Officer
