Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory "red tape" Reviews | Glassdoor
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    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Employee Reviews about "red tape"

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    40 Employee Reviews

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    1. "World-Class Lab Doing World-Class Work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Physicist
      Current Employee - Physicist
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than 5 years)

      Pros

      LLNL hires some of the world's smartest people and lets them work on the world's hardest problems. It has cutting edge-research facilities that provide access to conditions analogous to the most extreme in the universe. Computation is also a key capability at LLNL, and it possesses some of the world's fastest supercomputers.

      The location is a great one, and the people are great to work with.

      Cons

      Red tape: LLNL is a government contractor, and the delays and bureaucracy associated with such work are certainly present. It is generally isolated from the more partisan politics, but budgets can be influenced by what is currently in favor.

    2. "So much better than the corporate world!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Machinist in Livermore, CA
      Current Employee - Machinist in Livermore, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      The best thing about my work here is the pace. Out in the corporate world it is "GO GO GO!" However, here at the lab it's a MUCH slower pace. A lot of importance is put on taking your time and doing the job safely and well.

      Safety is another key plus. It is taken extremely seriously here. You will never be asked to do something unsafe to get a job done on time.

      Cons

      One of the very few cons is that things happen slowly at the lab. Sometimes that's by design, but sometimes it's because of the red tape. When you learn to sit back a bit and enjoy the slower pace, it does become a bit less frustrating.

      Advice to Management

      Keep up the good work!

      3. Join the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "LLNL is Wonderful and Getting Better All the Time!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      AMAZING work-life programs! Very easy to have a wonderful career AND a life outside of work. Most managers are super flexible and understanding. Really cool on-site programs like Author talks, tons of fitness options, great special events, live music, a farmers market, nice walking paths, wildlife, etc.. Lots of really great science and opportunities to work on very interesting projects. People here are friendly and engaging.

      Cons

      LOTS of old processes and red tape . A bit "historic"- many things need to be updated (but it appears they are working on these -- lots of construction happening).

      Advice to Management

      Make it easier to share our ideas and suggestions.

    4. "Engaging Work for a Purpose"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Livermore, CA
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Livermore, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      I want to feel like my work is for a higher purpose - and that's what I've found working at LLNL. I believe in the mission, the vision and the values. The people I work with have the same passion about their work and we have fun. When someone asks where I work, I'm proud to say I work at the Lab.

      Cons

      Working for the government is not for everyone. There is red tape and bureaucracy.

      Advice to Management

      Transparent leadership is the key to fostering a culture of trust.

      Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Response

      Sep 12, 2018 – Recruiting Group Leader

      Thank you for your review of the Lab. We are proud of the Lab's mission, vision and values and we're glad you're proud to work for LLNL!

    5. Helpful (1)

      "LLNL Summer Intern"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Intern - Graduate Student in Livermore, CA
      Former Intern - Graduate Student in Livermore, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as an intern (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Exciting work, friendly people, consistently challenged

      Cons

      Some old facilities, red tape

    6. "Computational Engineering Division"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Intern - Ced
      Current Intern - Ced
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as an intern (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Friendly, Intelligent, Professional work environment. As a senior undergrad, I am fairly compensated at 23.80/hr. Hands down the best place I have ever worked (maybe about 4 companies total)

      Cons

      Red tape, don't expect to get through projects very quickly

      Advice to Management

      They are great!

    7. "Good Work Life Balance,"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      I came from a private consulting company and the hours/work-life balance and the benefits at LLNL are way ahead of my old workplaces. We have flexible schedules, inexpensive health insurance (through Kaiser), and a god 401LK. Managers respect time off.

       The older employees here grumble a lot, but I think many of them have no idea what the outside is like and how good we have it here. If many of these employees had to work a job at a normal, for-profit company and would be expected to do productive work (not just watching Fox News and movies all day) and work more than 2 hours a day they would realize how good they have it here.

      Cons

      Inefficient. Like others have mentioned, there is a lot of red tape. There is also a frustrating amount of bloat, including a lot of admin staff that seems unnecessary. There are also too many managers supervising a small handful of employees, and mangers of those managers and more managers.
      Decrepit facilities. There are too many people and not enough places for staff. We have had water leaking through our roof that has to be caught in 55 gallon trash cans every time it rains. This has been going on for well over 2 years. Old, disintegrating trailers are stuffed to the gills with people with no budget for repairs or improvements, and no new office space in sight.

      Advice to Management

      Cut payroll bloat and re-invest in facilities. It seems like managers are petrified of lawsuits and cant fire unproductive people if they have gotten beyond their probation period

    8. "A place to make a real impact in the world"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Contract Analyst
      Current Employee - Contract Analyst
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Decent pay, great benefits, flexible hours, very talented people and the opportunity to make a real impact.

      Cons

      Government red tape and bureaucracies hinder progress, taking a lot of work to get little done. This is, however, inevitable in this line of work and industry (Federal Government). Good restaurants are a little ways from the lab so you have to either bring your own lunch or eat at 1 of the 2 subpar cafeterias on campus.

      Advice to Management

      Continue to monitor the pay and benefits of the private sector to ensure competitive compensation to retain employees.

    9. "Intern"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      Pros

      Great organization with a meaningful mission. Will not find a better government job in the country.

      Cons

      Bureaucracy and red tape, which is expected.

    10. "Great Career Move"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Nuclear Facility Manager in Livermore, CA
      Current Employee - Nuclear Facility Manager in Livermore, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Great compensation, benefits, 401k matching, and work/life balance. Most importantly, LLNL is a leader in many advance technologies and the work directly impacts the safety of our country.

      Cons

      Being a government contractor does mean there is a lot of red tape. Coming from another DOE contract laboratory, that is to be expected when you are dealing with the government.
      Commute traffic in California Bay Area can be really bad, but supervision at LLNL will work with you to find what work hours works best for you and your commute (within reason) and are understanding if you are late due to an accident on the interstate.
      Additionally, housing prices in the Bay Area are very high. Overall the pros far outweigh the cons.

      Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Response

      Jan 29, 2018 – Employee Relations Program Leader

      Thank you for your review. LLNL has a very competitive benefits package and values work/life balance.

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