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Lawrence Berkeley Lab

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Serious Cuts are Happening Here - Anonymous employee Lawrence Berkeley Lab Employee Review

1.0
Mar 14, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you are a cutting edge scientist or your job is indispensable, you are set. Some departments are wonderful to work for, but others are toxic. Benefits are fine for now, but they are seriously declining due to budget restraints.

Cons

Depending on the department you work for and your job responsibilities, this can be the greatest place to work or the worst. OCFO (Office of the Chief Financial Officer), in particular, has a very bad reputation. Do not apply for a job in this office if you find an opening! They have a habit of firing people before their 6 month probation period so they don't have to pay severance or COBRA and then they will repost the position to squeeze 6 months work out of the next person before they get fired. This practice has been going on for years. Upper management has been bringing in their own people under sketchy business practices, something well-known within the LBL community. The problem is new people have no idea what's going on. People change their lives to get jobs here and management has no problems forcing them out early leaving them with no salary or insurance. Everyone in this company is very nervous about losing their jobs right now.

Explore other reviews about Lawrence Berkeley Lab

5.0
May 4, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Interesting work and beautiful environment

Cons

Space can be a bit tight

3.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Beautiful location, you oversee the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and SF. Research environment, great bridge for academics to transition to a more applied research. Benefits quite good

Cons

Low wages, especially in the scientific staff. Basically no career progression. Offices are a mixed bags (some departments have brand new buildings, others have very old buildings). Do not rely on their immigration services to get anything beyond temporary work visas.

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