comfortable work, alright pay, and terrible time off - Asbestos Microscopist EMSL Analytical Employee Review

2.0
Mar 30, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It's a good place to get your foot in the door if you're desperate for a geology related job and you don't want to work construction-related. One nice thing about the PTO is you can ask for any number of hours off any day with it. Instead of a whole 8 hr a day off, you can just take 4 hours, 5 hours, however you want.

Cons

In today's day and age, $18 an hour is barely liveable when rent is $1035 a month for me. It has taken six years to get to this level of pay and it's only barely manageable. The time off system is absolute garbage. There is no distinction between PTO and sick days,.and you'// have to use potential vacation days if you dare and go do that human thing called "getting sick". And they only give you a certain amount a year and when they're gone, you won't get any more until your anniversary date, which could be as much as 9 months away. Also you're going to have to remind HR if you get COVID and need the FFRCA to pay for your lost days due to quarantine. The clock in system is annoying as well. It has this odd rollover system where if you clock in 7 minutes after an hr, it will count you as that hour, but if you clock out at 8 minutes after, it will put you as 15 minutes later. The hour is split up into four 15 minute segments and if you're not careful, you'll clock out incorrect and lose 15 minutes of pay. Furthermore, that's also how they judge how long you've worked. Instead of a sensible 2-decimal percentage of hours, they use a quarterly hour system like I described above, which makes it easy to lose pay.

Explore other reviews about EMSL Analytical

5.0
Aug 1, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great bosses, structured support from corporate office, workload is manageable compared to other labs I’ve worked for, overall culture is good

Cons

Benefits and pay aren’t great, particularly the benefits, they’re a little pricey and outside of preventative care, don’t cover enough imho, 401k is very low to where it’s almost nonexistent

3.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Often flexible schedule 2 15 min breaks 1 30 min break

Cons

Time clock driven Sometimes busy sometimes not

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