Great work/life balance, poor management - Scientist Merck Employee Review

2.0
Jan 8, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The flex time and vacation policies, as well as compensation benefits, are at par or above for the industry. The insurance benefits are also terrific.

Cons

There is a lack in managerial organization and ease of advancement. There is a gaping disconnect between the goals and regulations mandated by upper management and the information given to employees in order to reach these goals. There is also a severe lack of employee morale, and management has not yet found a way to show employees appropriate appreciation, nor purge the department of its exasperated attitude. There is also clear evidence to show that, at least within this department, that advancement is nearly impossible. I have colleagues 10+ years my senior who are still doing the same job I am, or worse yet, used to have more clout and responsibility and now are back doing their entry level jobs.

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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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