Bottom tier RTP employer. You can do better - Maintenance Merck Employee Review

2.0
Mar 28, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay for the job. Some managers are good although they rarely stay in one role long. 25 vacation days, 10 family care days, 5 sick days, 4 shutdown days. Work life balance isn't bad if you prioritize your home life and don't let them walk all over you. When you clock out of work clock out mentally from work. Don't let them guilt you into crossing oceans for a company that won't cross the street for you.

Cons

They do not promote people no matter how well you do. They just don't. Outdated "bell curve" review system that pretends like hiring is a random sample and demands that certain people get bad reviews no matter how well they have done. Senior management and HR knowingly allow harassment and will not do anything, even if there is written evidence. They ALWAYS back their managers. Managers will make promises then not follow through. Always get everything in writing. Problem with the paycheck (which happens several times a year)... it is going to take over a month to fix via the outsourced overseas HR hotline. Be prepared to file a wage and hour complaint if you have to. False lip service to DEI. They talk a game about valuing diversity but when the rubber meets the road they put out the proverbial "minorities need not apply" sign via their actions. Doesn't matter what the RTO policy says, managers can choose to ignore it. Managers can and will harass you over protected characteristics and there is nothing that HR or corporate will do. All their lip service on accountability, accommodation, DEI, etc., mean absolutely nothing if bad managers can do whatever they want, including break federal law.

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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