INC Research Reviews

Pros

Projects cover a wide range of interesting topics. Training is constant, so I feel I am keeping up with the business world in general and this industry in particular, plus getting specialized education about individual clients' needs. I enjoy having colleagues globally. The benefits, such as health insurance and 401(k) match, are decent. Besides regular PTO the company gives you a week off with pay in December. All levels of management seek feedback on various subjects at various times. Business casual attire is acceptable for most people. Telecommuting is OK for most people. Everyone is courteous and has a professional demeanor. The new hire orientation program at headquarters was terrific; it definitely got me started with optimism. I do not feel like "just a number."

Cons

I like the environment but others don't because you must keep up the intense pace and have great attention to detail. I've seen smart people fail because they could not sit still and concentrate long enough. You must be able to handle deadlines. Sometimes you work harder than at others to accomplish important goals. You must work independently a lot (although there is support) and be flexible. You frequently multi-task. As a new employee I was disappointed with my first raise considering how hard I'd worked and how much positive feedback I'd gotten. (However, as noted above, other compensation like health insurance and 401(k) are appreciated. Next year work on salary?)

Pros

Overall I have been happy with my manager and the studies I have worked on. The team has been supportive and has worked together to deliver quality on-time work. Making INC look good. The studies have been interesting, and sponsor has been good to work with. New CRA bonus based on number of visit completed within a quarter. INC is a growing company.

Cons

I had a six month period where I was working with an assistant manager who was unreasonable. I nearly left during this time. That person has since move on. I blame this person rather than the company as a whole. My biggest complaint about INC is that they have not given raises in the last two years, despite good work performance. They have used every excuse in the book. The economy is bad, INC is buying 3 new companies, the latest merger has delayed annual reviews and thus merit increases. Its interesting that INC has 300+ million to buy 3 companies, but not give merit increases.

Pros

There is a lot of support from the company when learning new roles. Line managers and project teams are on board with helping you to succeed.

Cons

Different departments can feel like you're working at a different company. If you get in particular departments, the experience can be completely different. Each project is different, as well. If you have a good PM, your project will be smooth sailing. If you have a new PM, who doesn't set boundaries for the project, you can easily work 50+ hours a week trying to keep up with all of the extra work on spreadsheets and reports.

Pros

Great PTO with Christmas to New Year's off. Great flexibility - telecommute available. Great people - everyone is friendly and helpful. Important work - we're saving lives.

Cons

Since the IPO earlier this year things have definitely been steadily getting worse. There is more and more focus on churning out better numbers rather than quality work. Increasing focus on meeting numbers and utilization rates are making us spend a lot more time on administrative tasks rather than doing great work.

Pros

Great Working Teams - the people are really nice and most are very helpful. Flexibility - While I don't have kids, those that do seem to have fairly wide flexibility related to working from home (maybe this is a con for me...)

Cons

Slow advancement: While our higher level people are very qualified (and therefore busy), this does not lend itself to much mentoring and leads to slow and tedious advancement. Unless you are a personal favorite or on a project team with a higher level member of the company, expect a protracted advancement schedule Lack of transparency: Promotions are painful and you will have to do most of the legwork (as in proving that you are doing a job at which the Sponsor is already aware that you are excelling). Promotions (and layoffs) are done in secrecy which adds to people's confusion and skepticism of the advancement process.

Pros

Decent health benefits; good PTO; flex-hours and work-from-home opportunities; upper management seems invested in my progress; recognition for hard work; local management provides opportunities for advancement/career development; opportunities for cash bonuses but...(see cons); I've been with INC 4 years and have had 2 promotions with a total increase in salary of 60%. I feel appreciated and valued at INC.

Cons

There is opportunity for cash bonuses as recognition for hard work on difficult projects but the bonuses are rare and seem to be provided to teams in the larger offices - I don't know that any of my local team members have received cash bonuses but they are all dedicated and hard-working employees; local group has historically been cliquish but local/upper management is now mixing team members on projects so it's improved. Clunky, cumbersome online SOP training system. Overworked statisticians (understaffed) put delivery timelines at risk - I'd like to see more statisticians added.