Unsustainable workload and poor support in the Microbiology Department - Scientist Merck Employee Review

2.0
Oct 14, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some of the coworkers were talented, hardworking, and genuinely cared about the science. The benefits package was good, and the company provides opportunities to learn new lab technologies.

Cons

The Microbiology Department was chronically understaffed, leading to extremely long workdays and constant pressure to meet unrealistic demands. Employees often worked through breaks just to keep up. Leadership focused heavily on output but provided very little support for employee well-being. The fast-paced and high-pressure environment made it difficult to maintain quality and balance. High turnover reflected how unsustainable the culture had become

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent company to work with.

Cons

No cons encountered so far

4.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits like medical/dentist/vision, pension, stock option, 401k match. Co workers are excellent, pretty good on site symposiums, lot of diversity clubs/activities. Innovation is extremely welcomed. Diversity in research portfolio. AI/ML is heavily invested to make databases more efficient.

Cons

Micro managing, especially within the biologics department, potentially others. Promotions are limited, and pay bump is poor. Company invests too much in buying companies rather than keeping talent - lay offs let go of great talented people. Merck is afraid of investing into exploratory biology and doesn’t take risk - they even admit they would rather see other companies clinical data or R&D data rather than taking a risk. Although it’s slow going in building new software, current databases are slow and needs much improvement. Extremely poor work/life balance.

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