Too Much Work, Too Few Employees - Senior Specialist, Quality Assurance Abbott Employee Review

1.0
Sep 8, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Interesting work if you have time to learn. Good people trying their best.

Cons

Repeatedly cutting employees, adding more layers of managers, way too much work to do related to the number of available employees. At first, we were able to absorb more and more work by working early mornings, evenings, weekends and during time off such as vacations. There was no such thing as work life balance despite that being one of Abbott's goals. As even more employees weren't replaced, and more new complex products were launched, there weren't enough hours anymore to do the work. In addition: 1. Antiquated hardware and software on the brink of failure. 2. Required return to the office rules when you could get more done at home without fighting traffic both ways. 3. Threatening people who refuse to return to the office. 4. Horrible coffee in each breakroom. 5. Horrible food in the cafeterias and no menus. 6. Open office except for managers. 7. Having to take conference calls in the open office (very disruptive). 8. Inadequate storage space for work records. Multiple people are storing work records and materials in cardboard boxes under their desks because there is no other place to put them.

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Abbott Response
2y
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Explore other reviews about Abbott

5.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Team is supportive and great to work here. lot of freedom and no micromanagement.

Cons

as of now nothing but its good place to work.

2.0
Jun 15, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

• Strong brand and market position • Talented individual contributors and subject matter experts sprinkled throughout the organization • Opportunity to work on products that impact many patients

Cons

These comments reflect experience within Abbott Diabetes Care. • Culture can feel political and risk-averse, with difficult issues often addressed indirectly rather than transparently • Decision-making is slowed by multiple layers of management, many of whom appear focused more on managing upward than enabling teams and execution • Long-tenured management structures can create limited accountability, discourage new ideas, and make modernization difficult • Some leadership styles feel hierarchical and dismissive of dissenting viewpoints, making it risky to challenge the status quo • Strategic thinking and decision authority are concentrated among a relatively small group of senior leaders, creating bottlenecks and limiting innovation • Office environments and ways of working often feel outdated compared to more modern organizations • Organizational responsiveness can be frustratingly low. Routine requests, decisions, and communications often require multiple follow-ups, creating unnecessary delays and reducing accountability • Promotions and performance assessments often lack transparency, leading employees to question whether advancement is based on impact, visibility, DEI, or internal relationships • Employees navigating significant career or life transitions may experience varying levels of support, visibility, and development opportunities, making career continuity and progression feel less predictable than they should be

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