Great remote policy and PTO, but burnout, bureaucracy, and lack of hiring make it hard to stay - Scientist Merck Employee Review

3.0
Jan 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Remote-first culture with solid remote work infrastructure. 25 days PTO is a real benefit and better than many competitors. Some smart and supportive teammates.

Cons

The organization is very bureaucratic – multiple layers of approval and endless internal processes slow everything down. As the company gets closer to the patent cliff, work-life balance has clearly worsened. Workload has increased, but support or headcount has not. Teams are understaffed, yet management prioritizes cost-cutting over hiring. There’s a constant expectation to do more without additional resources. Promotions feel rare and unclear. It’s hard to understand what you need to do to move up, and decisions often feel political rather than merit-based. There’s a strong “average” culture where people who contribute a lot and those who do the minimum are treated similarly. This makes it hard to stay motivated, and burnout is very real.

Explore other reviews about Merck

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

End of the year shutdown which includes paid time off

Cons

The con for me at the time was that I had to relocate which wasn’t possible

4.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Over my tenure, I had the opportunity to work alongside highly talented and mission-driven colleagues dedicated to improving patient outcomes. The organization provided exposure to cross-functional collaboration, leadership development opportunities, and meaningful work supporting healthcare providers, patients, and community stakeholders. I appreciated the company's commitment to innovation, professional growth, and serving patients through scientific advancement.

Cons

Like many large organizations, priorities and organizational structures evolved over time, which occasionally created uncertainty and changes in responsibilities. Decision-making processes could sometimes be complex due to the size of the organization, and navigating multiple layers of stakeholders occasionally impacted speed and execution.

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