Hire and fire culture - Product Manager Elsevier Employee Review

1.0
Mar 21, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The companies so huge, and everyone is so busy, that you could probably take a fortnight holiday and nobody would notice you were gone. That was about it. 2.

Cons

Was a very toxic place to work. I had warnings that it was, but went in with a "how bad can it be?" attitude. Really bad is the answer. I ended up getting forced to quit, because a vice president in a different division, who I knew from a previous job, found out I worked there, and put pressure on my current management to fire me. I ended up doing a GDPR request, after getting suspicious about what was going on - and found them plotting within e-mails, to force me out, and then lie about the reasoning. After leaving I took them to court, but they dragged things out, and tied me up in legal fees to the point where the payout wasns't going to be worth it.

Explore other reviews about Elsevier

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

avatar
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.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All