Hypocrisy - IT Programmer Analyst Genentech Employee Review

1.0
Jan 9, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Not very demanding. There is hardly any accountability so it's easy to cruise along without working very hard (even after the recent reductions).

Cons

The department leadership in IT is the worst I have ever experienced by a country mile. CIO prides himself on identifying junior leaders with "potential", but has such a poor track record for the much easier task of hiring/aggressively promoting proven talent for senior management positions (many of which are total failures and he ultimately has to lay off just in order to save his own neck). Quite a few significant contributors have been overlooked for leadership opportunities (even a number of people that Genentech has paid to put through MBA programs), while others with no track record or demonstrated ability get fast tracked (and ultimately fail due to their lack of experience).

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5.0
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Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
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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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