Potential to return to greatness with the approval of a breakthrough cancer therapy later this year. - Associate Director Merck Employee Review

3.0
Mar 25, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some very bright people still remain, although many excellent people have left. Vacation policy is generous.

Cons

Constant layoffs, and too much focus on financial results, and not enough on the patient. Employee morale is low. Senior management, with the exception of the Research division president, is poor. Raises are sub-inflation on average. Bonuses lower this year than in any year in recent memory.

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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