Setup for management; not innovation - Senior Software Engineer Elsevier Employee Review

1.0
Nov 29, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Not sure. I have only been here for a year. I cannot point to one thing that I think is a pro comparing to other companies where I have worked. I do like the fact that it is in center city and is accessible by public transportation

Cons

Too corporate. There is confusion about clear roles within the team. Everyone claims everyone is responsible for everything, but everyone has different titles. There is ambition for innovation, but the company is set up more to discipline people than create an environment that promotes innovation and creativity. There is a lot of physical diversity (there are people of all kinds), but I am not sure that translates to psychological diversity (the ability for everyone to feel they belong based on activities within the company; i.e. team culture)

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5.0
May 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Industry leader Great benefits Incentive trips Invests heavily in its employees

Cons

Processes can be burdensome and clunky at times

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Elsevier Response
3w
Thank you for this balanced and thoughtful review. We're glad to hear that our benefits and investment in people are making a positive impact, those are commitments we take seriously. On the process feedback: Leadership is actively reviewing operational workflows, and the advice to listen more closely to employee feedback is something we're holding ourselves accountable to. If you're open to it, we'd encourage you to bring specific examples forward through your team or people and culture contacts. Change is most effective when it's grounded in the real experiences of the people doing the work, and that means you. Feel free to reach out to us at elseviergdrev@elsevier.com to provide more information Thank you for staying engaged and for caring enough to share this. It matters.
4.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Every direct manager I've had has been excellent: supportive, positive, and trusting me to deliver good work instead of micromanaging. Employees tend to stay, which suggests stability even if not everyone gets promotions or significant raises.

Cons

The pressure to outsource as much as possible, which is common at every publisher, leads to frustration. Because promotions or significant raises seem to be rare, you may be stuck in neutral unless you're very openly ambitious.

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