Not the darling child it once was...very difficult place to be and work. - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

1.0
Feb 28, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Beautiful campus in San Francisco with excellent amenities such as multiple cafeterias, gym, lounge, campus bus, great views, and decent parking. Standard benefits are very competitive.

Cons

Standard benefits are not necessarily much better then competitors. The soft benefits like employee discounts and concierge are shiny add-ons, they don't really add to "great". Management is self involved and not in touch with the front line staff. Promotions are not given where warranted by performance and contribution. Raises are poor in relation to workload and objectives expectations. Communication is poor and untimely, and facts are heavily watered down. There's a general sense of distrust and foreboding. Key information to doing one's job is compartmentalized and siloed so one works is in a vacuum. Compensation is out of line with hours of wirk and amount of work expected -- no work-life balance.

Explore other reviews about Genentech

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All