Just a hired hand - Senior Scientist Novartis Employee Review

2.0
May 2, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

pride in company products and goals good benefits 6% match on 401(k) up to $1K given for dependent care beautiful campus

Cons

- Raise/review are decided on before feedback is given. It is done on a curve, with 10% of the population forced into receiving no raise and lower bonus. HR will not confirm/deny this, of course. - Typically worked more than 40 hours a week, received no overtime pay or additional time off, even though they say flextime is one of their benefits. -No work/life benefits realized. It's offered on paper only. People in R&D work well over 60 hours a week for up to a 3% raise, if you're one of the lucky 10% in the top tier. Like I said, the raise thing is based on a curve. So, for an extra 3% in your pay, you have to put in an extra 10 hours a week, give up your vacation time, and hope that management likes you. -Management is incompetent, stays behind a desk, doesn't know the work people under him do (since it's a flatter organization), and doesn't listen to the advice of others. It takes years for a manager to be kicked out of management and put into a different role. (you'd figure they would fire him instead.) -People aren't valued, even though they list that as one the company values.

Explore other reviews about Novartis

5.0
May 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

people are friendly and easy to work with

Cons

daily commute takes longer than expected

2.0
May 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pays pretty well in comparison to similar jobs in the market

Cons

Unstable schedule where you are often asked to come in overnight (1-2 am) regardless of if you have worked the previous day or are off. Basically feels like you're permanently on-call to conduct environmental monitoring. Training is slow. The Micro dept in general is currently understaffed. The job also involves lab work once you are done with your daily environmental monitoring tasks. The work never ceases and the Technicians as a whole has several responsibilities. Promotions seem to come very slowly here.

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