~3% raise after promotions in PR&D!! Recruiters (HR) for both external candidates and internal candidates are rude. - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

4.0
May 31, 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people, very nice to know I am doing my bit to save lives, good benefits (like stock options, 2% 401K contribution regardless of your contributions plus additional 5% match), lots of classes by the CareerLab, training and development, decent cafeterias, gym etc.

Cons

Took away Employee Stock Purchase Plan (stock at a 15% discount), don't know what will happen to benefits in 2010. Very low increase after promotions - you will get maybe 6-7 % including cost of living. Promotions are hard to come by. Recruiters will tell you "this is the salary we pay and it is non-negotiable" and then a few months later you will get a market increase!!! Happened to me twice once when I was an external candidate and another time when I changed jobs internally! But at least someone internally is fair - to do the market increase! Whats up with that? Why not be nice and fair during salary negotiation? That is very demotivating.

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5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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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
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